Another ingredient that I wasn’t familiar with until I started this food blog was eggplant. I know there are eggplants in Mexico because I remember seeing them at the markets, but I don’t remember ever having any dish made with them. The very first time I ate eggplant was almost 11 months ago when I made this lentil soup with fried eggplant. But after that I haven’t ventured into cooking anything else with them, until today.
I found a fat eggplant at the store yesterday and decided I wanted to try something new. So today I cut it in very thin slices, grill them and roll them with a slice of queso fresco and turkey bacon. I put them back on the grill and let the bacon cook. I drizzled some extra virgin olive oil, queso fresco crumbles, fresh chopped parsley and a dash of black pepper.
I was going to eat these for lunch, but I realized they would be better as a side dish or party snack. So if you are planning a Xmas or New Year’s party, these would make great snacks. They are going into the menu of the party I am planning. There is not a recipe for these because they are very simple to prepare, just grill the slices:
After stuffing them with the queso fresco and rolling wrapping them with bacon (I cut the bacon strips in half) grill them again until the bacon is cooked:
Serve with drizzled olive oil, queso fresco crumbles, black pepper and fresh parsley and enjoy:
¡Buen provecho!
I am sending this recipe to Lore’s event, Original recipes (Winter holiday version).
18 Replies
These look absolutely amazing. I love grilled eggplant and bacon…and cheese. Hehe. This sounds like a good “balance” — y’know, for the guilt of eating bacon, let there be eggplant!
Thanks for another fantastic original!
Posted on December 11th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
This is a wonderful and original idea Ben…so fresh and inviting!
Posted on December 11th, 2008 at 6:41 pm
Looks great, Ben. I love eggplant cooked in any fashion. Good idea to bring them to a party…they’re all festively dressed up and ready to go.
Posted on December 11th, 2008 at 6:46 pm
Sounds amazing! It looks incredibly good and the perfect party food.
Posted on December 11th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Oh my goodness do these look amazing. I would have liked just the eggplant and the queso but adding the bacon really took me over the top. I have to make these!
Posted on December 11th, 2008 at 9:05 pm
Those look great! Simple party food at it’s best. I love eggplant, it is one of my favourites – like mushrooms, it lends itself really well to flavour development.
Posted on December 12th, 2008 at 7:02 am
HA how did you know I found the love of my life down in South America! Ha I wish… well maybe. I hear Brazil and Argentina have some really good looking girls, actually
Anyways, yup I missed quite a few bloggers, including my baking brother in crime. Whenever I feel like I’ve run out of dinner ideas, you’ve got something going on dude.
Eggplant rolls AND a round butt? You won’t even need mistletoe lady killer.
Posted on December 12th, 2008 at 4:46 pm
I really like this idea and that you did it on an indoor grill is even more appealing. I’ve never made eggplant with bacon before – great ingenuity.
Posted on December 12th, 2008 at 5:27 pm
Hello Ben
I also think that the addition of healthy berinjelas are delicious.
Your earnings should be pretty well as delicious.
I’m loving receive “What’s cooking?” in my email!
Posted on December 12th, 2008 at 5:46 pm
I can totally see this at a party. Great creation.
Posted on December 12th, 2008 at 7:58 pm
These look like easy little treats. Yummy too!
Posted on December 12th, 2008 at 10:45 pm
very creative! i’m imagining all the various ways to make these – maybe an italian version stuffed w/ mozzarella and rolled in pancetta or prociutto? these looks awesome!
Posted on December 13th, 2008 at 10:48 am
You are right, these are great as snacks. I make similar ones filled with feta but these sound delicious with the addition of the bacon.
Posted on December 14th, 2008 at 2:37 am
Those look delicious, they would be great for an appetizer or to serve alongside cocktails. I’m glad you started cooking with eggplant, I will be trying this very soon!
Posted on December 14th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
Quite lovely for a party or anytime eats! Especially with that bacon. We approve!
Posted on December 15th, 2008 at 4:02 pm
Those eggplant rolls look really good!
Posted on December 21st, 2008 at 7:31 am
i love these… very creative, ben…
Posted on December 22nd, 2008 at 11:13 am
Made these for our friend’s New Year’s party… they were a great sensation! Thank you!
Posted on January 1st, 2009 at 4:11 pm
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