Griddled Eggplants And Peppers With Feta Mint And Chilli Food

GRILLED EGGPLANT WITH FETA, MINT AND CHILI

Steps:

• Preheat a grill on high.
• Slice eggplant into thin slices lengthwise. There will be about 10 from each eggplant.
• Finely chop red chili - include seeds if you want it extra spicy.
• Finely chop mint - save a few bits for sprinkling over the top of finished dish.
• Juice lemon.
• Crumble feta into a bowl. Add red chili, mint and lemon juice and stir to combine. Add some freshly ground black pepper.
• Brush both sides of each eggplant slice with oil. Grill for about 2 minutes on each side or until tender.
• Lay a slice of eggplant out onto a cutting board.
• Place a heaping teaspoon of the feta mixture onto one end of the slice. Roll up the eggplant with the feta inside.
• Place seam side down on a serving plate. Repeat with remaining eggplant slices.
• Sprinkle with the reserved mint.
• Serve.

GRILLED EGGPLANT WITH MINT

Steps:

• Grill 4 small Japanese eggplants over medium-high heat, turning, until very soft, 15 minutes. Cook 3 sliced garlic cloves in 3 tablespoons olive oil in a small skillet over medium heat, 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the heat; add a pinch of red pepper flakes. Trim the ends off the eggplant and split open. Scrape the flesh with a fork and season with salt. Top with the garlic oil and sliced mint.

GRILLED EGGPLANT WITH MARINATED FETA

Steps:

• Slice 2 eggplants 1/2 inch thick; lay on paper towels, sprinkle with salt and let sit 10 minutes, then pat dry. Heat 1/4 cup olive oil with 1 grated garlic clove in a saucepan, 1 minute. Stir in 1 tablespoon each chopped oregano and parsley, 1 teaspoon chopped rosemary and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes. Let cool; pour over 4 ounces crumbled feta. Brush the eggplant with olive oil; grill over medium-high heat, 5 minutes per side. Top with the feta.

EGGPLANT SALAD WITH PEPPERS, MINT AND CAPER-FETA VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees. Whisk together the oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
• Toss eggplant with 1/3 cup vinaigrette, reserving the rest. Arrange on a baking sheet. Bake, tossing occasionally, until tender and golden around edges, about 30 minutes. Let eggplant cool somewhat. (It can be warm but not hot enough to melt feta or wilt mint.)
• Whisk feta, garlic and capers into reserved vinaigrette. In a large bowl, combine eggplant, peppers, tomatoes and mint leaves. Toss with vinaigrette, and serve immediately or within several hours. (It holds up all day.)

GRILLED EGGPLANT AND PEPPERS WITH FETA

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill for high heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Place eggplant and all bell peppers into a large bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and toss to coat. Sprinkle with steak seasoning; coat well.
• Place eggplant and bell pepper slices directly on the preheated grill. Cook until eggplant is softened, marked, and slightly charred and peppers are softened and marked, 15 to 20 minutes, turning every 3 to 5 minutes. Reduce heat as necessary to prevent burning.
• Remove from grill. Arrange in 4 piles, starting with a slice of eggplant and alternating eggplant and pepper slices, including one slice of each bell pepper color in each pile. Top with feta cheese. Sprinkle with basil and oregano. Serve warm.

GRILLED EGGPLANT, PEPPERS AND ONIONS

Steps:

• Prepare a bed of hot coals in a charcoal grill, or heat a stovetop grill to medium-high. Arrange eggplants, onions and peppers on a baking sheet. Paint vegetables lightly on both sides with olive oil.
• Working in batches, grill all vegetables on both sides until softened and lightly charred, about 5 to 6 minutes per side. When all vegetables are cooked, chop them into rough chunks and place in a mixing bowl. Drizzle with 3 tablespoons olive oil and the vinegar. Season well with salt and pepper and toss to coat. Add capers and toss again.
• Transfer mixture to a serving dish and sprinkle with oregano and crushed red pepper. Serve at room temperature.

EGGPLANT AND PEPPERS WITH FETA

Steps:

• Place eggplant on a wire rack and sprinkle with salt on both sides. Set aside until eggplant begins to "sweat", about 15 to 20 minutes. Blot eggplant with clean paper towels.
• Preheat grill to medium-high. Arrange eggplant and bell pepper slices on a large baking sheet, and brush both sides of all pieces with olive oil. Season with kosher salt and black pepper.
• Transfer eggplant and peppers to the grill or place in a grill basket. You may need to cook them in batches. Cook, turning occasionally to promote even browning, until softened and nicely marked, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Transfer eggplant to a platter and top with the pepper strips. Garnish with feta and marjoram (or spice of your choice). Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and lemon juice. Serve warm or at room temperature. You can use this as a side dish, or in a pita as a sandwich.