Yields8 ServingsPrep Time15 minsCook Time1 minTotal Time16 mins
2tbsp pure maple syrup
1 ½tbsplow-sodium soy sauce
½tbspolive oil
½tspsmoked paprika
1large eggplant, peeled
16pitted dates
16smoked almonds
¼cupcrumbled blue cheese
16wooden toothpicks
1
Preheat oven to 250°; line rimmed baking pan with parchment paper. In small bowl, whisk syrup, soy sauce, oil and paprika. Trim off sides of eggplant to create rectangle-shaped block; cut block into 16 (1/8-inch) slices. Trim slices to 5 x 1 1/4-inch strips and brush both sides with syrup mixture; arrange in single layer on prepared pan and bake 45 minutes or until edges are slightly crisp, turning once.
2
Stuff dates with almonds and blue cheese; wrap each stuffed date with 1 piece eggplant, secure with toothpick and place on same pan. Bake dates 15 minutes or until eggplant is golden brown and edges are crisp. Let dates stand 5 minutes.
3
Chef tips: For uniform thickness, slice eggplant using a mandolin. Eggplant scraps can be layered in lasagana or used to make caponata, ratatouille or babaganoush.
Ingredients
2tbsp pure maple syrup
1 ½tbsplow-sodium soy sauce
½tbspolive oil
½tspsmoked paprika
1large eggplant, peeled
16pitted dates
16smoked almonds
¼cupcrumbled blue cheese
16wooden toothpicks
Directions
1
Preheat oven to 250°; line rimmed baking pan with parchment paper. In small bowl, whisk syrup, soy sauce, oil and paprika. Trim off sides of eggplant to create rectangle-shaped block; cut block into 16 (1/8-inch) slices. Trim slices to 5 x 1 1/4-inch strips and brush both sides with syrup mixture; arrange in single layer on prepared pan and bake 45 minutes or until edges are slightly crisp, turning once.
2
Stuff dates with almonds and blue cheese; wrap each stuffed date with 1 piece eggplant, secure with toothpick and place on same pan. Bake dates 15 minutes or until eggplant is golden brown and edges are crisp. Let dates stand 5 minutes.
3
Chef tips: For uniform thickness, slice eggplant using a mandolin. Eggplant scraps can be layered in lasagana or used to make caponata, ratatouille or babaganoush.
* The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.