Best Tart And Spicy Roasted Eggplant Salad Recipes

SMOKY EGGPLANT SALAD WITH YOGURT AND MINT

Steps:

• Put the whole eggplants on a barbecue grate over hot coals. Turning frequently, cook until the skin is completely blackened and charred and eggplants begin to soften and collapse, about 10 minutes. Alternatively cook them directly on a stovetop burner or under the broiler. Set aside to cool.
• Cut eggplants in quarters top to bottom and carefully separate the flesh from the skin with a spoon or paring knife. Discard the charred skin. Chop flesh roughly with a large knife or in a food processor and put it in a fine-meshed sieve to drain excess liquid.
• Transfer eggplants to a mixing bowl. Add salt, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, yogurt and dried mint. Mix well, then set aside to rest for a few minutes. Check seasoning and adjust.
• Put mixture in a low serving bowl. Drizzle with pomegranate molasses, if using, and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Sprinkle with chopped mint and parsley and a pinch of red pepper flakes.

SPICY EGGPLANT SALAD WITH SESAME OIL

Steps:

• Cook the eggplants in a covered steamer over rapidly boiling water until tender, about 10 minutes. Let cool, then peel. Put the flesh in a fine meshed strainer to drain excess liquid.
• Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, vinegar, lime juice, salt and sugar. Add garlic, ginger, sesame oil, vegetable oil and hot pepper oil, if using.
• Put drained eggplants in a bowl. Using 2 forks, shred the eggplants a bit, then pour dressing over and toss, coating well. Leave to rest for 10 minutes, then taste and adjust seasoning.
• Just before serving, stir in chopped cilantro. Pile eggplants on a platter and sprinkle with scallions. Garnish with serrano chile, if using, and cilantro sprigs.

TART AND SPICY ROASTED EGGPLANT SALAD

Steps:

• If you have a charcoal or other type of grill, or a fireplace, light a fire in plenty of time to have hot coals by the time you're ready to roast the eggplants. Otherwise, preheat your oven to 375 degrees.
• Using a fork, prick the eggplant at least an inch deep in a dozen places. (This is important. I once had a large unpricked eggplant explode in my oven; the cleanup took days.)
• Set the eggplant on a grill about 8 inches above the coals, or place on a rack in the preheated oven. Roast the eggplant on the grill for about 20 minutes, turning frequently, until the outside is black and charred and the inside is tender all the way through. In the oven, it will take 40 minutes and should also be turned frequently.
• At the same time, roast and peel the chilies. Trim them of seeds and white membranes. Any juices from the chilies should be kept to add to the eggplant puree. Slice one of the chilies into narrow strips and set aside. Chop the other one roughly.
• When the eggplant is cool enough to handle, strip away and discard the dark skin and mash the flesh with a potato masher or an immersion blender, gradually mixing in the yogurt, olive oil, lemon juice, and any juices from the chilies.
• Combine the garlic and salt in a mortar and pound to a paste. Add the chopped chilies to the mortar and crush with the paste. (You may use a blender or food processor for this step if you wish, but don't put the eggplant into the blender; the texture is much better when it's done by hand.) Fold the chili-garlic mixture into the eggplant. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with the chili strips, like the spokes of a wheel.
• Melitzanasalata could also be served as a side dish with meat, especially lamb, in which case it will make 4 to 6 servings.