Grilled Eggplant With Feta And Fresh Mint Food

GRILLED EGGPLANT, SANDWICHES WITH LEMON AïOLI, FETA, AND MINT

Steps:

• Preheat grill.
• Brush eggplant with oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill eggplant in batches on a rack set 5 to 6 inches over glowing coals, turning once, until tender, about 3 minutes, transferring as cooked with tongs to a baking sheet to cool. (Alternatively, eggplant may be broiled for about the same amount of time.)
• In a small bowl whisk together mayonnaise, garlic, and lemon juice to make aïoli.
• Cut bread into four 4-inch-long pieces and halve each piece horizontally. Spread 4 halves with aïoli. Make sandwiches on bread with eggplant, feta, and mint.

EGGPLANT WITH MARINATED FETA

Steps:

• Toss 2 Japanese eggplants (cut into 2-inch pieces) with 1 cup grape tomatoes, 2 tablespoons olive oil and 1/2 teaspoon each kosher salt and pepper. Bake at 500˚ F, turning once, until tender, 12 to 14 minutes, then broil until charred, 3 to 4 minutes. Mix 3 ounces diced feta, 2 tablespoons each olive oil and lemon juice, 1 tablespoon chopped oregano, 1 sliced garlic clove and 1/2 teaspoon each salt and pepper. Serve over the eggplant mixture.

GRILLED EGGPLANT & FETA SALAD

Steps:

• Cut eggplants lengthwise into ¼ inch slices. Heat up a grill pan (or grill). Brush both sides of the eggplant slices with olive oil. Sprinkle with salt, pepper and dried oregano. Grill eggplants for 3-4 minutes on each side or until tender. Using a grill pan - as opposed to a regular pan - gives the eggplants brown grill marks which look really attractive when you present the salad. If you don't have a grill pan, it's only aesthetic so don't worry.
• Arrange the grilled slices on a serving platter. Sprinkle feta, pine nuts, basil and mint over the top. Finally, just before serving, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and vinegar. Season with salt and pepper as needed.

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.

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 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 GARLIC-CUMIN VINAIGRETTE, FETA & HERBS

Steps:

• Make the vinaigrette:.
• With a mortar and pestle, pound the garlic and a pinch of salt to a paste.
• Combine the garlic paste and 1 tbs of the lemon juice in a bowl and let sit for 10 minute.
• Combine the shallot with the remaining 1/2 tablespoon lemon juice and a pinch of salt in another small bowl and let sit for 10 minutes.
• Whisk the olive oil, cumin, and cayenne into the garlic mixture. Season to taste with salt or cayenne, if necessary.
• Grill the eggplant:.
• Prepare a medium-high charcoal or gas grill fire.
• Brush both sides of the eggplant slices with olive oil and season with salt.
• Grill (covered on a gas grill; uncovered on a charcoal grill), 3 to 4 minutes.
• Turn the eggplant and grill until tender and well marked on the second sides, 3 to 4 minutes more.The interior should be grayish and soft rather than white and hard.
• Top grilled eggplant slices with the shallots, feta, and herbs. Whisk the vinaigrette and drizzle it on top. Serve immediately.