Smoked Aubergine Purée Food

BABA GHANNOUJ (SMOKED EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) PUREE)

Steps:

• Char grill eggplants over a direct flame or roast in the oven until skin has blackened.
• Set aside in a bowl covered with plastic wrap until cool enough to handle, then peel carefully.
• To remove the bitter flavoured juices from the eggplants, squeeze the flesh/pulp until most of the juices have been drained.
• In a food processor, blend warm eggplant, with cumin, garlic, salt, tahini and lemon juice until it is a smooth paste.
• Then while still blending the eggplant mixture slowly drizzle in olive oil.
• Season to taste and serve with your favourite bread.

GREEK SMOKED AUBERGINE DIP RECIPE (MELITZANOSALATA)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200C or 392F
• Wash the aubergine ( eggplant) under running water and dry it with a towel. Pierce the aubergine a few times with a toothpick once dry.
• Place the aubergine (eggplant) on a baking tray and roast it at 180C-200C or 356-392F for 30-40 minutes. Check at regular intervals if the aubergine is ready. Note that cooking time will depend on the size of the aubergine.
• When the aubergine is ready, remove it from the oven. Slice it along the long axis so that the flesh is visible. The flesh will be soft and juicy.
• Dice the tomato and chop the garlic finely.
• Crumble the Feta cheese and sprinkle it along with tomato, garlic and thyme on the aubergine.
• Finally drizzle with olive oil and vinegar.

SMOKED SPICED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Peel and dice the onion; set aside in a mixing bowl. Using tongs, roast the eggplant directly on the burner of a gas stove over medium heat, turning often, until skin is completely blackened and the flesh is soft, about 10 minutes. Alternatively, prick a few holes in the eggplant (to vent steam) and roast it on a rimmed baking sheet in a 500 F oven for about 20 minutes.
• When eggplant is charred all over, set it aside until it is cool enough to handle. Then pull off skin with your fingers or a knife (discard the skin); finely chop the eggplant with a knife or pass it through a ricer. Set aside. Finely chop green chilies, including their seeds, and set aside.
• Add oil to a skillet or kadai over medium-high heat, followed by the onion. Cook until edges are brown, but there is still a bit of texture, about 15 minutes. Add ginger and stir; if the onion mixture is sticking to the pan, add a little water to deglaze it. Add garlic and stir; then add coriander, cumin, and cayenne, deglazing as needed with more water to prevent the spices from burning.
• Add eggplant to the pan and continue cooking, stirring well to combine thoroughly. Add salt to taste, ensuring that all the flavors are balanced. Add tomatoes and stir to combine; then add the desired amount of green chili, follow by cilantro. Season again with salt. Stir in garam masala, a squeeze of lemon juice, stir and serve.

SMOKED SPICED EGGPLANT PUREE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Char over a gas flame, grill, or broil the eggplants until the skins are charred and blistered. Transfer to baking pan and roast for 30 minutes or until soft. Remove from oven and cool. Toast cumin and coriander seeds until aromatic and grind in a spice grinder (or toast spices already ground).
• Heat oil in a small skillet over moderate heat. Add onion and saute until tender. Add garlic and ginger and saute a few seconds to release the aroma. Add turmeric, ground toasted cumin and coriander and salt and saute another minute just to release the aroma.
• Cut stem ends of eggplants and peel skin. Set eggplant in food processor and puree until coarse. Add onion and spice mixture and puree. Transfer to serving bowl and stir in lime and yogurt and jalapeno. Right before serving dust eggplant puree with chopped cilantro and mint. Serve with toasted pita triangles or fresh vegetables or crackers.

SMOKED AUBERGINE PURéE

Steps:

• Heat grill to very hot. Slice the aubergines in half lengthways, then grill for 25 mins, turning occasionally, until soft - the skin will remain firm, but the flesh will soften. Lift the aubergines off the grill and leave until cool enough to handle.
• Using a sharp knife, score the grilled flesh and scoop out the flesh with a spoon. Tip into a bowl and mash with a fork until you get a thick pulp. Beat in the lemon juice and garlic. Add the yogurt and dill, and season. Serve while still warm.

SMOKY AUBERGINE TAGINE WITH LEMON & APRICOTS

Steps:

• Brown the aubergines in 2 tbsp of the oil so they're golden on all sides, but not soft in the middle yet - this is best done in batches in a large, non-stick frying pan.
• Heat a heavy-based shallow lidded pan or flameproof tagine with the remaining oil, then add the onions, ginger and spices, and fry gently until softened and golden.
• Meanwhile, add the saffron to the stock to soak. Stir the preserved lemon rind and pulp, apricots, tomatoes, honey and lemon juice into the onions with the saffron stock. Snugly fit the aubergines in, cover with a lid and simmer for 30 mins until the aubergines are tender. Season to taste.
• Mix together the lemon zest, sesame seeds and chopped herbs, and sprinkle over the tagine. Serve with Greek yogurt and wholemeal bulghar wheat, if you like.