Best Griddled Aubergines With Yogurt Mint Recipes

GRILLED EGGPLANT WITH YOGHURT SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine the Yoghurt Sauce ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Set aside for the flavours to develop. The longer you leave it, the better it will taste.
• Use a potato peeler to peel "strips" off the eggplant vertically as per the photo below. If your potato peeler is not sharp enough or if the eggplant is on the soft side, you might need to do this with a small sharp knife.
• Cut the eggplant into 1.5cm / 2/3" thick rounds.
• Brush one side of each eggplant with olive oil. The more you use, the yummier it will be!
• Sprinkle the oiled side of the eggplant with salt and pepper.
• Heat a griddle pan (or BBQ) on medium high heat. (Note 5)
• Place the oiled side of each eggplant onto the pan and grill for 2 to 3 minutes until it gets deep char lines on it. While the first side is cooking, brush the other side of each eggplant with the remaining olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Turn the eggplant and cook the other side until the eggplant is cooked through but still holding it's shape. The easy way to tell is to prod the centre - if you feel resistance, it needs to cook more.
• Remove the eggplant onto a serving plate and let it cool for a few minutes. Then spoon a dollop of the yoghurt sauce on each, and scatter with coriander/cilantro, mint, pomegranate seeds and chili. Drizzle with extra olive oil and serve with cheeks or wedges of lemon, if desired.

GRIDDLED AUBERGINES WITH SESAME DRESSING

Steps:

• Brush each aubergine slice with some oil, then season. Heat a griddle pan or barbecue. When hot, griddle the aubergine slices for 2-3 mins on each side until golden brown and tender.
• Mix the yogurt with the tahini, garlic, lemon juice and herbs, then season. Top the aubergines with the dressing and scatter over extra herb leaves.

AUBERGINE WITH YOGURT & TOMATO SAUCES

Steps:

• Trim the aubergine and cut lengthways into 6 thick slices. Season all over and brush with 2 tbsp of the oil. Heat the remaining oil in a small pan and add the tomatoes, garlic and chilli flakes, along with a little salt. Cook gently for 3-4 mins until the tomatoes are just softened. In a small bowl, mix the yogurt with the mint and some seasoning.
• Heat a barbecue, griddle pan or grill, then cook the aubergine slices for 5-6 mins each side until nicely browned and softened. Serve 3 slices per person with the minty yogurt and tomato sauces.

GRILLED EGGPLANT WITH YOGURT-MINT SAUCE

Steps:

• Mix first 5 ingredients in medium bowl; season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Rub eggplant rounds on both sides with sesame oil. Sprinkle with coriander, salt, and pepper. Grill until slightly charred, about 6 minutes per side.
• Arrange eggplant rounds on platter. Serve with yogurt-mint sauce.

GRIDDLED VEGETABLES WITH MELTING AUBERGINES

Steps:

• Grill the aubergine, turning frequently, until soft all over and the skin is blistered, about 8-10 mins. Alternatively, if you have a gas hob, cook it directly over the flame. When it is cool enough to handle, remove the skin, finely chop the flesh and mix with the lemon juice, 1 chopped clove garlic, 1 tbsp parsley, 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil and the seeds. Mix the remaining parsley with the remaining chopped garlic and the lemon zest.
• Meanwhile, mix the thyme, crushed garlic and rapeseed oil and toss with the vegetables, keeping the onions as slices rather than breaking up into rings. Heat a large griddle pan and char the vegetables until tender and marked with lines - the tomatoes will need the least time. Pile onto plates with the aubergine purée and olives, drizzle over a little extra olive oil and scatter with the parsley, lemon zest and garlic.

GRIDDLED AUBERGINE SALAD WITH SULTANAS & PINE NUTS

Steps:

• Heat a griddle pan or a barbecue. Brush the aubergine slices with some olive oil, season, then griddle the slices in batches, turning when they are charring and tender. Watch the heat so that they don't char before they soften. Remove to a large serving platter and leave at room temperature until serving.
• Put the Sherry vinegar and honey in a small pan, and bring to a simmer. Throw in the sultanas and bubble for 5-10 mins until reduced a little - it will thicken up more on cooling. Set aside until ready to serve.
• Drizzle the syrupy dressing all over the aubergines, scatter with parsley and pine nuts, and serve with a bowl of Greek yogurt.