Smoky Eggplant Chutney Food

SMOKY EGGPLANT DIP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
• Pierce each eggplant with the tip of a knife in about 10 spots. Place on a rimmed baking sheet and roast until very soft and cracking in a few spots, about 50 minutes. Let cool slightly.
• Cut each eggplant open lengthwise and scrape out the flesh with a large spoon; discard the skin. Place the flesh in the bowl of a food processor and pulse to coarsely chop. Add the parsley, mint, oregano, lemon juice, chiles, salt and olive oil. Puree for 20 seconds to combine. Allow to cool slightly before serving with crackers.

GRILLED SKIRT STEAK WITH SMOKY EGGPLANT CHUTNEY

Steps:

• Build a fire in your grill; when the coals are covered with gray ash and the temperature is medium-hot (you can hold your hand 5 inches above the coals for 3 to 4 seconds) you are ready to cook. (For a gas grill, turn all burners to high, lower cover and heat for 15 minutes, then turn burners to medium-high.)
• Meanwhile, heat the oil in a medium sauté pan over medium heat until hot but not smoking. Add the ginger and garlic and sauté, stirring occasionally, for 1 minute. Add the coriander, cumin, mustard, chile powder and cinnamon and cook, stirring, until the spices just begin to darken and you can smell their aromas strongly, about 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
• When the spice mixture has cooled slightly, sprinkle the steak generously with salt, then rub all over with the mixture, pressing gently so it adheres.
• Put the steak on the grill directly over the heat and cook for 4 to 5 minutes a side for medium-rare. Remove from heat, slice thinly against the grain and serve, accompanied by smoky eggplant chutney if desired.

SMOKY EGGPLANT CHUTNEY

Steps:

• Rub the eggplant with the olive oil and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Grill over medium-high heat until golden brown, 3 to 4 minutes a side. Remove from heat and cut into medium dice.
• In a skillet, heat the vegetable oil over medium-high heat until hot but not smoking. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until slightly colored, 6 to 8 minutes. Add the eggplant, sugar, vinegar and salt and pepper to taste and cook, stirring frequently, for 3 minutes. Add cilantro and serve.

SMOKY EGGPLANT SPREAD

Steps:

• Prepare a charcoal fire or heat the broiler. Pierce eggplants here and there with the point of a paring knife. Place eggplants 2 inches from heat source. Allow skins to blister and char, turning with tongs until entire surface is blackened and eggplants are completely soft, about 10 to 12 minutes. Set aside until cool enough to handle.
• Slice eggplants in half lengthwise and lay skin side down on a cutting board. Carefully scrape away flesh with a knife and put it in a colander. Discard burned skins. Do not rinse eggplant flesh - a few bits of remaining char is fine. Salt flesh lightly and leave for 5 to 10 minutes, then squeeze into a ball to remove liquid.
• Blitz eggplant, 1/2 teaspoon salt, tahini, lemon juice, garlic and cayenne in a food processor or blender to obtain a creamy purée. (For a more rustic spread, beat with a whisk instead.) Taste and adjust salt and lemon juice if necessary. Transfer mixture to a shallow serving bowl.
• Just before serving, stir together cumin and olive oil, and spoon over the mixture's surface. Sprinkle with paprika, parsley and mint. Serve with warm pita cut into triangles if desired.