Aubergine Pomegranate Salad Recipes

AUBERGINE & POMEGRANATE SALAD

Steps:

• Slice the aubergine into 1cm-thick rounds. Peel the garlic cloves.
• In a large pan on a medium heat, fry the aubergine slices in generous amounts of olive oil, about 5 to 6 minutes on each side, or until golden brown - you will need to do this in batches, adding more oil as necessary, as aubergines absorb a lot.
• Transfer to folded paper towels to drain, and allow to cool before chilling until needed.
• For the dressing, pick and finely chop the mint leaves. Using a pestle and mortar, crush the garlic and a pinch of sea salt into a paste. When smooth, mix in the extra virgin olive oil, vinegar, pomegranate molasses and mint.
• Arrange the aubergine slices on a serving plate, then top with the yoghurt, drizzle over the dressing and scatter over the pomegranate seeds.

AUBERGINE SALAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 and line a baking tray with foil. Prick the aubergine with a sharp knife to prevent it from exploding, then put it on the prepared tray and roast for 45-55 mins until the skin is wrinkled and it is very soft.
• While the aubergine is roasting, make the dressing. Mix together the lemon juice, chilli, if using, the pomegranate molasses, garlic and olive oil in a bowl. Season and set aside.
• When the aubergine is cool enough to handle, peel and place it in a colander. Press down on it very gently over a bowl to allow the juices to run out, then transfer the aubergine to a serving plate and cut into large pieces. Dress quickly with half of the dressing, then add the spring onions, cherry tomatoes and peppers to the plate. Pour over the remaining dressing and mix with your hands or a spoon to coat. Serve scattered with mint, pomegranate seeds and more olive oil drizzled over.

EGGPLANT AND POMEGRANATE SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Take the eggplant (this is about 2 medium ones) and prick the skins so they don't rupture, place on a rack over a pan to catch drippings. Bake one hour. (Optionally, grill over charcoal instead.)
• Remove eggplant, allow to cool just enough that you can remove the skins. Chop coarsely.
• Heat oil in large skillet at medium. Crush the garlic, and slice the onions very thin. Fry for 10-15 minutes, with stirring.
• Slice the tomatoes, add these and the pomegranate paste, and stir for another ten minutes.
• Add eggplant and spices, simmering over reduced heat for another 25 minutes.
• Allow to come to near room temperature, chill in refrigerator and serve over lettuce with, if you have it, a good Persian bread. Garnish, if available, with a sprinking of pomegranate seeds.

EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) WITH POMEGRANATE MOLASSES

Steps:

• Start the preparation the day before serving.
• Preheat the oven to 425F degrees.
• Lightly coat a baking sheet with olive oil.
• Remove the stem end from each eggplant.
• Slice the eggplants on the bias into 1/2-inch thick ovals.
• Spread the slices on the baking sheet in a single layer and brush with olive oil.
• Bake the eggplants 12 minutes on each side, or until golden brown.
• Using a spatula, transfer the slices, overlapping slightly, to a shallow serving dish.
• In a small bowl, combine the Pomegranate Molasses, lemon juice, garlic, sugar, olive oil, and salt; blend well.
• Drizzle the sauce over the eggplant.
• Top with the mint, parsley and pomegranate seeds.
• Cover with plastic wrap and let stand until ready to serve.
• (Can be refrigerated overnight, but is best served at room temperature.).

ROASTED AUBERGINE WITH POMEGRANATES & PARSLEY

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Halve the aubergines lengthways, then chop them into cubes, about 2.5cm across. Transfer to a large bowl.
• Using a pestle and mortar or small food processor, break the coriander and cumin seeds down a little, so that they are crushed but not ground to a powder. Add them to the aubergines. Next add the olive oil and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Use your hands and turn the aubergines over in the oil and spices until evenly coated. Tip onto a baking tray that can hold the aubergines in a single layer. Cook for 30-35 mins, turning once, until crisp, dark at the edges and utterly squashy.
• Cool to almost to room temperature before transferring to a bowl and mixing in the parsley. Season, then drizzle with a little oil. Dollop over yogurt and scatter with pomegranate seeds before serving.