Spicy Grilled Eggplant Risoni Bake
I love being a little family; having Lu has filled our life with so much joy and I can't believe she is now close to seven months old. How time disappears! And yes, it has been far too long between recipes here. I really need to get my cooking and blogging groove back and here for you all today is a very simple and tasty family veggie recipe. Risoni is a lovely ingredient with a great texture that's perfect for a pasta bake. A simple tomato sauce brings together the wonderful smoky flavor of grilled eggplant with oregano and fresh roasted tomatoes. It's a quick and super simple vegetarian recipe perfect for a midweek family meal. Try zucchini or capsicum (bell peppers) instead of the eggplant if you prefer and be sure to use lovely sweet cherry tomatoes for the very best flavor. Add a vegetarian feta or parmesan cheese if you like for a melty, gooey, cheesy topping. Serve up with crusty bread and enjoy with love from our kitchen to yours
I love being a little family; having Lu has filled our life with so much joy and I can't believe she is now close to seven months old. How time disappears! And yes, it has been far too long between recipes here. I really need to get my cooking and blogging groove back and here for you all today is a very simple and tasty family veggie recipe. Risoni is a lovely ingredient with a great texture that's perfect for a pasta bake. A simple tomato sauce brings together the wonderful smoky flavor of grilled eggplant with oregano and fresh roasted tomatoes. It's a quick and super simple vegetarian recipe perfect for a midweek family meal. Try zucchini or capsicum (bell peppers) instead of the eggplant if you prefer and be sure to use lovely sweet cherry tomatoes for the very best flavor. Add a vegetarian feta or parmesan cheese if you like for a melty, gooey, cheesy topping. Serve up with crusty bread and enjoy with love from our kitchen to yours
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 bay leaf
- 2 tbs olive oil
- 1 large celery stick finely diced
- 1 large carrot finely diced
- 11/2 cups risoni
- 31/2 cups vegetable stock
- 3 cups passata
- 2 tbs tomato paste
- 1/3 cup kalamata olives pitted and squashed (optional)
- 3-4 lebanese eggplants halved lengthways
- 1/2-1 tsp harissa paste (optional)
- 4-5 whole cherry tomatoes
- a few slices of red onion
- sprigs of fresh oregano
- Carbohydrate 94.8720051309065 g
- Cholesterol 0 mg
- Fat 3.50872331965666 g
- Fiber 2.4489892024972 g
- Protein 3.29676810314927 g
- Saturated Fat 0.417022155265417 g
- Serving Size 1 1 Serving (5543g)
- Sodium 22426.3334761166 mg
- Sugar 92.4230159284093 g
- Trans Fat 0.631378659492459 g
- Calories 410 calories
Step-by-step
- Preheat the oven to 180°C/356°F
- Fry the diced celery and carrot in a little olive oil over a medium heat until softened. Add the garlic and fry for a minute more.
- Add the risoni, stock, passata, tomato paste and bay leaf. Increase heat and bring to a gentle simmer. Allow to cook for about 5 minutes, stirring frequently.
- Meanwhile combine the olive oil and harissa in a small bowl. Brush the cut side of the eggplant with the harissa and olive oil mixture.
- Heat a small amount of oil in a grill pan, barbeque or frying pan. Place the eggplant on the grill cut side down and brush with remaining harissa and olive oil mixture. Grill eggplant over a medium/high heat until golden then turn and repeat on the other side. Remove from the grill and set aside.
- Remove the bay leaf and transfer the risoni mixture into a large casserole dish (there should still be a reasonable amount of liquid at this stage). Top with slices of grilled eggplant, tuck in the whole cherry tomatoes and scatter over the slices of onion and sprigs of oregano. Drizzle with olive oil and bake in the pre-heated oven for 30-40 minutes until all the liquid is absorbed and vegetables nicely roasted.
- Enjoy as a lovely warming family meal with crusty bread.
A Simple Weeknight Delight: Spicy Grilled Eggplant Risoni Bake
As a busy mom, finding time to cook a delicious and nutritious meal for my family can sometimes feel like a marathon. Between juggling work, motherhood, and trying to maintain a semblance of sanity, simple recipes that don't compromise on flavor are my absolute lifesavers. This Spicy Grilled Eggplant Risoni Bake is exactly that – a quick, easy, and surprisingly satisfying dish that the whole family will devour.
The beauty of this recipe lies in its versatility. You can easily adapt it to suit your preferences and what you have on hand. Don't have eggplant? Zucchini or bell peppers work just as well, offering a slightly different flavor profile. Feeling fancy? Top it with a sprinkle of vegetarian feta or parmesan for an extra layer of cheesy goodness. The possibilities are truly endless! And the best part? It’s incredibly forgiving. If you slightly overcook or undercook a component, it's not going to ruin the entire dish.
One of my favorite things about this recipe is the way the smoky char of the grilled eggplant perfectly complements the rich tomato sauce and tender risoni. The harissa paste adds a subtle kick that wakes up your taste buds without being overwhelming. It's the perfect balance of sweet, savory, and a little bit spicy.
Beyond the Recipe: A Midweek Mealtime Ritual
For me, cooking isn't just about putting food on the table; it's about creating a comforting ritual for my family. The aroma of the roasting vegetables filling our kitchen as the sun sets is a small moment of happiness in our busy lives. We often gather around the table, sharing stories and laughter as we enjoy this simple yet flavorful meal. These seemingly small moments are the building blocks of our family memories. They're more valuable than any expensive restaurant dinner.
Tips and Variations:
- Spice it up: Add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the tomato sauce for extra heat.
- Herby goodness: Experiment with different herbs. Basil, thyme, or rosemary would all be fantastic additions.
- Make it a complete meal: Serve with a side salad for a lighter option, or with crusty bread for dipping into the delicious sauce.
- Prep ahead: You can chop the vegetables and prepare the risoni mixture ahead of time, making weeknight cooking a breeze.
This Spicy Grilled Eggplant Risoni Bake is more than just a recipe; it's a testament to the power of simple, wholesome ingredients and the joy of sharing a delicious meal with loved ones. I hope it becomes a regular in your kitchen, bringing warmth and comfort to your family's table as it has to ours.
