Ginger Almond Eggplant Dip Food

SMOKY EGGPLANT DIP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Pierce each eggplant with the tip of a knife in about 10 spots. Place on a rimmed baking sheet and roast until very soft and cracking in a few spots, about 50 minutes. Let cool slightly.
• Cut each eggplant open lengthwise and scrape out the flesh with a large spoon; discard the skin. Place the flesh in the bowl of a food processor and pulse to coarsely chop. Add the parsley, mint, oregano, lemon juice, chiles, salt and olive oil. Puree for 20 seconds to combine. Allow to cool slightly before serving with crackers.

GINGER ALMOND EGGPLANT DIP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Cut the eggplant in half lengthwise, oil the cut sides and place on a baking sheet. Bake until very soft, 45 minutes to an hour. When cool enough to handle, scoop the pulp out with a large spoon and reserve.
• Place a skillet over medium heat and add the oil. When it's hot, add the ginger, coriander, cumin, fennel, cardamom, paprika, salt and pepper and cook for 1 minute. Add the almonds and stir well, letting them toast a bit in the hot oil. Scrape into a bowl, add the eggplant pulp, cilantro and mayonnaise and mix gently. Serve with cut vegetables, bread sticks or flat bread.

GINGER ALMONDS

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 250 degrees F.
• Combine the ginger and salt in a large mixing bowl and set aside.
• Heat the olive oil and sesame oil in a 12-inch saute pan over medium-low heat. Add the arbol chile and cook, stirring frequently, until the chile begins to give off an aroma, 30 to 45 seconds. Add the almonds and cook, stirring frequently until lightly toasted, approximately 5 minutes. Add the soy sauce and Worcestershire sauce and cook until reduced slightly and the pan looks dry, approximately 1 minute. Immediately remove the nuts to the large bowl and toss with the ginger mixture.
• Spread the coated nuts into a single layer on a half sheet pan lined with parchment paper and bake in the oven for 20 minutes. Remove the pan to a cooling rack for at least 30 minutes or until completely cool. Store in an airtight container for up to 1 week.

GINGER GARLIC DIP

Steps:

• Mix all ingredients well. Chill and serve with vegetables.

EGGPLANT WITH ALMONDS

Steps:

• Place the eggplant in a colander and sprinkle with salt. Set the colander in the sink to drain off liquid, about 20 minutes. Pat the cubes with paper towel to remove excess salt.
• Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook the onion in the oil until translucent. Add the garlic; cook and stir another 2 minutes. Stir in the eggplant and almonds, cooking and stirring until the eggplant is tender, but not mushy, about 20 minutes.
• When the eggplant is cooked through, mix in the tomatoes, mint, white wine, sugar, salt, and chili powder. Cook mixture for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally; remove from heat and garnish with parsley.