Fresh and Healthy Grilled Eggplant Orzo
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Delicious roasted eggplant and orzo recipe is quick to put together and tastes great. Added bonus it is healthy too.
Author:
Recipe type: Entree
Cuisine: Italian
Serves: 3-4
Ingredients
  • 1 cup(8 oz) whole wheat orzo
  • 1 big or 2 medium eggplant
  • ½ cup chopped sun-dried tomatoes (not oil-packed), quartered
  • 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 3-4 teaspoons chopped fresh parsley, extra for garnishing
  • ¼ cups onion, diced
  • 2-3 red chilies
  • 2 teaspoons olive oil
  • Salt to taste
  • ¼ cup shredded parmesan cheese (optional)
Instructions
  1. Steps to prepare red chili:
  2. Dry roast red chilies until fragrant.
  3. Crush the roasted chilies. Set aside.
  5. Steps to prepare grilled eggplant:
  6. Clean and vertically cut the eggplant into ¼ inch thick pieces.
  7. Season 4 pieces of the eggplant with salt, chopped parsley and half the crushed red chili.
  8. Toss into an indoor grill turning once. Grill each side 3-5 minutes or until tender.
  9. Dice the remaining pieces of eggplant into ½ inches cube.
  10. Steps to cook orzo:
  11. Cook the orzo in boiling salted water for 7 to 9 minutes, according to package, until tender.
  12. Drain and rinse.
  13. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  14. Add onion and garlic. Sauté until golden and fragrant.
  15. Mix quartered tomatoes and diced eggplants. Cook until eggplant is soft.
  16. Toss orzo with vegetables.
  17. Add remaining crushed red chili, salt and parsley.
  18. Cook, stirring often, until heated through, 1 to 2 minutes.
  19. Steps to assemble grilled eggplant and orzo(optional steps):
  20. Wrap the grilled eggplant into a cylinder shape. You may use a small toothpick to hold the shape if the eggplant don’t stick with each other well.
  21. Fill the cylinder with cooked orzo.
  22. Garnish with parsley and cheese.
Notes
Sundried tomato can be substituted for fresh plum tomatoes.
Adjust herb and spices according to your taste.
Start cooking the orzo while the eggplants are being grilled to save time
Eggplant grilling time depends on the thickness of the eggplant.
Conventional stove can be used to fan fry the eggplants chunks instead of grilling (less healthy option)
Recipe by WithASpin at https://withaspin.com/2013/01/03/happy-2013-and-a-fresh-and-healthy-grilled-eggplant-orzo/