EGGPLANT INVOLTINI

Photo: Johnny Autry; Styling: Leigh Ann Ross

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 pounds tomatoes, seeded and coarsely chopped (about 3 large)
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
• 4 garlic cloves, crushed and divided
• 12 (1/4-inch-thick) lengthwise slices eggplant (about 2 medium)
• 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
• Cooking spray
• 2 tablespoons pine nuts, lightly toasted
• 1 ounce whole-wheat French bread, toasted and torn into pieces
• 8 ounces part-skim ricotta cheese
• 1 teaspoon grated lemon rind
• 1 large egg
• 3/4 cup chopped fresh basil leaves, divided
• 2 ounces Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, grated (about 1/2 cup) and divided

DIRECTIONS:
• Combine oil and tomatoes in a medium saucepan; stir in 1/4 teaspoon salt and 2 garlic cloves. Bring to a boil over medium-high heat; reduce heat, and simmer 15 minutes or until reduced to 2 cups. Cool 10 minutes. Place mixture in a food processor; process until smooth. Set aside.
• Preheat broiler to high.
• Sprinkle eggplant slices evenly with 1/4 teaspoon salt and pepper; arrange slices in a single layer on a foil-lined baking sheet. Lightly coat eggplant with cooking spray. Broil 4 minutes on each side or until lightly browned. Cool 10 minutes
• Preheat oven to 375 F.
• Place remaining 2 garlic cloves in a mini food processor; pulse until chopped. Add nuts and bread; pulse 10 times or until coarse crumbs form. Add ricotta, rind, and egg; process until smooth. Stir in 1/2 cup basil and 1/4 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano.
• Spread 1 1/2 cups tomato sauce over the bottom of an 8-inch square glass or ceramic baking dish coated with cooking spray. Spread 2 tablespoons ricotta mixture onto each eggplant slice; roll up jelly-roll fashion. Place rolls, seam sides down, over sauce in dish. Spoon remaining sauce over rolls. Sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano. Bake at 375° for 25 minutes or until bubbly. Sprinkle with remaining basil. © Recipe courtesy of Sidney Fry, MS, RD and Cooking Light.

JUNE WINESTYLES WINE CLUB

It Was a Very Good Year
Petit Verdot
Santa Barbara, California
Martellotto Winery

The Happy Canyon AVA is one of the youngest in Santa Barbara, established in 2009. Located in the southeast part of the larger Santa Ynez Valley, this is the hottest part of the valley and furthest from the ocean. Rolling hills sit atop a serpentine-laced terroir that is primarily planted to Bordeaux varietals. Petit Verdot traces its noble lineage to Bordeaux, where it is typically used as a blending grape. The final wine was loved so much, Martellotto Winery transformed the side show into the main event. This is one of very few Petit Verdot dominate wines produced anywhere. Located in Buellton, California, the Martellotto Winery focuses on vibrant Bordeaux varietals. It’s one of few California wineries bottling and producing varietal wines from each of the five noble Bordeaux grapes.

“Stylish, ethereal, and abundantly rich, this wine excites with aromas of bouquet garni, violet and rose petal. Flavors of black cherry, plum, graphite and mocha round out a plush and pleasing ink monster. Varietally correct and precise, classic like a Frank Sinatra song. A rare beast with bold fruit.” – Greg Martellotto, winemaker

Winemaker: Greg Martellotto
Appellation: Happy Canyon AVA, Santa Ynez Valley, California
Varietal Blend:  80% Petit Verdot, 20% Malbec
Analysis: 14.25% alcohol / volume
Critical Acclaim: Reviewed and approved by Doug Frost, Master Sommelier and Master of Wine