Grilled Eggplant With Middle Eastern Spices Recipe 4

GRILLED EGGPLANT WITH MIDDLE EASTERN SPICES RECIPE - (4/5)

Steps:

• Slice eggplant into slices about half an inch thick. Sprinkle with coriander, cumin, and pepper. Drizzle with olive oil and smear it on with your hands. Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes. Sprinkle with salt and grill on a medium-hot grill, about 4 minutes per side. If you like more spice, whisk a little hot pepper into the olive oil before drizzling. Aleppo pepper is an authentic Middle Eastern one, or a little Harissa paste. Cayenne or other hot pepper works fine if that's what's on hand. Each eggplant serves 3-4. Nutritional Information: Figuring four servings and 1 Tablespoon olive oil, each serving has 4 grams effective carbohydrate plus 3 grams fiber and 60 calories.

GRILLED EGGPLANT WITH MINT

Steps:

• Grill 4 small Japanese eggplants over medium-high heat, turning, until very soft, 15 minutes. Cook 3 sliced garlic cloves in 3 tablespoons olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat; add a pinch of red pepper flakes. Trim the ends off the eggplant and split open. Scrape the flesh with a fork and season with salt. Top with the garlic oil and sliced mint.

PERFECT GRILLED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Meanwhile, heat a charcoal or gas grill to medium-high heat. You should be able to hold your hand about an inch above the cooking grate for 3 to 4 seconds before pulling it away from the heat.

"THE EGGPLANT" - A MEDITERRANEAN/MIDDLE EASTERN INSPIRED DISH

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Lightly oil a baking sheet.
• Remove the tough stem end of the eggplants and slice the eggplants in half lengthwise. Scoop out the seeds. Spray the cut sides with cooking spray and sprinkle with salt, then place cut-side down on the prepared baking sheet. Spray the skins with more cooking spray. Bake until the skins and insides are very tender, 25 to 35 minutes.
• While the eggplant is baking, toast the pine nuts in a large cast-iron or stainless steel skillet over medium heat until evenly browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Remove and set aside.
• In the same skillet without washing, add the grapeseed oil and saute the onions over medium heat until almost tender and caramelized, about 9 minutes; do not overcrowd the skillet or the onions will not caramelize properly. Sprinkle in the nutmeg and salt to taste during the cooking time. Add the anisette and increase the heat to medium high for 30 to 40 seconds, allowing it to flambe if you can do so safely (see Cook's Note). Reduce the heat back to medium and continue to cook until the onions are tender and caramelized, another 2 to 3 minutes.
• Salt the chopped tomatoes generously.
• To serve: On a large platter, arrange the eggplants cut-side up, then cover each half evenly and generously with the onion mixture, followed by the chopped tomatoes, mint, pine nuts, oregano and pomegranate seeds. Drizzle evenly with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and white pepper to taste. Serve warm with crusty bread and olive oil with crushed red pepper for dipping. Pair with a full-bodied red or white wine.

GRILLED EGGPLANT AND PEPPERS WITH FETA

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Place eggplant and all bell peppers into a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat. Sprinkle with steak seasoning; coat well.
• Place eggplant and bell pepper slices directly on the preheated grill. Cook until eggplant is softened, marked, and slightly charred and peppers are softened and marked, 15 to 20 minutes, turning every 3 to 5 minutes. Reduce heat as necessary to prevent burning.
• Remove from grill. Arrange in 4 piles, starting with a slice of eggplant and alternating eggplant and pepper slices, including one slice of each bell pepper color in each pile. Top with feta cheese. Sprinkle with basil and oregano. Serve warm.

SPICY GRILLED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Brush eggplant slices with oil. Drizzle with lime juice; sprinkle with Cajun seasoning. Let stand 5 minutes. , Grill eggplant, covered, over medium heat or broil 4 in. from heat until tender, 4-5 minutes per side.

GRILLED EGGPLANT DRIZZLED WITH MULTIPLE MIDDLE-EASTERN FLAVOURS

Steps:

• Grill whole eggplants in the oven turning to char or directly over a flame. The charred taste of flame-grilled eggplant is more authentic.
• Use tongs to turn the eggplant from side to side, ensuring that it's cooked and soft all over. Place the hot, grilled eggplant in a paper bag or inside a covered dish and allow it to cool slightly. This makes it easier to peel.
• Remove the eggplant to a plate and get a small bowl of cold water ready. When it's just cool enough to handle by its cap end, wet your fingers and pick off the charred peel.
• Cut it in half horizontally.
• Lay the eggplant down again and press a fork through the flesh, make striations along its length.
• Squeeze some lemon juice over the surface.
• Sprinkle cumin, sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste, over it.
• Add crushed garlic to labneh and mix very well.
• Drizzle it up and down its length. Criss-cross the surface with a trail of labneh.
• Drizzle it with date syrup and pomegranate molasses. You want only a little sweetness. Drizzle from side to side, or diagonally, so that it makes a pretty pattern.
• Eat while it's still warm.

GRILLED EGGPLANT WITH LEBNEH

Steps:

• If using whole-milk plain yogurt, drain in a paper-towel-lined sieve set over a bowl, covered and chilled, 8 to 12 hours.
• Mince garlic and mash to a paste with a pinch of salt, then transfer to a bowl. Whisk in lebneh or drained yogurt, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and enough water to make mixture resemble well-stirred sour cream.
• Prepare grill for cooking. If using a charcoal grill, open vents on bottom of grill, then light charcoal. Charcoal fire is medium-hot when you can hold your hand 5 inches above rack for 3 to 4 seconds. If using a gas grill, preheat burners on moderately high, covered, 10 minutes, then reduce heat to moderate.
• Brush eggplant slices generously with oil on both sides and sprinkle with remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt. Grill slices on lightly oiled grill rack, covered only if using a gas grill, turning over occasionally, until eggplant is tender, 12 to 15 minutes total. Transfer as cooked to a platter, arranging slices in 1 layer. Put a spoonful of yogurt mixture on each eggplant slice and top with a mint leaf.

LEBANESE EGGPLANT STEW

Steps:

• Combine the eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, bell pepper, onion, and garlic in the slow cooker insert.
• Using an electric coffee mill or a mortar and pestle, grind the peppercorns, allspice berries, cinnamon, and red pepper flakes to a powder.
• Add the spices to the vegetables, cover, and cook on low for 3 to 4 hours, or until the vegetables are tender.
• Stir in the olive oil and parsley, and add salt to taste just before serving.
• Suggested Beverage
• I think I'd choose a Merlot or Cabernet to accompany this dish.

GRILLED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Peel the eggplant, and then cut into 3/4-inch slices.
• Combine butter, garlic salt, and Italian seasonings; stir well.
• Brush eggplant slices with butter mixture, and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Place eggplant on grill; grill over medium heat 10 minutes or until tender, turning and basting occasionally.