Eggplant and Porcini Meatballs in Tomato Sauce

By Ammerie

Ingredients

• 1 large eggplant
• 1 ounce dried porcini mushrooms
• boiling water
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 small onion, minced
• 4 garlic cloves, finely grated
• Two 28-ounce cans imported whole Italian tomatoes, seeded and pureed with their juices
• 2 tablespoons chopped basil plus leaves for garnish
• salt and pepper
• 3 cups fresh bread crumbs
• 2 large eggs, beaten
• 2 ounces Pecorino Romano cheese, plus more for serving
• 1 tablespoon flatleaf parsley
• flour for coating
• oil for frying

Preparation

Step 1

1. Preheat the oven to 350. Prick the eggplant all over with a fork and set it on a baking sheet. Roast in the center of the oven for 1 hour until very soft and collapsed. Let cool slightly, then scrape the eggplant flesh into a large bowl and let cool completely. Discard the skin.

2. Meanwhile, in a heatproof bowl, cover the porcini with 1 1/2 cups boiling water and let stand until softened, 30 minutes; drain, reserving the soaking liquid. Rinse the porcini to remove any grit. Finely chop them.

3.In an enameled cast-iron casserole, heat the olive oil until shimmering. Add the onion and half of the garlic and cook over moderately high heat, stirring, until softened, 5 minutes. Add the tomato puree and pour in the porcini soaking liquid, stopping before reaching the grit; bring to a boil. Simmer over moderately low heat, stirring, until thickened, 1 hour. Add half of the chopped basil and season with salt and pepper.

4. Fold the chopped porcini, breadcrumbs, eggs, 2 ounces of hte cheese, parsley and the remaining garlic and chopped basil into the eggplant. Season with 1 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.

5. Line a baking sheet with wax paper. Form the eggplant mixture into twenty 1 3/4 inch balls, rolling tightly. Dust the balls with flour and refrigerate for 20 minutes.

6. In a large nonstick skillet, heat hte 1/2 inch of oil. Add half of the meatballs at a time and cook over moderately high heat turning occassionally, until browned all over, about 8 mintues. Drain on paper towels. Add the meatballs to the tomato sauce and simmer for 5 minutes. Garnish with basil leaves and serve with crusty bread and grated cheese.