Eggplant With Minty Sauce And Yogurt Recipes

GRILLED EGGPLANT WITH YOGURT AND MINT

Steps:

• Stripe the eggplant with a vegetable peeler and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Sprinkle the eggplant slices generously with salt, place in a colander and let sit 30 minutes. Rinse the eggplant under cold water and pat thoroughly dry.
• Meanwhile, combine the olive oil and garlic in a small glass cup, and microwave just until the oil is hot and bubbling, about 20 seconds. Whisk together the yogurt, mint, cumin, cayenne, 2 tablespoons water and salt to taste in a small bowl.
• Heat a grill pan over medium-high heat or prepare an outdoor grill for medium-heat cooking. Brush the eggplant slices on both sides with the oil and garlic mixture. Grill until the eggplant is browned and tender, moving and turning the slices frequently, about 15 minutes. Drizzle the mint sauce onto the eggplant slices.
• Per serving: Calories: 110; Total Fat: 7 grams; Saturated Fat: 1 gram; Protein: 3 grams; Total carbohydrates: 11 grams; Sugar: 5 grams; Fiber: 6 grams; Cholesterol: 0 milligrams; Sodium: 130 milligrams

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.

GRILLED EGGPLANT WITH YOGURT-MINT SAUCE

Steps:

• Mix first 5 ingredients in medium bowl; season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Rub eggplant rounds on both sides with sesame oil. Sprinkle with coriander, salt, and pepper. Grill until slightly charred, about 6 minutes per side.
• Arrange eggplant rounds on platter. Serve with yogurt-mint sauce.

SILKY EGGPLANT WITH ALMOND SALSA AND YOGURT

Steps:

• Line a colander with paper towels or a clean dishcloth. Slice the eggplant into 3/4- to 1-inch rounds, place in the colander and sprinkle with salt. Set aside for 20 to 30 minutes, until water beads on top of the eggplant.
• Meanwhile, make the yogurt sauce: In a medium bowl, mix the yogurt with the lemon juice, smashed garlic clove, 1 teaspoon olive oil and 1 tablespoon of the torn mint. Season with salt and pepper to taste and set aside.
• In a heavy pan with high sides over medium heat, toast the chopped almonds until golden brown and fragrant, 4 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally to avoid burning. Remove pan from the heat and transfer nuts to a medium bowl, then add the red-wine vinegar, 1 tablespoon olive oil, minced garlic clove and Fresno pepper. Mix and season with salt to taste.
• Set up a plate or cutting board lined with paper towels next to the stove. Wipe out the pan you were working with and heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium-high heat until hot. Blot the moisture from the eggplant, and when the oil is hot, add the slices in a single layer (you'll probably have to work in batches). Cook until brown, then flip, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. While browning, as the eggplant is getting dry, add 1 to 2 teaspoons of olive oil and cover the pan for 1 to 2 minutes. The eggplant will be fork-tender and golden brown on both sides when finished. Transfer to the paper towel-lined surface and sprinkle with salt.
• When you've finished cooking the eggplant, add the cubed cheese to the hot pan, leaving any residual oil (add a teaspoon of olive oil if there's not enough left in the pan). Sauté, stirring frequently, until brown and crisp all over. Remove pan from the heat.
• Spread the yogurt on a platter. Arrange the eggplant and halloumi on top, then scatter with almond salsa. Garnish with remaining torn mint, then sprinkle with any leftover lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Serve with pita.