Eggplant Cheesecake
Serves 4-6 as a side dish, 10-12 as an appetizer
Ingredients
- 2 medium eggplants,, (1 ½ pounds)
- Olive oil
- 5 ounces feta cheese,, crumbled
- 5 ounces cream cheese,, softened
- 3 large eggs
- ¼ cup heavy cream
- 1 cup grape tomatoes,, cut in half
- 1 Tablespoon dried oregano,, divided
- 1 ½ teaspoons Za’Atar,, available online or at specialty spice shops
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 400ºF.
- Slice eggplants into ¾" thick slices. Oil a foil lined baking sheet and brush slices lightly with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper.
- Roast eggplant for 40 minutes or until soft and golden.
- Meanwhile, prepare an 8" square pan. Double line with foil with 2" extra foil hanging off of each side. Brush foil with olive oil.
- In a mixing bowl, gently combine the feta, cream cheese, eggs and heavy cream and beat well. Season with pepper.
- When eggplants are ready, remove from oven and reduce oven temperature to 325ºF.
Assemble the Cheesecake:
- Lay eggplant slices evenly in the prepared oiled foil lined pan and place tomatoes in any nooks and crannies.
- Sprinkle ½ Tablespoon oregano over the top.
- Pour the cream mixture evenly over the eggplants.
- Sprinkle the top with remaining ½ Tablespoon oregano.
- Bake at 325ºF until the custard sets and the top is golden, about 35 to 40 minutes.
- Allow a few minutes to cool.
- Lift the "cheesecake" by removing from the pan lifting the foil.
- Thoroughly combine the Za'Atar with a little oil to make a paste and brush over the top.
- As an appetizer, cut into 1-½" cubes or larger squares as a light meal.
Notes
Gr8 Do Ahead Tip:
Prepare Eggplant Cheesecake the day before up through Step 3 of the "Assemble the Cheesecake" instructions. Cover and refrigerate. While the oven is preheating remove the dish from the fridge and let sit at room temperature to take some of the chill off before baking. Then bake and enjoy!Gr8 Notes:
*Za'Atar ( which means "thyme") is traditionally made with a combination of dried herbs, such as Marjoram and thyme. Now commonly made with a variety of herbs and spices. **Washi tape is patterned tissue paper "tape", available online, at craft stores, scrapbooking stores, and Target. Tried this recipe?Mention @Great8Friends or tag #gr8food!