Roasted Vegetable and Goat Cheese Torte

***  not tested yet ***

from "New Vegetarian Cooking" by Rose Elliot; p. 48

MUST BE PREPARED SEVERAL HOURS OR NIGHT BEFORE SERVING

Special equipment:

  • non-stick baking paper (parchment paper)
  • 9 inch cake pan with removable base

Ingredients:

  • 5 red bell peppers, halved and seeded
  • 5 eggplant cut into 1/4 inch slices
  • 4 T balsamic vinegar
  • 3 T olive oil
  • salt and freshly ground black pepper
  • 1 lb. 10 oz. goat cheese logs (with soft rind), slced
  • 12 sund-dried tomatoes, chopped
  • bunch of basil

Directions:

  1. Set broiler to high.  Arragne the peppers on the broiler pan, cut-side down. No need to oil them.  Broil for about 10 to 15 minutes, until they are really tender and blackened in places.  Remove from the broiler.  Sprinkle with half of the balsamic vinegar and some salt and pepper.  Leave to cool.
  2. Brush the eggplant slices on both sides with live oil.  Broil until golden brown on one side, then turn over and broil the other side. Takes 10 to 15 minutes.  Make sure they are really tender.  Mix with salt, pepper, and the remaining balsamic vinegar.
  3. Put a circle of nonstick baking paper into the base of a 9 inch round cake pan with a removable base.  Cover the base and sides of the pan with the slices of eggplant.  Next, add a layer of peppers, squashing the halves flat, then top with a layer of goat cheese, half of the sun-dried tomatoes, and a thin layer of basil leaves.  Repeat the layers, finishing with a layer of eggplant.  Put several layers of paper towels on top of the torte and top with a plate.  Stand the pan on another plate in case it oozes liquid, then put a weight on it and leave for several hours or overnight in a cool place.
  4. To serve, remove the paper towels  and blot with some clean paper towels.  Invert the torte onto a plate.  It should slip out easily.  Sprinkle with some more basil leaves.

Alternative:  Use 4 large ripe avocados instead of the goat cheese.   After slicing, toss avocados with lemon juice, salt and pepper.  Use instead of goat cheese.