Ingredients

  • 3 lb Aubergine Kosher salt
  • 3 lb Hunkar begendi, (recipe follows)
  • 1 lb Cheese mix, (recipe follows)
  • 2 3/4 lb Tomato/ricotta filling, (recipe follows)
  • 2 x Aubergines
  • 3 x Potatoes
  • 2 c. Parmesan cheese
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Black pepper
  • 1/8 tsp Nutmeg
  • 5 1/3 ounce Gruyere
  • 5 1/3 ounce Provolone
  • 5 1/3 ounce Mozzarella
  • 1 3/4 lb Aubergine
  • 1 lb Ricotta
  • 1 x Egg
  • 9 ounce Oven roasted tomatoes
  • 1 ounce Basil leaves Salt and pepper to taste
  • 5 lb Italian Roma tomatoes
  • 1 ounce Kosher salt
  • 1 1/4 lb Bocconcini
  • 8 ounce Extra virgin extra virgin olive oil Kosher salt, to taste Freshly grnd black pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 ounce Fresh thyme
  • 1/4 ounce Fresh parsley
  • 1/4 ounce Fresh rosemary
  • 10 ounce Thinly shaved fennel
  • 10 ounce Thinly shaved celery
  • 2 ounce Thinly shaved carrots
  • 1/4 c. Extra virgin extra virgin olive oil Salt and pepper, to taste

Method

  • Thinly slice round aubergine.
  • Sprinkle with Kosher salt and set aside.
  • Once the bitter juices have been released, squeeze to extract the rest.
  • Rinse with cool water and again squeeze to remove the excess water.
  • Set aside.
  • Make the hunkar begendi, tomato/ricotta filling, cheese mix, tomato water, marinated bocconcini and fennel salata.
  • Yield: 6 servings
  • HUNKAR BEGENDI:Char aubergine over an open flame and place in a bowl tightly covered with plastic wrap to allow it to steam.
  • Once cold sufficient to handle, remove the charred skin.
  • Scrub potatoes clean and bake with skin on.
  • When cold sufficient to handle, break apart and place in robot coupe along with the aubergine.
  • Pulse.
  • Then add in the rest of the ingredients.
  • Yield: 3 pounds
  • CHEESE MIX:Shred and mix together.
  • Yield: 1 lb.
  • TOMATO/RICOTTA FILLING:Slice aubergine lengthwise and rub with extra virgin olive oil.
  • Place cut side down on sheet pan and roast in 375 degree oven till cooked throughout and tender.
  • Place all ingredients in food processor and fully incorporate.
  • Correct seasonings.
  • Yield: 2.75 pounds
  • TOMATO WATER:Coarsely chop the tomatoes and toss with the salt.
  • Wrap in a cheesecloth bundle and put in a strainer placed over a large bowl.
  • Refrigerateovernight.
  • Yield: 2 qts
  • MARINATED BOCCONCINI:Toss bocconcini in the marinade; taste for correct seasonings and leave at room temperature an hour before service.
  • Yield: 1 1/4 pounds
  • FENNEL SALATA:continued in part 2