Serbian Chicken Eggplant Soup Food

TOMATO AND EGGPLANT SOUP

Steps:

• Heat 1/2 cup olive oil in a medium (10 to 11-inch) pot or Dutch oven, such as Le Creuset, over medium heat. Add the eggplant and saute for 5 minutes, stirring frequently, until tender. Add a little more olive oil if the eggplant is sticking.
• Add 2 tablespoons olive oil to the pot, add the onions and fennel, and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onion is tender but not browned. Add the garlic and cook for one minute, stirring often. Add the chicken stock, crushed tomatoes, fennel seeds, oregano, thyme, red pepper flakes, 1 tablespoon salt, and 2 teaspoons black pepper. Pour the can of whole tomatoes, including the liquid, into a food processor and pulse until the tomatoes are coarsely chopped. Add the tomatoes and the liquid to the pot. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer uncovered for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally. Taste for seasonings. Serve hot in large bowls sprinkled with Parmesan cheese and a drizzle of olive oil.

CHICKEN SOUP WITH SPINACH, EGGPLANT & TOMATO

Steps:

• Place eggplant in a large colander and sprinkle lightly with salt. Let stand for 30 minutes (sweating the eggplant). Rinse thoroughly to remove salt and drain well.
• In a large non-stick pot, heat 2 Tbsp olive oil and garlic over medium heat, being careful not to burn the garlic (approx. 2 minutes).
• Add eggplant to pot and saute for 12 minutes.
• Add onion; saute until translucent.
• Add diced tomatoes (including liquid), dried thyme, and salt & pepper. Bring to boil. Then, simmer for 30 minutes stirring often and gently to break up tomatoes.
• Meanwhile, place thawed spinach into colander and use your hands to squeeze out any excess water; set aside.
• Add chicken broth, chicken, and spinach. Simmer 30 minutes.
• Serve with crusty French bread.
• NOTES: Eggplant is a thirsty vegetable and will soak up olive oil when sauteing. Do not be afraid to add extra oil as needed. If using store-bought chicken broth, then reduce to 4 cups and add 2 cups water.

ROASTED EGGPLANT AND CHICKPEA SOUP

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large bowl, toss together eggplant, onion, garlic, and 4 teaspoons olive oil; season with salt and pepper. Arrange in a single layer in a roasting pan or rimmed baking sheet, leaving a wide strip of empty space at one end. In bowl, toss chickpeas with remaining 2 teaspoons olive oil. Transfer to empty space on sheet. Roast until eggplant is golden and cooked through and chickpeas are slightly crunchy, about 35 minutes.
• Set chickpeas aside. Peel garlic and add to a medium pot, along with eggplant, onion, and broth. Bring mixture to a simmer over medium-high. With a potato masher or back of a wooden spoon, mash some eggplant until soup is thick and chunky. Stir in chickpeas and season to taste with salt and pepper. To serve, top with fresh oregano and plain yogurt, if desired.