BAKLAZHANNAIA IKRA(POOR MAN'S CAVIAR)

BAKLAZHANNAIA IKRA(POOR MAN'S CAVIAR) image

Yield 8 people

Number Of Ingredients 10

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1 large eggplant
1 cup finely chopped onions
6 Tbs olive oil
½ cup chopped green pepper
1 tsp finely chopped garlic
2 large tomatoes, peeled, seeded and finely chopped.
½ tsp sugar
pinch ground black pepper
2-3 Tbs lemon juice
2 tsp salt

Steps:

Preheat the oven to 425 F, Bake the eggplant on a rack in the center of the oven for about an hour, turning it over once or twice until it is soft and its skin is charred (poke a few small holes in it so it won't explode). Meanwhile, cook the onions in 4 Tbs of olive oil over moderate heat for 6-8 minutes until they are soft but not brown. Stir in the green pepper and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, for 5 minutes longer. With a rubber spatula, scrape the contents of the skillet into a mixing bowl. Remove the skin from the baked eggplant with a small sharp knife, then chop the eggplant pulp finely, almost to a puree. Add it to the mixing bowl and stir in the tomatoes, sugar, salt, and a few grindings of black pepper. Mix together thoroughly. Heat the remaining 2 Tbs of olive oil in the skillet over moderate heat and pour in the eggplant mixture. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, then turn the heat to low, cover the skillet and simmer for an hour. Remove the cover and cook for an additional half hour, stirring from time to time, until all moisture in the pan has evaporated and the mixture is thick enough to hold its shape in a spoon. Stir in 2 Tbs of lemon juice and taste for seasoning, adding more salt, pepper, and lemon juice to taste. Transfer the "caviar" to a mixing bowl and chill, covered with plastic wrap, until ready to serve. Serve on squares of rye or pumpernickel bread or on some sesame seed crackers.