The eggplants in our garden are ripening on an almost daily basis. It's hard to keep up but this is such a glorious time of year, especially when it comes to food. Here are eight tried and true ways to enjoy eggplant's delicious, nutty, sweet, almost meaty flavor.
Grilled Eggplant Stacks with Tomatoes, Feta & Basil
A delicious way to enjoy fresh tomatoes and eggplant. The stacks are particularly fun for kids -- if yours eat vegetables :)
Thai-Style Eggplant Salad with Scallions, Herbs & Greens
This is one of my favorite ways to enjoy eggplants. The combination of the sweet, nutty roasted eggplant rounds with the zesty lime, spicy sriracha, the scallions, cilantro and greens is complex and divine.
Roasted Eggplant and Tomato Gratin
This is a much easier, lighter version of eggplant Parmesan that I love. You layer slices of nutty, roasted eggplant with tomato sauce and parmesan and bake the whole thing until it's beautifully browned and bubbling.
Pomegranate Roasted Eggplant with Toasted Pecans & Chives
Roasting the eggplant slices with pomegranate molasses turns them into the most amazing little savory candies. Paired with toasted pecans and some chives (cheese is optional), it makes a delicious side.
Ratatouille and Sausage Potpie with Cornmeal Biscuit Topping
The perfect dish for late summer and early fall - sautee eggplants, tomatoes, bell peppers, zucchini and basil with sausage and top with decadent cornmeal biscuits. It's not a quick meal but it's so worth the time. Please forgive the photos - this was before I knew anything about lighting...
Hasselback Eggplant with Pesto and Tomato
This recipe is so wonderfully simple and easy. Although I first made it in the woodstove since it was the dead of winter, you can use either the grill or your oven. Slice an eggplant, brush each slice with olive oil, salt and pepper then smear pesto and tomato paste between each slice, wrap the whole thing in tinfoil and grill or roast until soft and meltingly flavorful.
This recipe is so wonderfully simple and easy. Although I first made it in the woodstove since it was the dead of winter, you can use either the grill or your oven. Slice an eggplant, brush each slice with olive oil, salt and pepper then smear pesto and tomato paste between each slice, wrap the whole thing in tinfoil and grill or roast until soft and meltingly flavorful.
This is a perfect way to make use of the late summer bounty. Roasted eggplant, summer squash + sungold tomatoes + basil + a blizzard of Parmesan = delicious pasta!
This dip is a Levantine favorite and with good reason. Eggplant's silky, nutty, sweet flavor is amplified by the addition of lemon juice, tahini paste, garlic, and cumin. Baba ghanoush is a wonderful, healthy snack when served with sliced carrots, cucumbers, celery, peppers or pita bread and an essential part of any mezze-style meal.
You might also like:
EmoticonEmoticon