Grilled Whole Eggplant With Harissa Vinaigrette Recipes

GRILLED WHOLE EGGPLANT WITH HARISSA VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Prepare a charcoal fire in a grill. Let coals cool to medium heat (coals should be covered with ash and glowing red with no black remaining).
• Grill eggplant directly on coals, turning occasionally, until skin is blackened and flesh has collapsed, 15-20 minutes. (Alternatively, grill on the grate of a gas or charcoal grill over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, 20-25 minutes.) Transfer to a wire rack set inside a rimmed baking sheet and let cool slightly.
• Carefully remove skin from eggplant, leaving stem intact. Season on all sides with 1/2 tsp. salt. Let sit on rack until excess water is drained, 20-30 minutes.
• Whisk oil, lemon juice, harissa, honey, and remaining 1/2 tsp. salt in a small bowl to combine.
• Using a paring knife, make several slits down length of eggplant on each side. Transfer to a plate and pour dressing over. Top with parsley and serve with bread alongside.
• Do Ahead: Eggplant (without parsley) can be dressed 8 hours ahead. Let sit at room temperature up to 4 hours. Chill, if waiting longer, and let sit at room temperature 1 hour before serving.

GRILLED EGGPLANT WITH MINT VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Lay the eggplant slices in a single layer on 2 baking sheets and sprinkle both sides with salt. Set aside about 30 minutes, or until moisture beads on top of the eggplant.
• Prepare a grill for medium-high heat. Rinse the eggplant to remove the excess salt and pat dry. Brush the eggplant slices with 3 tablespoons of the olive oil, coating both sides. Season with salt and pepper. Working in batches, grill the eggplant about 5 minutes per side, or until char marks form and the eggplant is very tender. Transfer to a platter as you finish each batch.
• Meanwhile, grate the zest of the lemon into a small bowl. Halve the lemon and squeeze 2 tablespoons of juice into the bowl. Whisk in the vinegar, shallots, chopped mint and the remaining 5 tablespoons oil. Season the vinaigrette to taste with salt and pepper.
• Spoon the vinaigrette over the grilled eggplant and sprinkle with the mint leaves. Using a vegetable peeler, shave thin slices of feta cheese over the eggplant. Sprinkle with pepper and serve.

GRILLED EGGPLANT WITH GARLIC-CUMIN VINAIGRETTE, FETA & HERBS

Steps:

• Make the vinaigrette:.
• With a mortar and pestle, pound the garlic and a pinch of salt to a paste.
• Combine the garlic paste and 1 tbs of the lemon juice in a bowl and let sit for 10 minute.
• Combine the shallot with the remaining 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice and a pinch of salt in another small bowl and let sit for 10 minutes.
• Whisk the olive oil, cumin, and cayenne into the garlic mixture. Season to taste with salt or cayenne, if necessary.
• Grill the eggplant:.
• Prepare a medium-high charcoal or gas grill fire.
• Brush both sides of the eggplant slices with olive oil and season with salt.
• Grill (covered on a gas grill; uncovered on a charcoal grill), 3 to 4 minutes.
• Turn the eggplant and grill until tender and well marked on the second sides, 3 to 4 minutes more.The interior should be grayish and soft rather than white and hard.
• Top grilled eggplant slices with the shallots, feta, and herbs. Whisk the vinaigrette and drizzle it on top. Serve immediately.