Rustic Eggplant Dip Food

RUSTIC EGGPLANT DIP

Steps:

• Cut stems from eggplants; pierce several times with a fork. Place eggplants and red pepper on a foil-lined 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Rub 2 tablespoons oil over vegetables. , Bake at 400° for 30-35 minutes or until tender, turning occasionally. Cool slightly. Peel and coarsely chop eggplants; coarsely chop red pepper., In a food processor, combine the tomatoes, onion, parsley, lemon juice, vinegar, herbs, salt, pepper, eggplants, red pepper and remaining oil. Cover and process until blended. , Cover and refrigerate for at least 3 hours. Serve with pita chips.

EASY EGGPLANT SPREAD

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Arrange eggplant cut side up on a baking sheet. Make slits in eggplant and insert garlic and thyme. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons oil. Season with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Bake until tender, about 1 hour. Remove from oven; let stand until cool, about 20 minutes.
• Scoop flesh into a food processor. Add herbs, 2 tablespoons oil, and lemon juice. Puree until smooth. Pulse with 1 teaspoon salt and pepper to combine. Serve with crackers or crostini.

RUSTIC EGGPLANT DIP (MELANZANOSALATA)

Steps:

• Prepare a medium gas or charcoal grill fire (charcoal will give a smokier flavor). Prick the eggplants once with the tip of a paring knife to prevent them from swelling and exploding and rub all over with 1 Tbs. of the oil. Grill, covered but turning every few minutes, until the eggplants are very soft inside and the skins are charred, 25 to 30 minutes. Let cool.
• Cut the stems off the eggplants and peel away the charred skin; discard the stems and skin. Coarsely chop the flesh and transfer it to a medium bowl. Add the remaining 1 teaspoons oil and the tomato, onion, parsley, lemon juice, vinegar, oregano or marjoram, thyme, mint, 1 teaspoons salt, and 1/8 teaspoons pepper. Mix well. Cover and refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving.
• Season to taste with more salt. Serve cool or at room temperature with fresh pita wedges or toasted pita chips.
• Variations: Can't grill the eggplant? Use the oven. To broil the eggplants, position a rack 6 inches from the broiler and heat the broiler to high. Line a rimmed baking sheet with foil. Prick the eggplants once with a paring knife to prevent them from exploding. Put them on the baking sheet and rub all over with 1 Tbs. olive oil. Broil, turning once, until the skin is charred in spots and the flesh is tender, 25 to 30 minutes. If your oven doesn't have a broiler element, you can roast the eggplants instead. Position a rack in the center of the oven and heat the oven to 450°F Prick and oil the eggplants as directed above. Roast until the skins are wrinkled and the eggplant flesh is very soft, about 1 hour.