Warm Eggplant Salad With Sesame And Shallots Recipes

WARM EGGPLANT SALAD

Steps:

• Trim eggplants and cut in half if very long. Cut lengthwise into 1/4-inch slices. Sprinkle a little Italian seasoning and salt on both sides of each slice.
• Preheat a griddle or heavy pan over high heat. Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil over eggplant slices and cook until slightly charred, about 30 seconds per side.
• Core bell pepper and cut into thin slices. Season with salt. Use the same griddle or pan to cook until slightly charred, about 30 seconds per side.
• Prepare dressing by mixing remaining olive oil, sugar, balsamic vinegar, and garlic in a small bowl. Stir in remaining Italian seasoning.
• Layer 1/2 of the eggplant slices on a plate. Dot with cream cheese. Cover with bell peppers and remaining cream cheese. Top with remaining eggplant. Drizzle dressing over the salad. Garnish with cilantro. Serve warm, mixing right before serving.

WARM EGGPLANT SALAD

Steps:

• Sprinkle eggplant slices with salt on both sides. Place in a colander over a bowl, and let stand 1 hour to drain. Discard liquid, and rinse under cold running water. Place eggplant slices on several layers of paper towels; press out water.
• Transfer eggplant to a nonreactive surface. Generously brush both sides with oil; sprinkle with pepper. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add slices of eggplant (without crowding); cook until golden brown on both sides, about 6 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Repeat process with remaining slices.
• Place the eggplant, onion, feta, olives, and oregano in a large bowl. Drizzle with the remaining olive oil, and season with salt and pepper, if necessary. Gently toss mixture to combine, and serve warm or at room temperature.

COLD EGGPLANT SALAD WITH SESAME DRESSING

Steps:

• Trim eggplant, and cut into cubes of 1/2 to 1 inch. If using large eggplant, sprinkle with salt, put in a colander, and let sit at least 30 minutes, preferably an hour. Rinse.
• Boil large pot of water. Blanch eggplant in boiling water 2 minutes, no more. It will become just tender. Drain in colander as you would pasta.
• Toast sesame seeds in small dry skillet over medium heat, shaking frequently until they color slightly. Dry eggplant with paper towels. Combine remaining ingredients, and toss with eggplant and sesame seeds in bowl. Serve at room temperature, or refrigerate until ready to serve. Covered well, the salad will remain flavorful for a day.

WARM EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) SALAD

Steps:

• Remove eggplant stems.
• Cut eggplants lengthwise into 1/2" thick slices.
• Cut each slice into 1/4" wide strips.
• Transfer to a shallow microwave-safe baking dish;.
• Add 1 tbls water. Cover with plastic wrap vented at one corner.
• Cook in microwave on high (100% power) stirring once or twice until tender, about 3 minutes.
• Let stand covered a few minutes.
• Transfer to a colander; press out the excess water with a flat spatula.
• For the dressing, mix tahini, soy sauce, rice vinegar and mirin in a large bowl until smooth; add the warm eggplant.
• Toss gently to coat well.
• Arrange lettuce leaves on individual serving plates; top each with a portion of eggplant mixture.
• Sprinkle with onions and herbs.
• Note: Japanese eggplants, tahini, seasoned rice vinegar and mirin are available fresh in Japanese markets.

SPICY EGGPLANT SALAD WITH SESAME OIL

Steps:

• Cook the eggplants in a covered steamer over rapidly boiling water until tender, about 10 minutes. Let cool, then peel. Put the flesh in a fine meshed strainer to drain excess liquid.
• Make the dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce, vinegar, lime juice, salt and sugar. Add garlic, ginger, sesame oil, vegetable oil and hot pepper oil, if using.
• Put drained eggplants in a bowl. Using 2 forks, shred the eggplants a bit, then pour dressing over and toss, coating well. Leave to rest for 10 minutes, then taste and adjust seasoning.
• Just before serving, stir in chopped cilantro. Pile eggplants on a platter and sprinkle with scallions. Garnish with serrano chile, if using, and cilantro sprigs.