Grilled Eggplant Pepper Appetizer Dip Food

EGGPLANT DIP

Steps:

• Grill 2 eggplants over medium-high heat, turning, until soft, 30 minutes. Cool, then scoop out and puree the flesh in a food processor with 1/2 teaspoon chopped garlic, 5 tablespoons olive oil, 1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice, and salt. Top with olive oil and parsley and serve with flatbread and vegetables.
• Per serving (does not include flatbread and vegetables for serving): Calories 247; Total Fat 21 grams; Saturated Fat 3 grams; Protein 3 grams; Total Carbohydrate 16 grams; Sugar: 7 grams; Fiber 9 grams; Cholesterol 0 milligrams; Sodium 152 milligrams

ROASTED EGGPLANT SPREAD

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Cut the eggplant, bell pepper, and onion into 1-inch cubes. Toss them in a large bowl with the garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread them on a baking sheet. Roast for 45 minutes, until the vegetables are lightly browned and soft, tossing once during cooking.
• Cool slightly.
• Place the vegetables in a food processor fitted with a steel blade, add the tomato paste, and pulse 3 or 4 times to blend. Taste for salt and pepper.

GRILLED EGGPLANT DIP

Steps:

• Heat a grill to medium. Brush the bell pepper with some of the canola oil and season with salt and pepper. Brush the eggplant slices on both sides with more of the canola oil, season with salt and pepper.
• Grill the eggplant until charred on the first side, about 3 minutes. Turn and continue grilling until tender, another 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer the eggplant to a cutting board. Grill the bell pepper, turning occasionally, until charred all over and tender, about 15 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap, and let steam while you make the eggplant puree.
• Smash the garlic cloves, sprinkle them with salt, and mash and smear them to a paste using the side of a knife. Remove the skin from the eggplant and transfer the flesh to a food processor. Add the garlic paste, tahini, yogurt, 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, and the lemon zest, oregano and smoked paprika. Process until smooth and thick. Add salt to taste. Transfer to a serving bowl and let sit for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. Peel, seed and dice the bell pepper.
• Drizzle the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil over the dip. Top with the diced peppers and the chopped parsley. Serve with warm pita or lavash.

GRILLED EGGPLANT DIP (MUTABAL)

Steps:

• Preheat a charcoal grill for medium heat and lightly oil the grate. Prick the skin of the eggplants several times with a knife.
• Cook directly on the preheated grill, turning frequently, until eggplants have collapsed and are very soft and the skin has charred, 25 to 30 minutes. Transfer to a bowl, cover with aluminum foil, and allow to cool, about 15 minutes.
• When eggplants are cool enough to handle, cut them in half and scrape out the flesh. Put the flesh into a colander and place over a bowl to drain, 5 to 10 minutes.
• Transfer to a mixing bowl, add crushed garlic and salt, and mash until creamy, about 5 minutes. Whisk in lemon juice, tahini, 3 tablespoons olive oil, and black pepper. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 2 hours.
• Taste, adjust seasonings, and stir in parsley and mint. Transfer to a small dish. Use the back of a spoon to swirl indentations on the surface, drizzle with remaining olive oil, and garnish with pomegranate seeds.

GRILLED EGGPLANT PEPPER APPETIZER DIP

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Grill eggplant, red bell pepper, poblano pepper, and jalapeno pepper until tender, 20 to 30 minutes. Remove seeds from red bell pepper and poblano pepper. Chop eggplant and peppers.
• Pulse eggplant-peppers mixture, green onions, garlic, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, olive oil, salt, and pepper in a food processor until finely chopped and spreadable.