Eggplant Pizzettes

Serves 4 to 6 as bar bites

Eggplant rounds serve here as mini-pizzas, flavored with the smoky, sweet undertones of barbecue sauce, balsamic vinegar, and sun dried tomatoes. Pecan bits, toasted on a blanket of melting cheese, add a satisfying, crunchy bite. For a bread-like complement, serve with long, thin grissini (Italian breadsticks), stuck in a tall, narrow glass.

Use a barbecue sauce on the sweet and smoky side (I prefer Stubb's Smokey Mesquite Bar-B-Q Sauce). If you use oil-packed sun dried tomatoes, instead of dry-packed ones, you can skip microwaving the sauce to reconstitute the tomatoes.

• 1/3 cup chopped dry-packed sun dried tomatoes
• 1/4 cup barbecue sauce (see headnote)
• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 eggplant (about 1-1/4 pounds)
• 1/4 cup basil oil, or extra virgin olive oil
• 8 ounces sliced smoked provolone
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped shallot or red onion
• 1/4 cup finely chopped pecan pieces
• Choppped fresh mint or basil for garnish (optional)

1. Preheat the broiler. Line a baking sheet with foil and lightly spritz with nonstick spray.

2. Stir together the tomatoes, barbecue sauce, and vinegar in a microwave safe container. Partially cover (to prevent splattering) and microwave on high 60 seconds, stirring half way through, to soften the tomatoes.

3. Slice the eggplant into 1/2-inch-thick rounds. Arrange the slices in a single layer on the baking sheet. Brush the oil on both sides of each slice. Broil 5 to 6 inches from the heat, for 5 to 7 minutes, until the pieces start to brown. Flip the rounds over and broil another 5 to 7 minutes, until the pieces are mostly cooked through and easily pierced with a fork, but not mushy.

4. Smear a bit of the sauce on each slice. Cover with the cheese, casually tearing the slices with your fingers to fit (pieces can overlap). Sprinkle the shallot over the cheese and top with the pecan pieces.

5. Broil for 3 to 5 minutes more, until the cheese softens and gently melts (watch closely so the pecans don't burn). If desired, garnish with fresh mint or basil, and serve.

• from:
• Great Bar Food at Home
• by Kate Heyhoe
• John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
• $17.95, 128 pages
• ISBN-10: # 0471781835
• ISBN-13: 978-0471781837
• Reprinted by permission.

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  on the Global Gourmet website

This page created September 2007

Great Bar Food

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Kate Heyhoe

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Gougère, page 22

GBF Gift
and Party Ideas

Ideal travel
and gift size:

• Carry it on-board, or mail—about 8-inches square

Craft a gift basket:

• Add martini glasses and olives, or wine and cheese

Give to your hosts:

• With or without wine, for dinners, parties & holidays

For a first date
at home:

• Mix the drinks and dine in

Cheers to Newlyweds:

• Ease into married life, enjoy bar food in your new home

Dress for cocktails:

• Throw a bash with easy bites

Oscar Parties:

• Eat like movie stars with caviar, crab cakes, and more

Cocktail Onion'd
Deviled Eggs, page 30