• Healthy
• Make-Ahead

Ingredients

PICKLED EGGPLANT

1. 1 pound Japanese eggplants, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
2. Kosher salt
3. 1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
4. 3 tablespoons sherry vinegar
5. 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
6. 4 garlic cloves, smashed
7. 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
8. Freshly ground pepper

LETTUCE SOUP

1. 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
2. 2 medium leeks, white part only, finely chopped
3. 2 garlic cloves, very finely chopped
4. One 2-ounce Yukon Gold potato, peeled and finely chopped
5. 1/2 cup finely chopped fennel bulb
6. 1/2 pound hearts of romaine, thinly sliced crosswise
7. 3 heads Bibb lettuce (about 9 ounces), thinly sliced
8. 3 cups vegetable stock or broth
9. 1 cup coarsely chopped flat-leaf parsley
10. 2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
11. Salt and freshly ground pepper
12. 1/4 cup fresh ricotta, preferably sheep's or goat's milk
13. 1/4 cup coarsely grated ricotta salata (2 ounces)
14. 1 tablespoon minced chives
15. 2 small tomatoes, cut into thin wedges
16. 1 cup baby lettuces
17. 2 tablespoons toasted pine nuts

Directions

1. MAKE THE PICKLED EGGPLANT: Arrange the eggplant slices in a single layer on 2 baking sheets and sprinkle all over with 2 tablespoons of kosher salt. Let the eggplant slices stand for 3 hours. Thoroughly rinse the eggplant and transfer the slices to a clean kitchen towel. Squeeze the eggplant dry.
2. In a glass or ceramic jar, mix the olive oil with the sherry and balsamic vinegars, garlic and crushed pepper; season with salt and pepper. Add the eggplant, cover and refrigerate for 2 days.
3. MAKE THE LETTUCE SOUP: In a large saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Add the leeks, garlic, potato and fennel. Cover and cook over low heat until tender, about 10 minutes. Add the romaine and Bibb lettuces and toss just until wilted, about 30 seconds. Transfer the contents of the saucepan to a blender. Add the vegetable stock, parsley and the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil and puree. Strain the soup through a fine sieve into a medium bowl. Stir in the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate the lettuce soup until chilled.
4. In a small bowl, blend the fresh ricotta with the ricotta salata and chives and season with salt and pepper.
5. Ladle the soup into bowls. Garnish with eggplant rounds and tomato wedges. Using 2 spoons, form the cheese mixture into 8 quenelles and place 2 in each bowl. Scatter the baby lettuces and pine nuts over the soup and serve.

Make Ahead

The pickled eggplant can be refrigerated for up to 1 month. The soup and the ricotta topping can be refrigerated overnight.