Roasted Eggplant Dip W Chickpeas Food

CRISPY EGGPLANT AND CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• Slice the eggplant into 1/4-inch rounds. Slice the rounds into quarters, so that you have wedge-shaped eggplant pieces. Lay the slices on a sheet pan covered in paper towels. Sprinkle the eggplant with salt and let sit while you are preparing the chickpeas.
• Heat some oil, coming about halfway up the side of a large cast-iron skillet over medium-high heat, until the oil is 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a cooling rack and paper towels.
• Mix the garam masala, cumin, granulated garlic and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of the mixture over the chickpeas and toss until coated. Carefully lower the chickpeas into the oil using a slotted spoon. Fry, stirring frequently, until they are deep brown and crispy, 5 to 6 minutes. Remove the chickpeas to the paper towel-lined baking sheet. Sprinkle with another tablespoon of the spice mixture and some salt.
• Transfer the eggplant slices to a dry paper towel and dab until very dry. Sprinkle the eggplant on both sides with the remaining spice mixture. Add the eggplant to the oil in batches, only adding a few at a time. Fry the eggplant, flipping and turning frequently until they are a deep golden brown and crispy on the edges, 5 to 6 minutes.
• Serve the eggplant chips and crispy chickpeas warm or at room temperature.

ROASTED EGGPLANT WITH SPICED CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450 degrees and lightly oil two baking sheets (or use nonstick). Combine the 1/4 cup olive oil and the peanut oil. Brush eggplant slices on both sides with the mixture, then place on pans. Roast, flipping once, until golden brown on both sides, about 15 minutes total. Set aside.
• In a large skillet, heat the 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, and cook, stirring, until soft and translucent, about 10 minutes. Add tomatoes, spices and molasses, and bring to a simmer. Add sugar, salt and pepper to taste. (The amount of sugar will depend on the tomatoes' sweetness; there should be a hint of sweetness in the mixture.) Simmer until slightly thickened, about 15 minutes. Add chickpeas and cook until thick, 5 to 10 minutes more. Stir in half the pine nuts and set aside.
• To serve, place a slice of eggplant on a platter and spoon tomato-chickpea mixture onto the wide end of the slice. Fold the narrower end of the slice over to cover the filling and place a mint leaf on top. Repeat with remaining slices and garnish with remaining pine nuts. Serve cold or at room temperature, topping each piece with a dollop of yogurt, if using.

CHICKPEA EGGPLANT DIP

Steps:

• Soak the dried chickpeas in cold water for 8 hours, then drain.
• Combine chickpeas, carrot, and onion in a medium saucepan, add 4 cups water, and bring to a boil.
• Reduce the heat and simmer until the chickpeas are tender, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Drain, remove carrot and onion, reserving 1 cup of the cooking liquid.
• Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 300°F.
• Toss the garlic and eggplant with 1.4 cup of olive oil and arrange on a cookie sheet (eggplant with the cut side down) and roast for 40 minutes.
• Add the chilies to the roasting pan, cut side down and roast for another 10 minutes. Set aside until cool enough to handle
• Scoop the flesh from the eggplant and transfer to a blender and then add the roasted garlic and chilies, chickpeas, harissa, cumin, remaining 2 tbsp olive oil, and 2-3 tbsp of the reserved cooking water.
• Puree, adding more of the cooking liquid 2-3 tbsp at a time if necessary until it's smooth and creamy.
• Serve at room temperature with pita!