Italian Eggplant Aubergine Salad Recipes

ROASTED EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) AND PEPPER SALAD

Steps:

• Position rack in top third of the oven and preheat to 450 degrees.
• Spray large heavy baking sheet with cooking spray.
• Combine the eggplant, peppers, garlic and olive oil in a large bowl. Toss well.
• Transfer to the prepared sheet. Bake until eggplant is brown and the peppers are tender, stirring every 10 minutes.
• Scape vegetables and pan juices into a bowl, saving the garlic for the dressing.
• Combine the vinegar, cumin, salt, pepper and cayenne in a food processor.
• Peel the roasted garlic, add to the food processor. Puree until smooth.
• Toss the vegetables with 1/4 cup of the dressing.
• Cool, and let sit for a while to let the flavors develop.
• To serve: Bring to room temperature. Mound salad in center of large platter.
• Serve with the pita wedges.

ITALIAN EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Puncture eggplants with a fork and place on a baking sheet.
• Bake 1 1/2 hrs or until soft - turn occasionally.
• Cool. Peel and dice.
• In a large bowl combine remaining ingredients.
• Add eggplant and marinate at least 2 hours.
• Note: I used fresh parsley, basil and oregano.

ITALIAN EGGPLANT SALAD

Steps:

• Slice 1 large eggplant lengthwise into thirds; soak in water 15 minutes. Drain and toss with olive oil and salt. Grill over medium-high heat until tender, about 8 minutes per side. Chop and toss with 1 large chopped tomato, 1 minced garlic clove, 2 tablespoons chopped basil and 1 teaspoon each chopped oregano and red wine vinegar; season with salt and pepper. Top with shaved parmesan.

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 CAPONATA (SICILIAN VERSION)

Steps:

• Toss eggplant with salt and place in a colander set over a bowl. Let sit, about 30 minutes. Rinse and pat dry.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add celery; cook, stirring often, until softened, about 4 minutes. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir until onion is soft and lightly golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer mixture to a bowl using a slotted spoon.
• Heat remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in the skillet. Add eggplant and cook, stirring constantly, until lightly browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in celery mixture, tomatoes, olives, capers, tomato paste, and oregano. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered until caponata is thickened, about 15 minutes.
• Season caponata with vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with parsley.

MEDITERRANEAN EGGPLANT AND BARLEY SALAD

Steps:

• Roast eggplant and zucchini:
• Put oven racks in upper and lower thirds of oven and preheat oven to 425°F.
• Toss eggplant and zucchini with 5 tablespoons oil, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 3/4 teaspoon pepper in a bowl, then spread in 2 oiled large shallow (1-inch-deep) baking pans. Roast vegetables in oven, stirring occasionally and switching position of pans halfway through baking, until vegetables are golden brown and tender, 20 to 25 minutes total. Combine vegetables in 1 pan and cool, reserving other pan for cooling barley.
• Cook barley:
• Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a 3- to 4-quart heavy pot over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then cook scallion, cumin, coriander, and cayenne, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add barley and cook, stirring until well coated with oil, 2 minutes more. Add broth and water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, covered, until all of liquid is absorbed and barley is tender, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand, covered, 5 minutes. Transfer to reserved shallow baking pan and spread to quickly cool, uncovered, to room temperature, about 20 minutes.
• Make dressing and assemble salad:
• Whisk together lemon juice, garlic, sugar, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and 3 tablespoons oil in a large bowl. Add barley, roasted vegetables, and remaining ingredients to bowl with dressing and toss until combined well. Serve with cheese slices.