Roasted Eggplant With Halloumi Yogurt And Fresh Herbs Recipes

EGGPLANT WITH HERBS AND YOGURT

Steps:

• Heat broiler with rack 6 inches from heating element. In a large heavy-bottomed saucepan, heat 2 inches safflower oil to 360 degrees. Working in batches, add eggplant and cook, turning once, until golden brown and very tender, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer eggplant to a paper towel-lined baking sheet and let drain.
• In the bowl of a food processor, combine parsley, cilantro, turmeric, garlic, chile, and olive oil. Season with salt, then blend until finely chopped. Place eggplants cut-side up on a rimmed baking sheet; season with salt. Brush with herb mixture and broil until deep golden brown, about 2 minutes.
• In a small bowl, combine yogurt and lime zest and season with salt.
• Serve eggplants garnished with yogurt mixture, sliced chile, lime wedges, sesame seeds, and pomegranate seeds.

ROASTED EGGPLANT WITH GARLIC AND HERBS

Steps:

• Put the eggplant pieces in a large colander and sprinkle all over with the 2 tablespoons kosher salt. Set in the sink to drain for about 30 minutes.
• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
• Put a baking sheet in the oven to heat for 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, peel and finely chop the shallot and garlic, and push to the side of the cutting board. Chop the parsley, then draw the shallots and garlic in with the herbs and chop them together, until finely chopped. Stir the aromatics and walnut oil together in a serving bowl.
• Toss the purged eggplant with the olive oil and pepper. Carefully remove the hot baking sheet from the oven and brush or drizzle with olive oil. Spread the eggplant out on the pan and return to the oven. Roast until the eggplant is tender yet firm and rich brown, about 30 minutes. Remove from the oven, toss with garlic and herbs. Serve right away or at room temperature.

ROASTED-EGGPLANT DIP WITH GREEK YOGURT

Steps:

• Using tongs, cook eggplants one at a time over the flame of a gas burner (or a grill), turning as skin chars and bubbles, until completely soft, about 15 minutes. (If eggplant doesn't soften, finish cooking on a baking sheet in a 375-degree oven.) Let stand until cool enough to handle, about 15 minutes. Peel off charred skin and discard. Coarsely chop the eggplants, and place in a colander to drain, about 1 hour. Finely chop, and transfer to a bowl.
• Using a chef's knife, press flat side of blade back and forth across garlic and 1 1/2 teaspoons salt to make a paste. Mix into eggplant. Stir in oil. Mix in yogurt and lemon juice, and season with salt and pepper. (Dip can be refrigerated, for up to 1 day.) Drizzle with oil before serving.

GRILLED FATTOUSH WITH HALLOUMI AND EGGPLANT

Steps:

• For the dressing:
• Prepare a grill for medium heat; oil grate. Grill scallions and jalapeño, turning once, until lightly blistered and crisp-tender, about 2 minutes for scallions and 4 minutes for jalapeño. Transfer to a cutting board and let cool slightly.
• Slice open jalapeño and scrape out seeds (unless you like things very spicy); discard. Coarsely chop chile and scallions. Mix in a medium bowl with olives, pistachios, lemon juice, vinegar, and 5 Tbsp. oil; season dressing with salt and pepper.
• Dressing can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill. Bring to room temperature before serving.
• Assemble the salad:
• Mix thyme, sesame seeds, and garlic powder in a small bowl. Lightly coat pitas and eggplants with 2 Tbsp. oil; season with salt and rub with thyme mixture. Grill, turning occasionally and moving to a cooler part of grill if needed to avoid scorching, until pitas are golden and crisp and eggplants are browned and tender, 5 minutes for pitas, and 8-10 minutes for eggplants. Transfer to a platter and let cool slightly.
• Meanwhile, grill Halloumi until charred and soft, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to platter with pitas and eggplants.
• Tear pitas and Halloumi into chunky pieces, then cut eggplants into bite-size pieces. Transfer to a large bowl and add cucumbers, tomatoes, and dressing. Give everything a good toss to bring it all together; season with salt. Top with mint leaves and dill sprigs.