Show Stopper Appetizer

I recently saw an advertisement for fried chicken. “So good it’ll make you slap yo’ mama” it said. Hmph…they didn’t know my mama. The only thing that could have made me slap her was temporary insanity. But this appetizer or first course comes close….very close :)

Many years ago there was a restaurant on the Mississippi Gulf Coast called White Pillars. The Biloxi restaurant was known far and wide for its signature appetizer Eggplant Josephine. The restaurant closed even before Katrina devastated the area. However, with a little bit of research I managed to find what I believe to be the original recipe. It has since become our favorite appetizer or side dish for very special meals or dinner parties. The holidays are right around the corner and this is a real show stopper to serve guests!!

Eggplant Josephine

1 large eggplant

2 tablespoons flour

Olive oil

Shredded mozzarella cheese

1 pound crabmeat

1/4 cup butter

1/2 cup dry white wine

Hollandaise

Meat sauce

Peel the eggplant and slice 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick. I salt it lightly and let it sit about 20 minutes. Rinse thoroughly and pat dry. This process called degorging draws out the moisture and any bitter taste sometimes present in eggplant. Flour and saute in olive oil until lightly browned. Drain and set aside. To make the crabmeat topping: Clean and pick crabmeat. Melt butter and add wine. Simmer a few minutes and set aside.

Hollandaise Sauce

Beat two eggs until frothy. Blend in 2 cups mayonnaise and add 1/2 tablespoon Worcestershire sauce. Blend in 2 tablespoons dry mustard, salt, and white pepper to taste.

To assemble: Layer eggplant slices in a shallow baking pan. Top with crabmeat mixture, meat sauce, and shredded cheese. Bake at 450 degrees until bubbly. Top with warm hollandaise and garnish with paprika.

As always, we tweak recipes around here and adapt to suit our own tastes. Personally, I prefer mine without the meat sauce. We also make our own hollandaise or cheat and use a packaged mix with a little lemon juice added. Either way….it’s good….a real show stopper. Just don’t “slap yo’ mama” :)

I hope you enjoyed this “beachy” week with me. I am joining Michael Lee West, our favorite foodie for Foodie Friday. Click on the FF button on the sidebar for immediate transportation! Don’t forget to say hello!