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.

SMOKY EGGPLANT SOUP

Steps:

• Poke 2 or 3 holes in eggplants with a paring knife, then place on a baking sheet under hot broiler, about 2 inches from flame. Cook for 3 or 4 minutes, allowing skins to blacken and char. Turn and cook on other side until eggplants have softened completely, about 4 minutes more. Set aside to cool, then remove and discard skins and roughly chop eggplant flesh.
• Meanwhile, put 3 tablespoons olive oil in a heavy-bottomed stainless or enameled soup pot over medium-high heat. Add onion, season generously with salt and pepper, and cook until softened and beginning to color, 5 to 7 minutes. Add garlic, cayenne and reserved eggplant and cook 1 minute more, then add broth and bring to a brisk simmer. Reduce heat and simmer gently for 10 minutes. Check seasoning of broth and adjust salt.
• Purée soup in batches in blender. Strain through fine-meshed sieve and discard solid debris and seeds. Add 3 tablespoons lemon juice to puréed soup and taste again, adding more as necessary. Soup should be well seasoned and rather lemony.
• Mix lemon zest with remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil for garnish. Ladle soup into small bowls, topping each bowl with 1 teaspoon lemon oil, 1/2 teaspoon za'atar and some chopped parsley. May be served hot or cold.