Eggplant Stuffed with Veggie Sausage Parmesan

In this variation of Eggplant Parmesan, eggplant halves are stuffed with a vegetarian sausage mixture, and then topped with sauce and cheese and baked.

It makes for a satisfying entree, especially with a green salad on the side. Or cut it into smaller pieces and serve as an appetizer or snack.

RECIPE:

1 large eggplant (about 1 pound)
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
2 links (2 individual-size portions) Italian-style vegetarian sausage, coarsely chopped
2 tablespoons Italian-seasoned dry bread crumbs
2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, divided
1 1/2 cups Classic Marinara Sauce or your favorite plain red pasta sauce, divided
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
Salt & freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Slice eggplant in half lengthwise.

Using a tablespoon or soup spoon, scoop out the flesh of each eggplant half, leaving enough around the sides and bottom to form a sturdy shell.

Coarsely chop the eggplant meat and set aside.

Brush the eggplant shells with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, place them cut side up in a in a deep oven-proof baking dish or pan, and set aside.

Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a non-stick skillet over medium heat. Saute the sausage and the chopped eggplant flesh for 3-5 minutes, until they start to turn lightly golden.

Remove the sausage mixture from the heat. Stir in the breadcrumbs, 1 tablespoon of the parsley, 1/2 cup of the marinara sauce, 1/2 cup of the mozzarella, and salt and pepper to taste. Mix well.

Stuff the eggplant shells with the sausage mixture.

Cover with foil, and bake for 20 minutes.

Remove and discard the foil.

Top the eggplant with the remaining 1 cup of marinara sauce, the remaining 1/2 cup of mozzarella, and the Parmesan cheese.

Bake, uncovered, for another 15-20 minutes until the eggplant is tender and the cheese is melted and bubbly.

Sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon of parsley.

If using as an entree, serve 1/2 eggplant half per person. If using as an appetizer or snack, cut each eggplant half crosswise into 2 or 3 pieces.

-- 2 entree servings or 4-6 appetizer/snack servings

Pizza with Veggie Pepperoni and Veggie Sausage (12-inch)

When I was a meat eater, I loved pizza with pepperoni and Italian sausage. Now, with the availability of vegetarian pepperoni and sausage in supermarkets across the U.S., we can enjoy those same flavors, but without the guilt.

RECIPE:

1 Basic All-Purpose Pizza Crust (12-inch) or Thin Pizza Crust (12-inch) (or your favorite 12-inch pizza crust)
1/2 to 3/4 cup Pizza Sauce, as desired
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
1/2 of a 4-ounce package of vegetarian pepperoni slices
1 teaspoon extra virgin olive oil
1 link (1 individual-size portion) Italian-style vegetarian sausage, coarsely chopped
1 1/2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.

Prepare the pizza crust and press into a 12-inch pizza pan, or form it into a 12-inch round on a baking sheet, with the edges slightly thicker to contain the toppings.

Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the crust. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the mozzarella.

Arrange the pepperoni slices on the pizza in a single layer.

In a medium skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped sausage, and saute until lightly browned. Sprinkle evenly over the pizza.

Top the pizza with the remaining 1/2 cup of the mozzarella and the Parmesan.

Bake for 12-18 minutes, until golden.

Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes before slicing

-- 3-4 servings

Pizza with Veggie Pepperoni (12-inch)

I've always loved a classic pepperoni pizza; but, as a vegetarian, I will not eat meat-based sausages. Fortunately, with several brands of good vegetarian pepperoni available in most supermarkets these days, I can still enjoy that flavor without eating meat. I recommend Lightlife Smart Deli Pepperoni, Yves Meatless Pepperoni, or Pepperoni Tofurky Deli Slices.

Here is my version of a vegetarian pepperoni pizza.

RECIPE:

1 Basic All-Purpose Pizza Crust (12-inch) or Thin Pizza Crust (12-inch) (or your favorite 12-inch pizza crust)
1/2 to 3/4 cup Classic Pizza Sauce (or your favorite plain red pizza sauce)
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
1/2 of a 4-ounce package of vegetarian pepperoni slices (or more as desired)
1 1/2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.

Prepare the pizza crust and press into a 12-inch pizza pan, or form it into a 12-inch round on a baking sheet, with the edges slightly thicker to contain the toppings.

Spread the pizza sauce evenly over the crust. Sprinkle with 1/2 cup of the mozzarella.

Arrange the pepperoni slices on the pizza in a single layer.

Top the pizza with the remaining 1/2 cup of the mozzarella and the Parmesan.

Bake for 12-18 minutes, until golden.

Remove from oven and let sit for 5 minutes before slicing

-- 3-4 servings

Scrambled Egg Breakfast Crepes with Mushrooms and Veggie Pepperoni

These breakfast crepes (which are also great for brunch, lunch, or a light supper) were inspired by a recipe by Mable Hoffman in her book Crepe Cookery. The original recipe, however, uses canned mushrooms and regular pork-based pepperoni.

I detest canned mushrooms, so this version features fresh white mushrooms sauteed in a little butter. And, of course, I use veggie pepperoni.

Veggie pepperoni is available in most major supermarkets these days, and it tastes very much like its pork-based cousin. It usually comes pre-sliced. I recommend Lightlife Smart Deli Pepperoni, Yves Meatless Pepperoni, or Pepperoni Tofurky Deli Slices.

RECIPE:

4 Basic Skillet Crepe Shells
4 large eggs, or equivalent in egg substitute
2 tablespoons milk
Scant 1/4 teaspoon dried Italian herb mixture
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1 tablespoon butter
1 cup sliced white mushrooms
1/4 cup vegetarian pepperoni-style sausage, cut into julienne slivers
1/2 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley

In a small bowl, whisk together the eggs, milk, Italian herbs, salt, and pepper. Set aside.

In a medium skillet, heat the butter over medium heat. Add the mushrooms and saute until cooked.

Add the pepperoni and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.

Add the egg mixture and cook, stirring frequently, until eggs are cooked through.

Place 2 crepes on each serving plate.

Fill the crepes evenly with the egg mixture. Fold over. Sprinkle with the parsley, and serve.

-- 2 servings

Eggplant Stuffed with Veggie Sausage, Peppers, and Mushrooms

Italian sausage, peppers, and mushrooms are a classic combination for sandwiches, pasta, and other delights. In this recipe, I use Italian-style veggie sausage to stuff eggplants with this classic combination.

Some varieties of veggie sausage crumble easily, but others have a firmer texture. Either type works fine. Just coarsely chop the sausage links before cooking, and it won't matter if they don't further crumble.

RECIPE:

1 large eggplant, halved lengthwise
1/4 cup olive oil, divided
2 links (2 individual-size portions) Italian-style vegetarian sausage, coarsely chopped
1 small clove garlic, chopped
1/4 cup chopped yellow onion
1/4 cup chopped red bell pepper
8 ounces fresh mushrooms, coarsely chopped
3 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley, divided
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/2 cup dry white wine
2 tablespoons Italian-seasoned dry bread crumbs
1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese, divided

Preheat oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit.

Slice eggplant in half lengthwise.

Using a tablespoon or soup spoon, scoop out the flesh of each eggplant half, leaving enough around the sides and bottom to form a sturdy shell.

Coarsely chop the eggplant meat and set aside.

Brush the eggplant shells with 1 tablespoon of the olive oil, place them cut side up in a in a deep oven-proof baking dish or pan, and set aside.

Heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the sausage and saute for a 3-4 minutes, until lightly browned. Remove the sausage from the skillet and set aside.

Heat the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil in the same skillet. Add the garlic, onion, and pepper. Reduce the heat to medium-low and saute for a minute or two, until soft and fragrant. Do not let the garlic turn brown.

Add the mushrooms and chopped eggplant flesh to the skillet. Raise the heat to medium, and saute for about 5 minutes, until the vegetables are cooked and tender.

Add 2 tablespoons of the parsley. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Saute for 1 minute.

Add the wine, and saute for 5 minutes.

Return the sausage to the skillet, along with the breadcrumbs and 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese. Mix thoroughly. If the mixture seems too dry, add more wine and/or olive oil, to taste. It should be moist but firm.

Stuff the mixture into the eggplant shells, and sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon of Parmesan cheese.

Cover with foil, and bake for 20 minutes.

Remove and discard the foil.

Bake the eggplant, uncovered, for another 20 minutes, until tender and lightly golden.

Sprinkle with the remaining 1 tablespoon of parsley.

If using as an entree, serve one eggplant half per person. If using as an appetizer or side dish, cut each eggplant half crosswise into 2 or 3 pieces.

-- 2 entree servings or 4-6 appetizer or side servings