EGGPLANT FANS

Ingredients:
------------
3 medium sized eggplants, ends trimmed
2 large, firm tomatores, halved lengthwise, cored and thinly sliced
1/3-1/2 cup olive oil (75 to 125 ml)
1 large onion, finely chopped
4 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
4 tender artichokes
1/2 cup small pitted black olives, rinsed (125 ml)
2 bay leaves, crumbled
1 tsp mixed dried thyme, oregano and savory (5 ml)
Salt and pepper
Instructions:
-------------
Split the eggplants lengthwise. Place the halves, split side down, on a
chopping board, and cut each half lengthwise into 1/2 inch (1 cm)
thicknesses, leaving the slices attached at the stem end to form fans.
Slip tomato slices into the slits of the eggplant halves. Oil a large
gratin dish with 2 tablespoons (30 ml) of the olive oil, and scatter
half the onion and garlic over the bottom. Arrange the eggplant halves,
gently forced together, side by side in the dish.
Pour the remaining olive oil into a bowl. Pare the artichokes to the
hearts and quarter them, removing the chokes; place the hearts
immediately into the oil, turning them around to coat them completely
and protect them from contact with air. Force the quartered artichoke
hearts and the olives into the crevices around the eggplant fans. Fit
in the bay leaf fragments here and there, scatter the remaining onion
and garlic over the surface, and sprinkle with the herbs, salt and
pepper. Press everything into place to form as regular a surface as
possible. Dribble the oil left over from the artichokes over the entire
surface, adding a bit more if necessary. Place a sheet of aluminum foil
loosely over the surface and bake for about 1 1/2 hours, starting with a
very hot oven, preheated to 450F (230C), and turning the heat down to
about 350F (180C) after 10 minutes or so.
When done, the stem ends of the eggplants should be soft to the touch.
Sierve as an hors d'oeuvre, at room temperature.