Polenta is a classic partner to roasted eggplant. This eggplant recipe is not your normal recipe. I have taken it to a new level of flavor. Garlic confit is a driver of flavor, umami, and creaminess. The eggplant is coated with garlic confit and topped with an aromatic Thai Basil breadcrumb topping.
¼cupscallionsthinly sliced on the bias, soaking in cold water.
¼cupThai basilchiffonade cut
Instructions
How to Make Miso Mascarpone
Boil the cashews for 2 minutes, and allow the cashews to soak for 10 minutes. Drain and rinse the cashews.
Using a high-speed blender, puree the tofu, cashews, water, kosher salt, rice wine vinegar, red miso, and maple syrup. Puree until very smooth, slowly add the garlic confit oil while the blender is pureeing on medium speed.
Pour the miso mascarpone into a bowl, fold the nutritional yeast and adjust the salt level.
Place in the refrigerator to cool and set.
How to make Creamy Polenta
Bring the vegetable stock to a boil, slowly whisk the polenta into the stock, and reduce the heat to low. Continue to stir every 5 minutes. Cover while not stirring. Cooking for 15 minutes.
Once the polenta has started to thicken, add the plant milk, and continue to cook for another 30 minutes. Make sure to stir and scrape the bottom of the pot.
To finish add the miso mascarpone into the polenta. Keep warm until time to plate.
How to make Balsamic Roasted Eggplant
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees
Cut the eggplant in half length-wise. Score the eggplant about 1/4inch in-depth cutting a diamond shape.
Combine the Dijon mustard, rice wine vinegar, balsamic vinegar, and extra virgin olive oil, and whisk to combine and emulsify.
Season the eggplant with a sprinkling of kosher salt. Brush the balsamic glaze generously over the scored eggplant. Place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
Bake for 8 minutes.
Slather the garlic confit over the eggplant. Cook for another 5 minutes. Set aside.
How to make Thai Basil Bread Crumb Topping
Combine the panko bread crumbs with Thai basil, extra virgin olive oil, and salt. Mix to evenly coat the panko bread crabs with olive oil. Set aside.
How to Finish the Eggplant
Preheat the broiler.
Spread a thick layer of the Thai Basil Bread Crumb onto the eggplant.
Place the eggplant under the broiler, cooking until crispy and golden brown.
Place 5 small spoonfuls of the Miso Marscapone around the plate.
Pour a generous spoonful of the creamy polenta into the middle of the plate.
Place the eggplant on top of the polenta.
Garnish the eggplant with the sliced scallions in the Thai basil.