Charcoal Roasted Eggplant Food

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.

FOIL-PACK COAL-ROASTED VEGETABLES WITH FETA

Steps:

• Prepare a charcoal grill with a hot bed of coals for indirect cooking. The coals are ready when they are ashed over and glowing.
• Mix together 3 tablespoons of the olive oil, the oregano, smoked paprika and garlic in a large bowl. Add the carrots, peppers, corn, eggplant, potatoes and zucchini to the olive oil mixture and toss to combine, making sure each piece is fully coated with the marinade.
• Tear off eight 12-by-18-inch pieces of heavy-duty aluminum foil and arrange them in stacks of 2 on a work surface (you should have 4 stacks). Divide the vegetables among the stacks, about 2 heaping cups per pouch.
• For each stack, bring the 2 long sides of the foil together and fold the edges over each other a few times to seal, leaving room around the vegetables for steam. Fold over the edges of the short sides to seal.
• Carefully spread the coals using a large pair of tongs, then add the foil packets and cover them with coals. Cover the grill with the lid and cook until the vegetables are tender, 25 to 30 minutes. Check for doneness by inserting a wooden skewer into each packet; it should easily slide all the way through the vegetables.
• Remove the foil packets to a heatproof work surface and let cool for 5 minutes before carefully opening. Use a spatula or a large spoon to transfer the contents to a platter. Sprinkle the vegetables with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.
• Whisk together the lemon juice, zaatar, sumac, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 tablespoon water and the remaining 5 tablespoons olive oil in a small bowl. Drizzle the dressing over the vegetables, making sure they are all well coated. Crumble the feta over the vegetables. Taste and add more salt or pepper, if needed.

GRILLED EGGPLANT BURGER

Steps:

• Preheat grill (you could also cook eggplant on stove top).
• Slice eggplant 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick.
• In a small bowl, mix together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, garlic, salt, and pepper.
• Brush sides of eggplant slices with the mixture.
• Grill eggplant slices for about 10-14 minutes.
• Lay Eggplant on hamburger roll, top with a spoonful of tomato or pesto sauce, and sprinkle on Parmesan cheese.

BABA GHANOUJ

Steps:

• Prepare a hot gas or charcoal grill. Pierce the eggplants in several places with a fork or the tip of a knife, and place over the hot coals. Grill, turning regularly, until soft and blackened all over. If you don't have a grill but do have a gas stove, preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Cover the top of your stove under the burner grates with foil to facilitate cleaning. Turn on your oven fan (so the smoke alarm won't go off), and roast the eggplants directly over the flame, turning often until charred and softened. Small, thin eggplants will cook through this way, but larger eggplants must be finished in the oven. Wrap in foil, and place in the hot oven for 20 minutes until thoroughly softened. You can also roast the eggplant under a broiler until charred and softened. The flavor of the baba ganoush will not be as smoky.
• Place the grilled eggplant in a colander in the sink, and allow to cool and drain. Peel and discard the black skins, cut off the stems, and let the eggplants sit in the colander to drain for another 15 to 30 minutes.
• Puree the eggplant in a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Add the lemon juice, yogurt and tahini. In a mortar and pestle, pound the garlic to a paste with a generous pinch of salt. Add to the food processor, and blend with the eggplant. Add salt to taste.
• Mound the puree in a bowl or on a platter, and drizzle with olive oil. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve with pita bread.

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.

CHARCOAL-ROASTED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Salt the open face of each eggplant half, set them on end and allow to drain at least a half-hour. Meanwhile, make a fire in a grill. Chiffonade the lemon balm leaves by stacking them, rolling them up and slicing the roll crosswise as thinly as possible. Separate.
• Rub the salt off the eggplants and cut slits lengthwise 1/2-inch apart on the opened halves. Do not cut through. Repeat crosswise to create a grid of 1/2-inch squares.
• Press about 2 tablespoons of the lemon balm into the slits of each eggplant half and drizzle 1 or 2 tablespoons of olive oil on top. Roast until the cubes are juicy and yield under light pressure, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, julienne the remaining cup of lemon balm and place in a bowl big enough to contain all the eggplants. When the eggplants are done, scoop the cubed flesh from their skins. Separate the cubes, if desired. Add the anchovies, capers, salt and pepper. Toss, chill and serve.