Eggplant and Pepper Tian on Fried Eggplant

Directions

1. 1
   Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F.
2. 2
   Place 1/2-teaspoon extra virgin olive oil in a saute pan and add garlic cloves and bacon. Cook until bacon is slightly crisp. Blot the salted eggplant with paper towels to dry slightly. Discard 1/2 of the fat and add the eggplant. Cook until tender, season with fresh thyme, salt, and pepper.
3. 3
   Drain and remove garlic.
4. 4
   In 2 separate saute pans add the remaining extra virgin olive oil and gently saute the red and yellow peppers until tender. Season with salt, pepper, and basil chiffonade.
5. 5
   Drain. Form the tians by placing a layer of eggplant in a ring mold and packing it down gently. Next, add a layer of red peppers, then eggplant, finishing up with yellow peppers. Pack everything down gently. Warm when ready to serve and place on a piece of fried eggplant.