theme: Soup & Sandwich

Curried Peanut and Tomato Soup
Gourmet February 2006

1 medium onion, chopped (1 cup)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
2 teaspoons curry powder (preferably Madras)
1 (14-oz) can diced tomatoes in juice, chopped if large, reserving juice
1 3/4 cups reduced-sodium chicken broth (14 fl oz)
1 cup hot water
1/4 cup smooth peanut butter
2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Cook onion, salt, and pepper in oil in a 2- to 3-quart heavy saucepan over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, 4 to 5 minutes. Add curry powder and cook, stirring frequently, 2 minutes. Add tomatoes (with their juice) and broth and simmer, uncovered, 5 minutes. Stir hot water into peanut butter until smooth and add to soup. Simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, 5 minutes. Stir in cilantro before serving.

Eggplant and Manchego Grilled Cheese Sandwiches
inspired by Peniche, White Plains NY

1 Eggplant
flour
salt & pepper
2 eggs
breadcrumbs
Italian seasoning
manchego cheese
honey
white truffle oil

Peel eggplant and slice lengthwise into 1/4-inch thick slices. This is easiest with a mandoline. Pat slices dry with paper towels. Set up 3 plates side by side. In the first, add a generous amount of flour and season with salt and pepper. In the second, add 2 eggs and a splash of water, and beat well with a fork. In the third, add a generous amount of breadcrumbs and season with dried Italian seasoning.

Heat olive oil in a large skillet (preferably cast iron). Dredge each slice of eggplant in the flour, shaking off excess. Coat with the eggs, letting excess drip off, and then coat with breadcrumb mixture, pressing to make sure it adheres well. Pat off excess, and fry until golden brown on both sides. Place fried eggplant slices onto a cookie sheet lined with a metal rack. We found it helpful to pat the slices with paper towels when they came out of the pan to soak up some of the excess oil. Repeat frying eggplant slices, being careful not to crowd the pan.

Once all of the eggplant is fried, make sandwiches out of them by placing a few slices of manchego cheese on a piece of eggplant, and topping it with another piece of eggplant. Broil on low until the cheese is nice and melted, and the eggplant is crispy. When the sandwiches come out of the oven, quickly drizzle with honey and a bit of white truffle oil. Enjoy!

Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse, 2001
http://www.foodnetwork.com/recipes/emeril-lagasse/chilled-fruit-champagne-soup-with-crystallized-ginger-recipe/index.html

2 Fuji apples, peeled, cored and roughly chopped
1 ripe yet firm peach, pitted and roughly chopped
2 cups water
1/2 cup sugar
1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1/4 fresh orange juice
1/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons shredded fresh mint leaves
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 cup extra-dry or demi-sec Champagne
2 tablespoons finely chopped crystallized ginger
Directions
In a 2-quart heavy pot, combine the apples, peach, water, sugar, lemon juice, orange juice, 1/4 cup mint leaves and lemon zest. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat, then reduce heat to medium low, and simmer uncovered for 20 minutes.

Remove from the heat and puree with an immersion blender, or in batches in a blender.(Use caution when pureeing hot liquids.) Transfer to a clean container and refrigerate until thoroughly chilled, at least 2 hours.

Stir the Champagne into the soup. Ladle into 6 small, chilled bowls, and garnish each with a teaspoon of mint and a teaspoon of chopped crystallized ginger. Serve immediately, either as a first course or a dessert.