RECIPE: Chicken and Eggplant Casserole

[crimsNkentucky]

Cajun-Style Chicken and Eggplant Casserole
PREP TIME: 1 Hour
SERVES: 6


INGREDIENTS:

* 6 chicken breasts, skinned
* 3 eggplants, diced
* 1/2 cup flour
* vegetable spray
* 2 tbsps butter
* 1 cup onions, diced
* 1 cup celery, diced
* 1/2 cup green bell pepper, diced
* 1/4 cup red bell pepper, diced
* 1/4 cup garlic, minced
* 2 (8-ounce) cans tomato sauce
* 1 tbsp dried basil
* 1 tsp dried thyme
* 1/2 cup pimento olives, sliced
* 1 (8-ounce package) cheddar cheese, shredded
* salt to taste
* cayenne pepper

METHOD:
Pre-heat oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly season the flour to taste using salt and pepper. Dust chicken lightly in the seasoned flour. Place breasts on a cookie sheet, coated with vegetable spray and bake 10-15 minutes. Remove and keep warm. Poach eggplant in water until tender. Using a fork, mash eggplant and set aside. In a 10-inch cast iron skillet, heat margarine over medium heat. Add onions, celery, bell peppers and garlic. Sauté 3-5 minutes or until vegetable mixture is wilted and simmer 10-15 minutes longer. Add tomato sauce, basil and thyme. Blend well and season to taste using salt and pepper. Place chicken breasts in a 2-quart casserole dish. Cover with the eggplant mixture, olives and 1/2 of the shredded cheese. Using a fork, blend the ingredients well over the chicken. Top with the remaining cheese. Bake, uncovered, 15-20 minutes.

 

[bayoutider]

I think you and I are the only fans of eggplant here.

Pousser des hourras pour l'aubergine.

 

[BamaLuver]

I'm not much on eggplant, however, everything else sounds great. What could I sub for the eggplant?

 

[bayoutider]

I'm not much on eggplant, however, everything else sounds great. What could I sub for the eggplant?

Due to the way the eggplant is prepared I can think of no direct replacement. Maybe, just maybe zucchini or mirlitons but the taste and texture would be quite different even if run through a food processor.