Crispy Eggplant With Herbed Yogurt Sauce Food

GRILLED EGGPLANT WITH YOGHURT SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine the Yoghurt Sauce ingredients in a bowl and mix well. Set aside for the flavours to develop. The longer you leave it, the better it will taste.
• Use a potato peeler to peel "strips" off the eggplant vertically as per the photo below. If your potato peeler is not sharp enough or if the eggplant is on the soft side, you might need to do this with a small sharp knife.
• Cut the eggplant into 1.5cm / 2/3" thick rounds.
• Brush one side of each eggplant with olive oil. The more you use, the yummier it will be!
• Sprinkle the oiled side of the eggplant with salt and pepper.
• Heat a griddle pan (or BBQ) on medium high heat. (Note 5)
• Place the oiled side of each eggplant onto the pan and grill for 2 to 3 minutes until it gets deep char lines on it. While the first side is cooking, brush the other side of each eggplant with the remaining olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Turn the eggplant and cook the other side until the eggplant is cooked through but still holding it's shape. The easy way to tell is to prod the centre - if you feel resistance, it needs to cook more.
• Remove the eggplant onto a serving plate and let it cool for a few minutes. Then spoon a dollop of the yoghurt sauce on each, and scatter with coriander/cilantro, mint, pomegranate seeds and chili. Drizzle with extra olive oil and serve with cheeks or wedges of lemon, if desired.

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 AND CRISPY KALE WITH YOGURT

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450°F. Toss eggplants with vegetable oil on a rimmed baking sheet; season with salt. Roast, tossing halfway through, until eggplants are charred in spots and tender, 20-25 minutes. Remove from oven, sprinkle with mango powder (if using) and cumin, and toss to coat.
• Meanwhile, heat a dry large skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium-high. Add kale, arranging to fit in a single even layer (work in batches if needed), and cook, turning occasionally, until charred in spots and crisp, about 4 minutes.
• Grate cucumber on the medium holes of a box grater; squeeze out excess liquid with your hands and transfer to a medium bowl. Mix in yogurt, lemon juice, and garlic; season with salt.
• Toss tomatoes with a good pinch of salt and a drizzle of olive oil in a medium bowl. Spoon yogurt mixture onto a platter and layer eggplants, kale, and tomatoes on top. Drizzle with more olive oil.

FRIED EGGPLANT WITH YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large skillet, season both sides of eggplant slices with salt and pepper. Sprinkle cumin over all of the slices (on one side).
• Fry eggplant slices in batches, they are done when they turn a light golden brown. Place cooked eggplant on a paper-towel-covered plate to drain off some of the oil. Allow to cool to room temperature, transfer to serving platter. Spoon yogurt sauce over the top just before serving. Garnish with chopped cilantro if desired.
• Yogurt Sauce: using a fork, beat the yogurt in a bowl with salt and pepper (to taste) until smooth.