Sicilian pesto and grilled eggplant

Name: Sicilian pesto and grilled eggplant
Cook time: 30 min
Yield: 500ml pesto
Cuisine: Italian
Ingredients: 1/2 bunch basil; 1/4 bunch flat-leaf parsley; 100g almonds, blanched and toasted; 1 garlic clove; 1/4 mild green chilli, seeds included; 100g fresh ricotta; 50g grated pecorino; 250ml olive oil; 2 medium eggplants; Salt and pepper

Frank Camorra

December 31, 2012

Sicilian pesto can also be folded through warm pasta, used to top grilled prawns or smeared over pan-fried chicken breast.Marina Oliphant

easyTime:< 30 minsMakes:500ml pesto

Eggplant goes well with an interesting take on pesto that is popular in Sicily, with their love of almonds, ricotta and chilli. This versatile pesto can also be folded through warm pasta, used to top grilled prawns or smeared over pan-fried chicken breast.

Ingredients

1/2 bunch basil
1/4 bunch flat-leaf parsley
100g almonds, blanched and toasted
1 garlic clove
1/4 mild green chilli, seeds included
100g fresh ricotta
50g grated pecorino
250ml olive oil
2 medium eggplants
Salt and pepper

Method

1. Place herbs, almonds, garlic and chilli in a food processor and pulse to a fine crumb.
2. Add cheeses then add enough oil to make a smooth, thick sauce.
3. Slice eggplants in half lengthways, then each half into 4 long wedges.
4. Sprinkle salt over eggplant and leave for 15 minutes, then rinse and dry.
5. Preheat grill, season eggplant and brush with oil, then grill until golden and cooked. Serve warm with pesto.
* Leftover pesto will keep in the fridge for a week.
* Serve with a small green salad.