Best Lindas Summertime Eggplant Salsa Recipes

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SILKY EGGPLANT WITH ALMOND SALSA AND YOGURT



Silky Eggplant With Almond Salsa and Yogurt image

Eggplant that's silky-soft and bubbly-brown all over (rather than tough, oily or fossil-like) is a revelation - and, with just a little maneuvering, it's not that hard. You'll want to sear the eggplant slices in hot oil, cover them for a minute or two, until they're soft, and then add a touch more oil until they're beautifully golden. You could, of course, eat these rounds on their own (and you might!), but spicy almond salsa, cubes of salty, crispy halloumi, and a bed of garlicky yogurt make them a full meal (especially if have warmed pita for swiping everything up). While salting the eggplant slices before you cook isn't completely necessary, it will help draw out some of the vegetable's moisture, making it less prone to bitterness and oil saturation.

Provided by Sarah Jampel

Categories     dinner, lunch, vegetables, main course

Time 50m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 13

3 small or 2 medium Italian eggplant (about 24 ounces total)
Kosher salt
1/2 cup plain, full-fat Greek yogurt
Juice of 1/2 lemon, plus more for serving
2 garlic cloves, 1 smashed and 1 minced
1 teaspoon plus 1/4 to 1/2 cup olive oil
2 heaping tablespoons torn or roughly chopped mint
Black pepper
2/3 cup roughly chopped almonds
3 tablespoons red-wine vinegar
1 Fresno or Serrano pepper, minced
8 ounces halloumi cheese, cut into 1-inch cubes
Pita bread, for serving (optional)

Steps:

  • Line a colander with paper towels or a clean dishcloth. Slice the eggplant into 3/4- to 1-inch rounds, place in the colander and sprinkle with salt. Set aside for 20 to 30 minutes, until water beads on top of the eggplant.
  • Meanwhile, make the yogurt sauce: In a medium bowl, mix the yogurt with the lemon juice, smashed garlic clove, 1 teaspoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the torn mint. Season with salt and pepper to taste and set aside.
  • In a heavy pan with high sides over medium heat, toast the chopped almonds until golden brown and fragrant, 4 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally to avoid burning. Remove pan from the heat and transfer nuts to a medium bowl, then add the red-wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon olive oil, minced garlic clove and Fresno pepper. Mix and season with salt to taste.
  • Set up a plate or cutting board lined with paper towels next to the stove. Wipe out the pan you were working with and heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat until hot. Blot the moisture from the eggplant, and when the oil is hot, add the slices in a single layer (you'll probably have to work in batches). Cook until brown, then flip, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. While browning, as the eggplant is getting dry, add 1 to 2 teaspoons of olive oil and cover the pan for 1 to 2 minutes. The eggplant will be fork-tender and golden brown on both sides when finished. Transfer to the paper towel-lined surface and sprinkle with salt.
  • When you've finished cooking the eggplant, add the cubed cheese to the hot pan, leaving any residual oil (add a teaspoon of olive oil if there's not enough left in the pan). Sauté, stirring frequently, until brown and crisp all over. Remove pan from the heat.
  • Spread the yogurt on a platter. Arrange the eggplant and halloumi on top, then scatter with almond salsa. Garnish with remaining torn mint, then sprinkle with any leftover lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Serve with pita.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 704, UnsaturatedFat 34 grams, Carbohydrate 34 grams, Fat 55 grams, Fiber 16 grams, Protein 26 grams, SaturatedFat 16 grams, Sodium 1337 milligrams, Sugar 17 grams, TransFat 1 gram

SESAME-EGGPLANT SALSA



Sesame-Eggplant Salsa image

Categories     Condiment/Spread     Food Processor     Garlic     Vegetable     Bake     Sauté     Eggplant     Sesame     Bon Appétit

Yield Makes about 4 cups

Number Of Ingredients 15

2 (1- to 1 1/4-pound) eggplants
1 tablespoon vegetable oil or peanut oil
3/4 cup (packed) plus 1 tablespoon minced green onions
2 1/2 tablespoons minced peeled fresh ginger
4 garlic cloves, minced
1 teaspoon chili-garlic sauce*
3 tablespoons (packed) golden brown sugar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon rice vinegar
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
2 large plum tomatoes, seeded, chopped
3/4 cup (packed) plus 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh cilantro
1 1/2 teaspoons oriental sesame oil
Parmesan Pita Crisps
*Available at Asian markets and in the Asian foods section of many supermarkets.

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 425°F. Pierce eggplants all over with fork. Place on baking sheet. Roast in oven until eggplants are very soft and deflated, turning once, about 1 hour. Cool slightly.
  • Cut eggplants in half; scrape flesh into strainer set over large bowl (do not allow bottom of strainer to touch bowl). Let eggplant drain 30 minutes. Transfer eggplant to processor. Using on/off turns, process until almost smooth.
  • Heat vegetable oil in heavy large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 3/4 cup green onions, ginger, garlic and chili-garlic sauce; sauté just until onions soften, about 45 seconds. Stir in brown sugar, soy sauce, vinegar and lemon juice. Bring to simmer, stirring constantly. Mix in eggplant puree and cook until heated through, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat. Stir in tomatoes, 3/4 cup cilantro and sesame oil. Cool to room temperature. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to medium bowl. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before serving.)
  • Garnish eggplant salsa with 1 tablespoon each green onions and cilantro. Serve with Parmesan Pita Crisps.

GRILLED EGGPLANT WITH CAPONATA SALSA



Grilled Eggplant with Caponata Salsa image

Bright, fresh, and vinegary-tart, this is a fun play on Sicilian caponata, a dish made with eggplant, tomatoes, onions, and olives. For a twist on the classic, I like to serve slices of eggplant topped with chunky tomato salsa. The dish can be a first course or part of an easy buffet lunch.

Provided by Dorie Greenspan

Yield Makes 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 12-ounce container grape or cherry tomatoes, quartered lengthwise
2 celery stalks, finely diced
1/2 cup chopped Vidalia or Maui onion
5 large green olives, pitted, thinly sliced (about 2 tablespoons)
2 tablespoons coarsely chopped fresh oregano plus sprigs for garnish
1 tablespoon drained capers, rinsed
1 garlic clove, minced
Pinch of dried crushed red pepper
3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil plus additional for brushing
1 large eggplant (1 1/2 to 1 3/4 pounds), trimmed

Steps:

  • Mix tomatoes, celery, onion, olives, chopped oregano, capers, garlic, and crushed red pepper in medium bowl. Whisk red wine vinegar and 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil in small bowl; pour over tomato mixture and toss to coat. Season caponata to taste with salt and pepper. DO AHEAD: Caponata can be prepared 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.
  • Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Peel eggplant lengthwise to create alternating 2-inch-wide intervals of peeled and unpeeled skin. Cut eggplant crosswise into 6 slices, each about 1 inch thick. Brush eggplant slices with oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill eggplant slices until slightly charred and very tender when pierced with knife, about 8 minutes per side.
  • Place 1 grilled eggplant slice on each of 6 plates. Spoon caponata over, garnish with oregano sprigs, and serve warm or at room temperature.

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