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Rice Ring Cake with Eggplants

17/11/2023

I can suggest to you a recipe for a rice ring cake with eggplants, a special variant that combines the taste of the garden with the tradition of rice-based dishes. Here’s how to proceed:

Ingredients

  • 300 g of Arborio or Carnaroli rice
  • 2 large eggplants
  • 2 eggs
  • 100 g of grated Parmesan cheese
  • 150 g of mozzarella (or other stringy cheese of choice)
  • 1 small onion
  • 500 ml of tomato puree
  • Fresh basil to taste
  • Extra virgin olive oil
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Bread crumbs (for breading)
  • Oil for frying

Preparation

  1. Start by washing the eggplants, cutting them into cubes, and frying them in plenty of hot oil. Once golden, drain them and place them on paper towels to remove the excess oil. Season them lightly with salt.

  2. Meanwhile, bring a pot of salted water to a boil and cook the rice until it’s al dente. Drain the rice and let it cool.

  3. While the rice is cooling, finely chop the onion and sauté it in a pan with a drizzle of oil until it becomes transparent. Add the tomato puree, and salt and pepper to taste. Let it cook for about 15 minutes, until the sauce has slightly thickened. Then turn off the heat and add chopped basil.

  4. In a large bowl, mix the rice with the Parmesan, eggs, and about half of the prepared tomato sauce. Adjust the seasoning with salt and pepper.

  5. Take a ring mold, grease it lightly, and sprinkle it with breadcrumbs. Pour a layer of rice into the bottom, then a layer of fried eggplants, add pieces of mozzarella, and cover with another layer of rice.

  6. Finish the preparation by sprinkling the surface of the ring cake with breadcrumbs and a few drizzles of oil.

  7. Bake in a preheated oven at 200 °C for about 20-30 minutes, or until the surface becomes golden and crispy.

  8. Let the rice ring cake rest for a few minutes before unmolding it. Serve with the remaining tomato sauce.

This recipe is a fine example of how a simple preparation can transform into a delicious and refined dish. The eggplants add a soft texture and a rich flavor that pairs perfectly with the base of rice and the aroma of basil.

Rice Ring Cake with Eggplants