Eggplant stuffed with oysters

4 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
2largesEggplants, split lengthwise
2Jars (10 ounces each) oysters
3tablespoonsOlive oil
cupFinely diced onion
2largesGarlic cloves, minced
½teaspoonHerbes de Provence
½teaspoonCreole seafood seasoning
2tablespoonsDry white wine
I cup fresh bread crumbs
1tablespoonMinced chives
¼cupGrated Parmesan

Directions

Creole-style seafood seasoning blends are sold in most markets; you can use a mixture of salt and red, white and black peppers.

Chesapeake- style seasonings, such as Old Bay, are another option.

Bake the eggplant halves in a 400F oven until just tender. Scrape out the pulp, leaving a shell about ½ inch thick attached to the skin. Discard any big clumps of seeds and chop the pulp coarsely.

Drain the oysters, reserving the liquor. Chop oysters into bite-sized pieces.

Heat the oil in a skillet; add the onion and garlic and cook until the onion softens. Add the herbs and seasoning mix, then stir in the oyster liquor and wine. Reduce slightly, then stir in the eggplant pulp, bread crumbs, oysters and chives. Cook for 1 minute, then taste for seasoning and adjust to taste. Spread the mixture evenly in the eggplant shells and top with Parmesan. Return to the oven and bake until nicely browned.

Serves 4.

PER SERVING: 320 calories, 17 g protein, 30 g carbohydrate, 15 g fat (3 g saturated), 66 mg cholesterol, 416 mg sodium, 7 g fiber.

Bay Area resident Jay Harlow is the author of "Jay Harlow's Beer Cuisine " (Harlow & Ratner) and "Shrimp" (Chronicle Books).

From the San Francisco Chronicle, 2/17/93.

Posted by Stephen Ceideberg; February 23 1993.