This impressive appetizer is easy to make, and super flavorful. Because its eclectic assembly of ingredients are readily available and pair wonderfully.
Grilled Japanese Eggplant Rolls with Stilton, Red Pepper & Watercress
Print This Recipe Yield 6Source Inspired by Pauline ParryPublishedserves 6
Ingredients
- ¼ cup balasamic vinegar
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 6 japanese eggplants, cut lengthwise into ¼‑inch thick slices
- 4 red bell peppers
- 1 bunch baby watercress, washed with stems trimmed to size
- .75 cup stilton cheese, crumbled
Directions
Prepare barbecue for medium indirect heat.
Whisk together vinegar and oil. Season with salt and pepper. Brush both sides of eggplant slices with ¼ cup vinaigrette. Grill until cooked through, turning occasionally, about 4 minutes per side. Remove from grill; brush with ¼ cup vinaigrette. Cool.
Grill bell peppers until blackened on all sides. Wrap in paper bag and let stand 10 minutes. Peel and seed peppers. Cut into ¼‑inch strips. Season with salt and pepper. These steps may be done 1 day ahead and refrigerated in a single layer; chill eggplant and bell peppers separately.)
To assemble: Bring all ingredients to room temperature. Place eggplant slices on work surface. Place 4 bell pepper strips on 1 end of each eggplant slice; top with 2 to 4 baby watercress sprigs, allowing peppers and watercress to extend beyond both sides of eggplant. Sprinkle Stilton cheese. Roll eggplant up. Place seam side down on platter, secure with toothpicks. (Can be prepared 4 hours ahead. Cover.)
Really enjoying your Hawaii posts, Greg! Especially the one with poke.
Safe travels,
LL
The loco moco just HAD to be invented by a couple of intoxicated guys at 3am in the morning but I have to admit I’d like to try that myself.
This post made me feel a little like you sneaked all of us along with you for the trip in your shirt pocket.
I remember of course macadamia nuts pancakes, but that’s breakfast fare. I always equate Hawaii with seafood and expensive.
the food is crazy expensive even at the grocery store. GREG
I could do without some of their cuisine, namely Spam. Thanks for the historical info. Good stuff!
What fun and what a great read, the diversity of what makes up Hawaiian cuisine is really staggering.
Yes, I ate many a plate lunch while living with my grandmother on Kauai, but the saimin noodle shacks were my favorite! Thanks for sharing what you’re learning about the local cuisine while immersing youself in the beauty of the Kona coast — gorgeous sunset photo!
Kau kau food is not lu’au food, you got that right. Local parties might include some foods that are seen at touristy lu’aus but there’s so much more to local food. Glad you’re getting a chance to experience it.
Spam musubi is pretty easy to make, and I must say it is tasty. We’ve got a post on our site titled “Secrets to Making Spam Musubi” that is quite popular:
http://www.houseofannie.com/secrets-to-making-spam-musubi/
You do us proud, Greg. Is that sunset from our ohana bar-b-que at Pu’uhonua o’ Honaunau? A typically ravishing day and end-of-day here in Paradise. Thanks for transmitting the real news…and that is the most artistic picture of taro I have ever seen, not an easy subject to photograph in its best light…you are right, you really are a photographer, and a wonderful writer as well…so wonderful having you upstairs in our tree house here on Napoopoo Rd. Hope you will be back really soon…or just tear up the return tickets…
Aloha nui and a hui hou…Marianne
Lucky you to be in Hawaii! I love to visit and experience the “aloha spirit” whenever I can. Your first photo of the sunset is stunning!!
i am just jealous ! Pierre
why they got into the macaroni salad thing. I guess some guy from the States introduced it and it caught on. Did he work at Costco? lol!
Oh Greg, you are making me miss my childhood home of 12 years with your notes from Hawaii! Funny, after all those years on the islands I never could bring myself to try a “Loco Moco”…I just couldn’t do it. But Musubi! Now that I ate, and even continue to make at home every so often. Thanks for a welcome walk down memory lane. Sounds like you are having a wonderful trip!
~Aloha, Mac
P.S. isn’t fresh Poke the BEST!!