Eggplant and Mozzarella Melt

http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/eggplant-and-mozzarella-melt

Prep: 20 minutes

Total: 50 minutes

Ingredients

Serves 4

• 2 large eggs
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 3/4 cup plain dried breadcrumbs
• Olive oil, for baking sheet
• 1 medium eggplant (about 1 pound), sliced into 1/2-inch-thick rounds
• 1 loaf (8 ounces) soft Italian bread
• 2 cups store-bought tomato sauce
• 8 ounces part-skim mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 475 degrees. In a shallow bowl, lightly beat eggs with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Spread breadcrumbs in a pie plate or shallow bowl.

   

2. Oil a rimmed baking sheet. Dip eggplant rounds in egg, then dredge in breadcrumbs, turning to coat completely; transfer to prepared baking sheet. Bake (without turning) until golden and tender, 15 to 20 minutes.

   

3. Meanwhile, split bread lengthwise, and place cut side up on another baking sheet; press gently in centers to create a well. Layer both halves with tomato sauce, eggplant, and cheese. Bake until cheese is browned in spots, 6 to 8 minutes.

   

Sloppy Bao

Martha is joined by Thao Nguyen of Baogette to make a sloppy bao Vietnamese sandwich.

http://www.marthastewart.com/recipe/sloppy-bao?lnc=afbd90dd68e39110VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD&rsc=videoarchive_tv_video-archive&video_id=5b21fd9a28e30210VgnVCM1000003d370a0aRCRD

Ingredients

Serves 8

• 1/4 cup safflower oil
• 2 pounds lean ground beef
• 1/4 cup chopped shallot
• 2 tablespoons chopped lemongrass
• 1/4 cup Thai red-curry paste
• 1 teaspoon chopped garlic
• 2 cups ketchup
• 2 tablespoons fish sauce
• 20 Thai basil leaves
• 2 teaspoons light-brown sugar
• 1/2 cup Dijon mustard
• Coarse salt
• 8 (8-inch) lengths of baguette, halved horizontally
• 2 cups julienned green mango or Granny Smith apple, for serving
• Thinly sliced jalapenos, for serving

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
2. Heat oil in a medium skillet over medium heat. Add beef, shallot, lemongrass, red-curry paste, and garlic. Cook until browned, about 5 minutes.
3. Stir in ketchup, fish sauce, 10 basil leaves, brown sugar, and mustard. Reduce heat and simmer for 15 minutes.
4. Place baguettes in oven and cook until toasted, about 2 minutes. Fill each baguette with about 1 cup beef mixture, and top with remaining 10 basil leaves, mango, and jalapenos. Serve immediately.