Minted Eggplant Food

MINTED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Bring 1 inch water and 2 tablespoons vinegar to a boil in a large pot (or a deep skillet with a lid). Arrange eggplant, skin sides down, in steamer basket and sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt, then steam, covered, until tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Transfer basket to sink and let eggplant drain 5 minutes.
• Transfer eggplant to a deep platter. Whisk together garlic, oregano, pepper, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt, and remaining 2 tablespoons vinegar in a small bowl, then add oil in a slow stream, whisking until combined. Pour dressing over eggplant while still warm and let marinate at room temperature, basting with dressing several times, 2 hours. Sprinkle with mint and parsley just before serving.

MINTED EGGPLANT ROUNDS

Steps:

• Preheat broiler
• Cut eggplants crosswise into 3/4-inch slices and arrange on baking sheets. Brush both sides lightly with oil and broil in batches about 4 inches from heat until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes on each side.
• While eggplant is broiling, stir together lime juice, fish sauce, sugar, garlic, and mint until sugar is dissolved.
• Serve eggplant drizzled with sauce.

MARINATED EGGPLANT WITH MINT

Steps:

• Toss eggplant with 1 teaspoon salt in a colander set over a bowl, then let drain 30 minutes. Rinse eggplant, then drain, pressing gently on eggplant to extract any excess liquid. Pat dry.
• Whisk together vinegar, sugar, and remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt in a small bowl until sugar is dissolved. Stir in garlic and mint.
• Heat oil in a 12-inch nonstick skillet over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then fry eggplant, about 8 slices at a time, until cooked through and pale golden, about 1 minute per side. Transfer eggplant as fried to paper towels to drain, then transfer to a large shallow dish, overlapping slices slightly. Spoon some of vinegar mint mixture over each batch. Marinate eggplant, covered and chilled, at least 8 hours.

AUBERGINE (EGGPLANT) AND CHICKPEA CURRY IN MINTED TOMATO CREAM

Steps:

• Cut the unpeeled eggplant into 3/4"-1" cubes.
• Trim the ends off the unpeeled zucchini and slice.
• Heat the ghee or oil in a large saucepan or heavy skillet and saute the eggplant, zucchini, onion, garlic and chillies for 5 to 10 minutes, stirring frequently, until vegetables have softened. If necessary add more ghee or oil, or add, as I do, a splash of water from time to time to help the process along.
• Stir in the spices and cook for 30 seconds.
• Add the undrained tomatoes, 3/4 cup of stock, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook gently for 10 minutes, adding another 1/4 cup of stock if the mixture is becoming dry.
• Add the chickpeas to the pan and cook a further 5 minutes.
• Stir in the mint and cream and gently reheat.
• Meanwhile heat 2 tablespoons oil in a small skillet. When hot, add the mustard seeds, the urad dhal and curry leaves. Quickly stir-fry for 10 to 20 seconds. Tip contents over the curry, gently mix through.
• Serve with plain or pilau rice, or parathas if preferred.