What a great day, its Friday, the weather is cool and the sun is out…….All is right in the world today. I am working from home today getting my menu’s in order for school to start, my first full day feeding my girls will be on Thursday September 9th, It’s going to be so much fun this year. It’s really a blessing to love what you do, I have always enjoyed cooking and have found pleasure in all of my jobs, even though some were too stressful, and then there was my forced retirement because of my carpal tunnel surgeries, when I was told I couldn’t do this type of work anymore, or did they shouldn’t……hmmm, I forget. I was a manager for about 5 years having minimal contact with food, but if you haven’t been able to tell, I am a control kind of person, a true chef…..lol……and if the chef that worked for me wasn’t up to my standards, we had problems…..sigh…….so I found my way back into the kitchen, so my hands a little numb, oh well it could be worse. At least I’m loving my job.
So enough of ramblings, lets move on to why everyone’s here today. Turkish Orange Eggplant, need I say more…….I showed you these little beauties in my last post with an idea in mind, but needless to say , it didn’t quite come out the way I planned……but we’ll get to that in a little bit. So after scrambling to come up with an idea of how to best use these little beauties, it hit me yesterday with the clarity of my restaurant days! I would stuff them…….an aha moment!! I do love my aha moments, I was going to make a vegetable stuffed rice for them, I put my rice on to cook, and started to cut and scoop out my little eggplants. Then I had another aha moment, and let me tell you it was a good one!!!!! I would have served these in my restaurant and people would have loved them! Again, it’s not like I’m reinventing the wheel, it’ just being well read, not being afraid to try things and sometimes fail, and a little thinking a little outside the box.
I think if I have a gift it’s blending flavors, knowing without knowing what will go well together, so not really having any idea of what I was doing I started adding to my stuffing. I thought raisins, (I had golden raisins, even better), I thought pistachio’s ( I guess you’ve figured out I love pistachio’s), of course it had to have some caramelized onion, and there was the eggplant from inside those little beauties. I was getting ready to season them, keep it simple Dennis, and as I went in my pantry I saw it……unopened, beckoning me……have you forgotten me Dennis, I was meant to be used, not stored…..sigh……yes my friend I had forgotten you. Nile Dukka, my local Wegman’s had provided me with another Kula seasoning. I had read about Dukka (Egyptian Seasoning) and I think I even had a recipe for making it, and had wanted to try it at school, so when I saw the seasoning at Wegman’s I thought it would be a good way to get acquainted with it. For those of you unfamiliar with it, it is a blend of ground hazelnuts, sesame seeds, salt, coriander, cumin, black pepper, and cinnamon, how good does that sound. I have to say it smelled heavenly, I added some barrel aged feta, and also some low fat Greek Yogurt and I was in business……I had some green chili sauce in my pantry and i used that as a base to bake my little stuffed beauties, and it was a good choice. Now I know what your saying, chef I’m appalled, you didn’t roast your own Chile’s and make your very own green chili sauce. I know, bad chef…..but there are only so many hours in the day, and sometimes you find good products that make life easier…the green chili sauce was one of them. So here are my Stuffed Turkish Orange Eggplants.
Stuffed Turkish Orange Eggplants
2 cups cooked rice or grain of your choice
1 cup chopped Eggplant (insides of the one your stuffing, get rid of seedy parts)
1/2 cup chopped onion
1 clove garlic chopped
1/2 cup golden raisins
1/2 cup chopped pistachio’s
1 Tablespoon finely chopped Cilantro
1/2 Tsp Sea Salt
2 Tbsp Nile Dukka
1/4 cup Barrel Aged Feta (or any feta)
1/2 cup Low Fat Greek Yogurt
In a sauté pan, add some olive oil and sauté your onion, eggplant and garlic for a few minutes, then add the raisins, pistachio’s, salt, dukka and cilantro. Let this mixture cook for 2-3 minutes then add your cooked rice to your mixture and blend it all together. (other grains would work too, I think Quinoa might be really good with this!),
Remove from heat add in your Greek yogurt and feta and set aside to cool.
When your mixture has cooled stuff your eggplants with it and make a nice mound on top.
Find a baking dish that will hold everything upright and not allow them to fall over, add your can of Green Chili sauce tot the baking dish and place all your eggplants in the dish. Cover with foil and bake for about 30 minutes, uncover and bake an additional 10 minutes.
This would be a great filling for tomatoes, zucchini, or any other stuff-able vegetable you might want to use, you may just need to adjust your baking time.
These Turkish Eggplant were certainly a hit with my wife’s family, they looked great, no one had ever seen one before, and the spices blended perfectly, there was some heat to it, but it was a tasty heat, not overwhelming at all. The eggplant itself was a little bitter when raw, but cooked well and absorbed flavors well. I will definitely use the stuffing again, and most definitely use dukka at school, my girls will love it!
Now for the second part of my post. I had originally decided to use the Orange Turkish Eggplant as a topping for a Goat Cheese Tart. I had seen a gorgeous tart from Victoria @ Le Petit Plats de Victoria she had made a zucchini goat cheese tart, with a wonderful shortbread crust and I thought it would be great with Grilled Eggplant!! The shortbread crust intrigued me, so I pulled out my food processor and whipped up a few batches of dough, it was certainly simple enough, the only addition I made was to add fresh herbs to the flour before mixing in the butter, pulsing it to mix it well throughout the flour.
I made two crusts, one with fresh Basil which I did a sliced Tomato topping on, and one with fresh Rosemary and fresh Thyme that I did the Turkish Orange Eggplant on.
Goat Cheese Tart
Crust
2 1/4 cups All Purpose Flour
3/4 cup chilled Butter cut into pieces (original recipe said softened butter)
1/4 tsp salt
1 Tbsp fresh chopped herbs ( use more if you like)
1/4 cup Ice Water
1 Large Egg (lightly beaten)
1 Tbsp Balsamic Vinegar
in your food processor add flour, salt and fresh herbs, pulse until herbs are well blended throughout the flour.
add chilled butter and pulse until you get soft crumbs, add ice water and pulse again 4 or 5 times.
remove from the food processor and add your egg and balsamic vinegar, work these in by hand. (I’m not really sure why but the original recipe said to). Chill your dough for about 30 minutes so its easy to work with.
Goat Cheese Filling
6 oz Goat Cheese
3 oz of Feta
1/4 cup of Low Fat Greek Yogurt
2 Large Eggs
salt and pepper to taste
Mix together all your ingredients till smooth. This can be done ahead of time and placed in the refrigerator.
Set up your tart crust, either free form or in a tart pan of your choice, (the shortbread recipe should give you enough for two regular sized tarts, my free form tarts were huge) . Flour your working area and roll out your dough to a circle, or just use your hands to form it. The recipe did not call for it, but I would bake the shell for about 10 minutes, the center of my free form tart just wasn’t cooked enough. Then top the tart with your goat cheese mixture and vegetable of your choice, I grilled the Turkish Orange Eggplant first, but my tomatoes were raw. Bake your tart at 350 degrees for 15-20 minutes depending upon your topping.
I cooked the tarts on my pizza stone, I don’t know if that made any difference, and the one problem I had was my dough was too thick, even as large as I had made the tarts. That’s why I suggested rolling it out and using tart pans. The rosemary / thyme dough was incredible, the basil didn’t really come out in the dough as well (maybe adding sundried tomatoes to it would help). I only really had one problem with my finished product that I couldn’t overcome and hadn’t anticipated, and it was a biggie…….my wife doesn’t like goat cheese…..sigh…..she thought it was ricotta, took a big bite, and the expression on her face told it all.
Now if you do like goat cheese, you will love these tarts, especially with the shortbread dough, which she did like. Again my only suggestion would be to make these in tart pans, an oblong one would even be nice if you had one, and to make the dough thinner on the bottom, just make like you would make a normal tart. The recipe should make enough dough for regular size two round tarts. The original recipe called for straight goat cheese, but you know me and I had to add my own touch, so I added some of the barrel aged feta I had and some low-fat Greek yogurt.
They were very good and worth making, I added a little mozzarella and basil for the last 5 minutes of baking on my Tomato Tart, and you can’t see it but I added a little marinara on top of the goat cheese under the eggplant on my eggplant tart. Feel free to experiment with your own variations!
Emily Malloy says
I think I'm in love.
A Thought For Food says
Both of these look incredible! My mouth is literally watering (I think I need to eat something). We've been getting a lot of eggplant in our CSA box, so I'll have to try this out!
Dionne Baldwin says
I've never seen these purdy little eggplants but I'll have to check at the market! I'm going to use your tart recipe tonight for dinner. We were going to have hum drum veggie pizza but I think if I make your crust and goat cheese and call it a tart it'll sound more "fahn-cy"! 🙂 Thanks for sharing.
allie says
I love all of this- every picture, recipe, combination, just amazing! I've actually have only eaten eggplant once, so I need to expand my horizons and try these! Thank you for sharing!
My Man's Belly says
These eggplant are gorgeous! I'm definitely going to be looking for them at the market.
And I love the recipe for the tart crust. Going to have to put that in my 'to make' list for sure.
~Lisa~ says
Chef the pizza's are amazing! And those beautiful stuffed eggplants sound delicious. I love the flavor combinations. Hope your new school year starts off right and the menu planning I hope is going well. Your girls probably miss you. Good luck with the after school program too (=
All That I'm Eating says
Those little eggplants look so good. I have never seen them, maybe it's worth trying to grow them so I can get my hands on them!
Susi says
I would certainly order both of those in a restaurant. Gorgeous pictures!
Indonesia Eats says
I have eaten green and purple eggplants, but not the orange one. New to me. Thanks for sharing this wonderful recipe.
Pacheco Patty says
For a bad chef you did good;-) What beautiful little eggplants, unique, never seen them in the market before!
Have a nice weekend:-)
Joy says
All of that looks so good. Do you want to come over and cook for me?
Louanne says
Oh my gosh, that tart has me drooling! Eggplants are one my fave veggies!
Sage says
WOW! You are a true culinary artist!and your photos are so so real! Love to come here.
Pam says
I love goat cheese, so the tarts sound fantastic. What also sounds great is that seasoning mix – I'm going to have to look for it!
Prairie Story says
I have never heard of or seen turkish orange egg plant before. They look amazing!!! I'm heading to a local farmers market.. I wonder if they are grown this far north?
~Prarie Story …care of Alison Zulyniak
mangiabella says
golden raisins…mmmmm…..the combination of flavors….fabuloso! mouth watering is right! absolute amore!! and i love the photos – you have blessed us Chef D!
lequan@luvtoeat says
Oh my Chef Dennis, everytime I drop by your blog, my stomach growls. You make such beautiful creations and sure have a gift for finding the right combination of ingredients. Both dishes look amazing. Sorry your wife wasn't too thrilled with the goat cheese. It does take some getting used to doesn't it? I've actually never seen these eggplants where I live, so interesting. Although I may have seen them and thought they were tomatoes haha. Have a great weekend!
ELIANA-Coisas Boas da Vida says
I've never seen these purdy little eggplants but I'll have to check at the market!
I have eaten purple eggplants!
Thanks for sharing.
Have a nice weekend:-)
From the Kitchen says
I'd like to sit right down and pick up a fork! The recipes and photos, both, are wonderful. Thanks for another great addition to my blogcookery book.
Best,
bonnie
the constant hunger says
What beautiful little eggplants. I wonder how the taste differs from the regular large purple variety I'm accustomed to. And once again, your photos are gorgeous. What kind of lighting do you use?
Wendy Irene says
I love that you love what you do! That is very inspiring. Not only do I enjoy coming here to see your great recipes, I adore your photos. Are you a food photographer in your spare time? Any tips you can share for taking great food photos? You do an amazing job!
Pam says
You just so impress me with your way around the kitchen and your mix of ingredients in recipes. The eggplant sounds delicious and so does the tart. Good luck your school endeavors!
Samantha Angela @ Bikini Birthday says
I've never heard of Nile Dukka but it sounds like a really great spice combo. I can imagine having it with lamb :d
Nesrine says
Hi chef…that is a very good recipe really. but I have a small comment, I am Egyptian and I am not sur eif dukka contain hazelnuts..just because dukka is a type of seasoning poor people invented to eat it with bread..and hazelnuts ia a bit expensive for them…am a big fan of yours ..and am proud to be one of your friend son foodbuzz.
Nesrine.
Michael Toa says
I'm glad you are enjoying your Friday and loving what you do. I love every single ingredient for the stuffed eggplant. I never had orange eggplant before, but I'm sure it's delicious.
And the tart? Yum. I'm crazy for goat's cheese.
Enjoy the rest of your day. Michael
Allie and Pattie says
Dennis, I have been on the hunt for those eggplants since your last post- I will not give up!! I may just have to find some plants and grow them myself next year! Your stuffing sounds heavenly- I will be trying that
xoxo Pattie
Lora @cakeduchess says
Gorgeous!Those photos are amazing.Those pizzas!Those eggplants.I need to try some soon!
LaDivaCucina says
You have fabulous choices at your Farmer's Markets don't you Chef? I've never seen these sunny little eggplants before! These look incredible! I love dukkah too and eat it on hummus! Gorgeous!
Tanantha @ I Just Love My Apron says
I think you and I can get along well on a dining table 🙂 I too like pistachio and caramelized onion! I also like an "aha" moment. It feels good! You dressed up those cutie eggplant balls beautifully. The tart looks amazing too. Ugh. I'm craving for those!
Bridgett says
Beautiful! These would be an instant favorite. I will have to keep an eye out for these little eggplants.
Spoon and Chopsticks says
Orange eggplants are new to me. Never seen them before.
The pizza looks great!
Jennifurla says
PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE come over to sandiego to feed me! I love every recipe you post!
Brownieville Girl says
Those stuffed aubergines (eggplants) could just be the most beautiful food I have ever seen!!!!
You're making me hungre (and I've just finished dinner!!!)
Jess @ Bakericious says
both looks incredible! How I wish I can find such lovely eggplants over in my country…
Subterfuge Diva says
Dennis, my parents lived in Egypt for a couple of years but whenever I visited, I'd never come across Nile Dukka. How very strange that was, and thanks so much for educating me on this interesting seasoning! Apparently, the carpal tunnel syndrome has done nothing to affect your abilities in the kitchen. All these three featured dishes look, sound and I bet, TASTE incredible!
Torviewtoronto says
these look so delicious
Julie M. says
Holy stuffed peppers batman! Those eggplants look almost too pretty to eat! I did say almost. 🙂 I am such a lover of goat cheese as well so your tarts strike a perfect cord with me. I never fail to be amazed at the creations you come up with. Beautiful work as always Dennis!
BEAR's Mom says
You had me with the seasoning ingredients…before i got a look at the pictures…be still my heart 😀
~victoria~
Debbie says
That tart looks fabulous, probably because it does look like pizza and pizza is my weakness. Thanks and looking forward to hearing what you've got planned for the school year!
Jean says
Those Turkish eggplants are gorgeous–even had my husband exclaiming the same. And the tart–incredible. You can never do wrong in the kitchen, I say.
Marisa says
Chef Dennis,those eggplants are so beautiful.I've never seen them in real life before but I loved them since I saw them in your last post. I should have known you would have something awesome up your sleeve planned for them. Two great creations!
Chef Dennis says
I am so glad everyone is enjoying this post!! Nile Dukka is just this companies brand of Dukka and their seems to be many variations of Dukka, if you google it you will find many recipes you can try your hand at home. I will be making one for school, since it would be too expensive to buy that much…..when I do I will post it!
Hope everyone has a great weekend!
Dennis
Lynn @ I'll Have What She's Having says
Those eggplants look amazing! I wish I had your intuition for combining flavours. Until I figure that out I'll just have to keep coming here for recipes!
citymouse says
All of these look wonderful. I really need to more with stuffed veggies. My mother always made stuffed peppers, which I didn't like as a child and really don't like now. There are countless options… I just need to think outside the box.
As a HUGE goat cheese fan, I will definitely be making these tarts.
Magda @ Be Nutritious says
Nice, both look amazing, I've never seen these eggplants anywhere. Do they taste like regular eggplant?
TREAT AND TRICK says
Wow..the orange egglant is so attractive and you made it more beautiful with your creation…
Organic Warrior says
Oh those eggplants make me So happy! I hope I find some!
intuitive eggplant says
Wow, I've never seen or heard of orange eggplants before. Both dishes look and sound fantastic! A question about pistachios, which I too love: Do you find them already shelled, or do you shell them yourself? I've generally found them only in the shell, but maybe there are other options? Or maybe taste is preferable if you shell them yourself? Best of luck getting back into the school groove with your girls!
The Cilantropist says
Wow, both of those recipes sound fabulous, although if I had to choose I would love to have a bite of one of those eggplants, SO unique! And I think you do have a gift for blending flavors, that was definitely an inspired filling! 🙂
foodies at home says
Absolutely inspiring! I have never seen such an eggplant before! Sorry the tart didn't come out but I bet it tasted great anyway!
Claudia says
You are so cruel – the likelihood of those eggplants showing up anywhere near me is nil. And then that Egyptian seasoning. Now – THAT I have to get. Glad you ended with the delectable goat cheese tart (does that ever look good, thick crust or no) – because I can do that!
Jackie says
Oh my, too good Dennis. Both of these things just look so amazingly incredible. Dammit, I'm in bed and now I'm hungry! These are your skills as a chef – makin' a girl hungry just as she's about to drop off to sleep 😉
Jax x
scrambledhenfruit says
I've never seen eggplants like these- they're gorgeous! You've prepared them beautifully.
5 Star Foodie says
Those turkish eggplants are so neat! You prepared them beautifully with the stuffing, and I also love the goat cheese tart, yum!
Jacqueline says
Wow, where do I start, I want a taste of each. The tarts sound fantastic and the crust looks great. I am a great fan of goat cheese.
What beautiful eggplants, I have never seen those before and the presentation is fantastic.
Monet says
Ryan was watching the Daily Show, and I made him pause the episode to come and look at this! I'm going to have to try and track down some of that Egyptian spice blend and those eggplants. And I love the crust you did with that tart. I think the balsamic vinegar is a wonderful idea, and something that I've never tried. Ryan and I are adjusting well to Texas, and your sweet words are so encouraging. Thanks my friend!
Cookie Sleuth says
I have never seen Turkish orange eggplants. How you prepared them looks amazing! I'm sure your students can tell how much you enjoy your work, and it makes a difference…
The Mom Chef says
Oh my heavens, that looks fantastic. Both recipes. I'm coming over for dinner.
Jenn says
What lucky students you have. I wish we had classes like yours in high school… I believe I would have found my one true love, cooking, earlier in life! As always, your food looks and sounds amazing. I bet you could even get my boyfriend to eat the stuffed eggplants!
tasteofbeirut says
What beauties! I love these and wish I could taste both the tart and the stuffed ones! They look amazing!
jelena says
It is so nice to see someone so excited about their work and the impact they have. Such passion, and you need passion, 'cause food can't be prepared without it and without love and a kind heart. I don't like eating things when they are prepared in the kitchen where there is no love for the food and love for the people! It's the little extras that make all the difference. How lucky are those girls. They will remember this period and be sure your legacy will live on!
Katerina says
I love tarts and yours looks versy colorful and tasty. And these stuffed eggplants remind me of our Greek Gemista which are tomatoes and peppers stuffed with rice, ground meat and herbs. Thanks for stopping by my blog you gave me the chance to meet yours which is beautiful and educative. I will be following.
Morellocherry says
i really love this dish and i LOVE, LOVE the colours!! They're so autumn-y! They really get me in the mood for fall! The recipes seem so easy too, especially for the tart, this is something i could definitely do!
tickledred says
Hi Dennis,
Those Turkish eggplants are simply beautiful! I have never found any around here or that divine Durkka spice you described so well. As always your food looks delicious and inspires me. I am on a hunt for that spice now.
Red
Stella says
Hey Dennis! Those eggplants are so pretty. I've never seen them, except here on your site. I'll know what they are though now if I ever do…
Oh, and the way you stuffed them sounds really delicious. I don't have Nile Duka (spelling?), but I make ras el hanout all the time. I bet it would work as a substitute. Maybe I'll use your stuffing in peppers or another type of eggplant…
Oops, pretty pizza too. I can't look at it too long though. I've found that since I've been avoiding sugars, I crave pizza a lot. No bueno (smile)!
Recipe for Delicious says
Goat cheese tarts are heaven. I like the inclusion of feta!
Kristen says
I don't know which I like better, the stuffed eggplants or the tarts. Both sound and look delicious.
SavoringTime in the Kitchen says
I've never seen such beautiful eggplants and I love what you've done with them. Lovely photos!
~Susan
My Little Space says
Your stuffed tomatoes look absolutely gorgeous and lucious, and so is the tart! I think most leaders are the same, quite particular in some way. haha… But that's the only way how's the high end product is produced. As a leader, you're expecting everything is perfect. Hope you're enjoying your day and all the best.
Blessings, kristy
Angie's Recipes says
They all look very delish! I am totally enticed with those stuffed orange eggplants…looking simply gorgeous.
Gloria says
I think these Trkish Orange Eggplants are adorabke and yummy!!I think you are fantastic in this, you know Dennis is like swimm you never forget it! come on, you cook delicious! gloria
Gloria says
Your pictures are fantatsic! yummy gloria
JillyAn says
WOW WOW WOW!!! You are playing my song with those stuffed Eggplant. THey look amazing…and of course, they have FETA! Beautiful pictures as well Dennis. Have a great year at school this year…as I'm sure you will.
MaryMoh says
Phew…what a big relief I didn't work with you! Otherwise I'll get lectures from you everyday I'm sure….haha. I love to cut corners 😛 By the way, love those beautiful orange eggplants. They are even awesome as decorations. Love the dish that you cook with them. The tarts look very delicious too. Thanks very much for sharing. Hope you have a lovely weekend. Mary.
alison says
i saw here for the first time orange eggplants,look so vibrant!and your tart-pizza with veggies or cheese looks unbelievable!beautiful post!
Rick says
I would die for that tart.
Lisa {Authentic Suburban Gourmet } says
Never seen those little orange eggplants – thank you for introducing them. Love the recipe!!!
Nirmala says
Gorgeous. Your food is always gorgeous, creative and fun. I have not tried tarts and I think I should. Now I juste need to get a pan.
Drick says
what a treat, nice blend of seasonings and the crunch of the nuts with the sweetness on the fruit, just great – rice never had such good company… and the tarts look amazing…
Chef Bee says
That pizza looks amazing. Thanks for sharing and your pictures are great.
Plan B
Eileen says
Those look delicious! Very eye catching too. Thanks for sharing.
Eden says
Hello,
I just found your blog and I love your creativity! I did a post on my own blog a little while back on eggplant desserts! Your turkish ones look gorgeous! If only I could find them in my area! I think people dont realize how versatile eggplants can be. We used them a lot in culinary school, but I find most home cooks never buy them. I'm glad youve put them in the spotlight
Hannah says
Incredible, I've never seen eggplants like this before! They're gorgeous, both raw and in your tempting tart.
Marcellina says
I love stuffed eggplants and yours sound fantastic! I have never seen these particular eggplants but they are perfect to stuff. And your tarts make my mouth water!
baking.serendipity says
I love the stuffed eggplant, but seriously have my eyes on that tart. It looks delicious! Enjoy preparing for the new school year 🙂 I'm jealous of your late start date! I'm three weeks into teaching already this year!
Kelsey says
i get so excited seeing new types of produce for the first time. im always on the lookout but im not sure ive ever seen turkish orange eggplant! im guessing it must taste similar to the purple varieties… they remind me a bit of tomatoes tho.. hmmm they sure look FANTASTIC on tarts/pizzas 🙂
Michelle says
Mmmm yum – on both counts. I LOVE goat cheese, and now I have a taste for my goat cheese pizza. Thank a lot….
But I have to ask – what is barrel aged feta? I've never heard of that one, and I'm guessing never eaten it – but of course I'm intrigued!
Ashley says
I HAVE to try this Goat Cheese Tart! It looks amazing 🙂
Kaz says
I've never seen orange eggplants before seeing them on your blog! How neat! Once again, you create culinary genius. I love the sweet/savory/tart/crunchy combination. I'd have to leave out the dairy, but I could definitely make this to fit around my food intolerances! Thanks for another delicious post, Dennis! =)
Sushma Mallya says
They look so gorgeous,so yum
Ameena says
I'm not sure why I've never heard of Turkish Orange Eggplants but I am absolutely mesmerized by these. How can you have not just one but three fantastic recipes in just one post? I am so impressed!
I am glad your hands are in better shape…I can relate to the carpal tunnel! My hands are killing me!! And yet I keep typing away…
Trissa says
You surely have a great talent of melding flavours together – I always come to your blog for inspiration… how I wish I had access to these eggplants. And as for loving your job – am so glad you do. Nothing's worse than spending days doing something you hate!
Sweet Artichoke says
OMG, these eggplants are amazing. I believe that from now on, I will be visiting every single market in my region to try to find these! The stuffing sounds delicious.
grace says
wow, dennis, i LOVE the things you chose to stuff into your unique little eggplants! that tart is awfully appetizing as well. good stuff, sir!
Gree says
I have never heard of Nile Dukka, but it sounds divine, especially in those gorgeous stuffed eggplants. You are truly an artist Dennis, those goat cheese tarts made me want to eat the screen!
Grace says
I've never noticed these at the market, not sure we can even get them in our neck of the woods, they look delicious! Dennis would you serve these to the girls, just wondering if my two would be open to trying it out. They are usually pretty good about trying everything.
Polly Motzko says
Hello Chef Dennis,
You always put a big smile on my face when I see your amazing and always beautifully presented dishes. 🙂
I saw it on Chef Ryan Boudreaux's page on Facebook and it caught my attention, and it turned out to be yours. He loved it and is telling his friends. 🙂
I have never seen anything like some of the produce you come up with here, though I know it is here…just haven't located it YET. 😉 I take it that is a spice you refer to as "____Duka" I have never heard of that or a "shortbread crust". Interesting and it looks really great.
It is so incredible and POWERFUL how the internet is like a massive loudspeaker for the world. That is why I take so much TIME in what I write and present "out there in cyberspace."
I have a link for you that I just put up:
http://cookingupastorminca.ning.com/profiles/blogs/farfalle-with-sun-dried-tomato
Sun Dried Tomatoes, some of my Poached Garlic-that seems to be going over big with 3 of my friends and their families…a little extra virgin olive oil and Chablis wine with a little 2% evaporated milk-or heavy cream-makes the sauce.
Hope you like it.
God bless and I will email you when I get a chance.
Paulette Le Pore Motzko
comfortfoodieadventures says
Absolutely beautiful! I need to eat something before I start devouring my laptop screen. I've never seen Turkish Orange Eggplants, they look amazing. As for the goat cheese tart, I think it would be the end of my lactose intolerant little self, but it may be worth it…
M
Lauren @ Delicateflavor says
I have never seen these eggplants before. They look beautiful! I will have to look for them in my local Farmers' market.
Ruth says
hey Chef, thank you for stopping by my blog! what an awesome blog this is.. i'm so in love…:)
A new follower now..:-))
Mo says
Your food is so beautiful, Dennis! 🙂
Tes says
Chef,
I love this recipe! It's very beautiful and healthy. I feel so good about this 🙂
Mgoh says
geez…I'm drooling!!! looks AWESOME!!!
dmcgirl says
I actually grew those last year and didn't know what to do with them! I had a patio garden going, but this year I decided to take some time off from growing, too much work! But oh now I wish I had some because you make them look so wonderful, stuffed and pizza! You do have a gift for sure!
Kim at Rustic Garden Bistro says
Don't you just LOVE "aha" moments? I love the moment when you get the spark of an idea, regardless of whether or not they work out. [K]
Karen says
I've never seen these eggplants – they're beautiful! Love the stuffing – will try a version with some homegrown tomatoes in the next few days.. thanks 🙂
SMITH BITES says
Have never seen those eggplants before but man oh man, are those just gorgeous – and that stuffing is fabulous too! And what's not to love about pizza? Not a darn thing – another great one Chef!
Samantha @ The Savvy Soybean says
Those eggplants are out of this world!! Your food always looks so fresh and fantastic.. I love that you post so many veg-friendly recipes. I'm definitely bookmarking these, as I have so many others from you. Thanks!
Raina says
I have never seen these eggplant. I would have probably thought they were little pumpkins if I had..lol Thanks for enlightening me. Two amazingly delicious looking dishes. Thanks for sharing:)
a. maren says
holy shamoley, these look lovely! that goat cheese tart had me drooling! and such beautiful colors…
penny aka jeroxie says
I love the look of these eggplants. They don't have it downunder… a pity.
A SPICY PERSPECTIVE says
Wow, they both look amazing! I've never seen this sort of eggplant–they're so pretty! And the goat cheese tart sounds divine!
Gitte says
Turkish Orange Eggplant. I have never seen them before but they are beautiful, I can't get over the colors. Both of your dishes look delicious, thanks for sharing.
Meg (The Red Spoon) says
Wow! I've never heard of an orange eggplant! These look great!
whatsfordinneracrossstatelines says
Amazing as usual! Love the stuffing, I love all the different elements combined and the pizzas, yum! The girls sure are lucky to have you teaching them! Have a great day!
-Gina-
amanda says
These look amaaaazing! I can't wait to try the tart out…
Foodessa says
Dennis…it's truly getting excessively difficult to visit you on an empty stomach. What can I say…I'd have this for breakfast, lunch and dinner…absolutely tantalizing!!!
Now, I'm convinced I should start using the Doukka spice too ;o)
Ciao for now,
Claudia
fortheloveofyum says
I always love checking up on your blog, your recipes are so very unique and eye catching. I've never heard of orange eggplants and am quite intrigued by them!
Salsa Verde says
The orange eggplants look so delicious and the tart… I LOVE goat's cheese. What a great combination!!
Cheers,
Lia.
denise @ quickies on the dinner table says
I have never seen these beautiful eggplants before but I'd buy them in a hearbeat, if I did!
Love the goat cheese tart though everything else looks incredible, expecially the salsa. You are making me so hungry, it's almost criminal!!
Victoria says
I'm verry happy that my zucchini goat cheese tart gave you the idea to create this delicious recipe!!!
Linda V @ Bubble and Sweet says
You always manage to get the prettiest produce, just so gorgeous to look at.
Cristina says
Chef: You create some of the most beautiful and tasty looking food. The Stuffed Turkish Eggplants look so festive (at first glance, they look like little pumpkins) and must be delectable bites. Interesting that Nile Dukka seasoning and anything with feta has my vote.
Would luv a slice of that goat cheese tart for dinner right now! 😉
Yenta Mary says
I've never seen the beautiful little orange eggplants — they're gorgeous! And stuffing them was inspired … sigh … 🙂
Candace says
Every time that I stop by over here I get hungry! And I just ate! I have never seen Turkish Eggplants before. What a beautiful vegetable.
Candace
cristina says
Hi Chef Dennis!! I was looking for info on the Turkish Orange eggplants and your blog came up! Beautiful post with inspiring ideas on how to use it and now looking forward to growing these (if possible!). 🙂
Chef Dennis Littley says
Thanks for letting me know Cristina, I hope my post was helpful!
Catherine Edwards says
I was looking for a recipe for the gorgeous little orange eggplants that I grew and found all these great ideas. Small little things, I almost thought I did not let them grow enough. I ended up baking them with a little coconut oil and no seasoning salt for lack of know how to doll them up. They were very, very tasty and I am so thrilled they grew in my garden. God is so good! He gives perfect gifts to His children. AMEN! & has blessed you with your artist gifts!
Anja says
Bardzo się cieszę, że znalazłam te przepisy. Sadzę Red Turkish co roku i zawsze długo myślę co z nich ugotować. Wcześniej traktowałam je jako ozdobę mojego warzywnego ogrodu.
I am very happy that I found your recipes. Every year I have a red Turkish in my vegetable garden and I always think for a long time what to cook from them. Previously, they were just an decoration of my vegetable garden.
Chef Dennis Littley says
I hope you enjoy them Anja!