Instructions: IL TIMBALLO DI MELANZANE CON PREA DI POMODORO (Dragos Eggplant Souffle in Tomato-Basil Sauce) Peel eggplants, cut into cubes and set aside. Cut whole zucchini into quarters. Remove centers and discard. Cut remaining zucchini into cubes and set aside. Repeat process with pepper and set aside.

Heat oil in sauteepan, add eggplant cubes, potato, onion, basil and oregano and season to taste with salt. Sauteeuntil golden. Add tomato and cook approximately 10 minutes.

Pour eggplant mixture into food processor and blend until smooth. Add Parmesan cheese, bread crumbs and eggs into processor and blend 5 seconds.

Lace 8 (6-ounce) timbals with butter. Cover bottom of cup with chopped zucchini and pepper and fill rest of cup with processed eggplant mixture. Cook in bain marie at 350F 40 minutes.

Remove timbals from oven and let standin warm place 15 minutes.

When ready to serve, spoon small amount Tomato-Basil Sauce on individual serving plates, then flip souffle cups onto top of each plate. Serve warm.

Makes 8 servings.

Drago serves these individual souffles as appetizers at his restaurant. Its a wonderful use of eggplant, one of the most commonly used vegetables in Sicily. Its essential that you use good Parmesan- the cheese is what rounds out the flavor.

For Tomato-Basil Sauce:
Place olive oil and onion in saucepan and sauteeuntil golden. Add tomatoes, basil and season to taste with salt. Cook 10 minutes on low heat.

Melt butter in separate pan, add flour and mix well. Add butter- flour mixture to tomato sauce and cook few more minutes. Remove basil leaves from sauce and blend sauce in blender until smooth and creamy.

Makes 2 cups.

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