Curried Grilled Eggplant Food

EGGPLANT CURRY - SOUTH INDIAN BRINJAL CURRY

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 240°C / 450°F (220°C fan). Line tray with parchment/baking paper.
• Cut eggplant into 2cm / 4/5" slices, then cut into 2cm / 4/5" batons.
• Place in large bowl, toss with oil, salt and pepper.
• Spread on tray, roast 20 minutes. Turn, roast for a further 10 minutes - edges should be caramelised, soft inside, but they're not shrivelled up and dismal. Use per recipe.
• Heat oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add mustard seeds, let them sizzle for 15 seconds.
• Add curry leaves, stir, leave to sizzle for 15 seconds - seeds might pop, Indian cooking is very dramatic!
• Add onions, cook 5 minutes until golden brown.
• Add tomato, cook for 1 minute, stirring.
• Add garlic and ginger, cook 2 minutes.
• Add Curry Spices and salt, and cook for another 3 minutes - it will be a thick paste and might stick to the bottom of the pot, don't let it burn (if it starts to, remove from stove and quickly add splash of water to loosen).
• Stir in water, and then add the eggplant.
• Gently stir, partially cover, reduce heat to low and simmer 30 minutes. Stir carefully once or twice (so the eggplants don't break up completely), add more water if it dries out.
• Stir in coconut milk, taste then add more salt if needed.
• Your result should be a very thick, juicy, strongly flavoured curry with eggplant partially intact but half collapsed.
• Serve with basmati rice and a dollop of yogurt and fresh coriander leaves, if you want.

GRILLED EGGPLANT WITH MINT VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Lay the eggplant slices in a single layer on 2 baking sheets and sprinkle both sides with salt. Set aside about 30 minutes, or until moisture beads on top of the eggplant.
• Prepare a grill for medium-high heat. Rinse the eggplant to remove the excess salt and pat dry. Brush the eggplant slices with 3 tablespoons of the olive oil, coating both sides. Season with salt and pepper. Working in batches, grill the eggplant about 5 minutes per side, or until char marks form and the eggplant is very tender. Transfer to a platter as you finish each batch.
• Meanwhile, grate the zest of the lemon into a small bowl. Halve the lemon and squeeze 2 tablespoons of juice into the bowl. Whisk in the vinegar, shallots, chopped mint and the remaining 5 tablespoons oil. Season the vinaigrette to taste with salt and pepper.
• Spoon the vinaigrette over the grilled eggplant and sprinkle with the mint leaves. Using a vegetable peeler, shave thin slices of feta cheese over the eggplant. Sprinkle with pepper and serve.

GRILLED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Rinse and dry the eggplants. Trim off end pieces. Slice them, lengthwise into 1/2 inch thick slices. Brush each slice with oil and salt; grill until both sides are colored and tender. Remove and season with salt and pepper.
• For a second time around idea - grill extra, chop up and toss with some seeded chopped plum tomatoes and torn basil leaves to taste. Dress with a mustard vinaigrette.

RED CURRY-MARINATED JAPANESE EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Purée chiles, garlic, lemongrass, oil, ginger, cumin, sugar, and 1 tsp. salt in a blender or food processor until smooth. Score cut sides of eggplant in a cross-hatch pattern with the tip of a sharp knife. Coat each eggplant liberally with curry paste; set aside any remaining paste. Let eggplants sit at least 10 minutes and up to 1 hour.
• Prepare a grill for medium-high heat. Lightly season eggplants with salt and grill, turning occasionally, until browned and tender, about 5 minutes per side. Serve with reserved curry paste.
• Marinade can be made 3 days ahead. Cover and chill.