ROASTED EGGPLANT AND OLIVE SPREAD WITH PITA BREAD CHIPS

Roasted Eggplant and Olive Spread with Pita Bread Chips image

Provided by Patrick Corrigan

Yield Makes about 2 cups of spread

Number Of Ingredients 7

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3 1-pound eggplants
3 6- to 7-inch-diameter pita breads, cut horizontally in half
Olive oil
1/4 cup chopped pitted Kalamata olives or other brine-cured black olives
3 large garlic cloves, minced
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
2 teaspoons ground cumin

Steps:

Preheat oven to 475°F. Pierce eggplants with fork. Place on baking sheet. Roast until skins are blackened and eggplants are soft, turning occasionally, about 1 hour. Cut eggplants in half. Spoon flesh into strainer set over bowl; drain 15 minutes. Maintain oven temperature.
Meanwhile, brush pita rounds lightly with oil. Sprinkle pita rounds with salt and pepper. Cut each pita round into 6 wedges. Arrange wedges on clean baking sheet. Bake until crisp, about 4 minutes; cool.
Transfer drained eggplant to medium bowl. Mix in olives, garlic, vinegar, cumin and 1 tablespoon oil. Season spread with salt and pepper. Mound in small bowl. Serve with chips.