Grilled Eggplant

Ingredients
· 1 large eggplant
· Salt
· 3 tablespoons olive oil
· 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar ( I used almost 3 tlbs)
· 2 cloves garlic, very finely minced ( I used 1 large clove)
· 1 pinch each thyme, basil, dill, and oregano
· freshly grated black pepper

Preparation
Heat grill.
Slice eggplant about 1/4-inch thick. Put slices of eggplant on paper towel and cover with salt to draw out the bitterness. You will see the brown color coming out of the eggplant.

Let it sit for a half hour or so and prepare the dressing.

In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, herbs, and pepper.
Wash all the salt off the slices.

In bowl cover both sides of the eggplant slices with the oil and vinegar mixture.
Place eggplant on the hot preheated grill. Grill about 10 minutes on each side.

Recipe from Mom-- cooked last night and its Mom & Krissy approved. (That means it HAS to be good)

Bubba's Eggplant

Ingredients:
Eggplant
Salt & Pepper
Romano Cheese
Tomato Sauce

Directions
Cut ends of eggplant then peel
Slice paper thin and rinse
Lay out the eggplant on table/counter on paper towel
Sprinkle with salt
Let sit 30 minutes to get out the bitterness
(you will see little brown spots develop)
Rinse with cold water and put on a plate
Keep patting with paper towel.

Lay eggplant on a new layer of paper towel, salt again and let sit. Rinse.
Thin in a large pan, add olive oil and cook until brown (almost burnt)
Add oil as it is soaked up (will soak up more at first)
Then in a casserole, layer eggplant, Romano grated cheese and sauce.
Repeat until done.

Jen's Notes: I have the recipe card for this recipe in my Grandmother's handwriting, but it is my Grandfather's Family's (Natale) recipe. (I will post the scanned version too).

It takes a long time to prepare the eggplant and because of that we usually only serve this dish a few times a year, so it is a huge treat. But I can tell you its worth it. I cook eggplant a lot now and it tastes different when you process it this way. Take the time and try this one. And please don't add mozzarella. You don't need it. This isn't eggplant parmesan. It's better!