Smoky Eggplant Dip With Yogurt And Mint Food

SMOKY EGGPLANT SALAD WITH YOGURT AND MINT

Steps:

• Put the whole eggplants on a barbecue grate over hot coals. Turning frequently, cook until the skin is completely blackened and charred and eggplants begin to soften and collapse, about 10 minutes. Alternatively cook them directly on a stovetop burner or under the broiler. Set aside to cool.
• Cut eggplants in quarters top to bottom and carefully separate the flesh from the skin with a spoon or paring knife. Discard the charred skin. Chop flesh roughly with a large knife or in a food processor and put it in a fine-meshed sieve to drain excess liquid.
• Transfer eggplants to a mixing bowl. Add salt, garlic, lemon juice, olive oil, yogurt and dried mint. Mix well, then set aside to rest for a few minutes. Check seasoning and adjust.
• Put mixture in a low serving bowl. Drizzle with pomegranate molasses, if using, and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Sprinkle with chopped mint and parsley and a pinch of red pepper flakes.

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.

SMOKY EGGPLANT DIP WITH YOGURT

Steps:

• Turn a gas burner on high and use tongs to place the eggplant directly on the burner. Char the eggplant, turning it once every minute or so, until it is evenly charred, black, and tender, about 6 minutes. Remove from the flame and let cool in a strainer or colander set over a bowl. If you don't have a gas stove, poke holes in the eggplant with a fork and cook on a greased baking sheet in a 400°F oven until soft, 30 to 40 minutes. Let cool.
• Pull off the charred eggplant skin and slice off the stem and discard. If you baked the eggplant, scoop the flesh out with a spoon. Coarsely chop the eggplant flesh.
• Combine the eggplant, garlic, lemon juice, and yogurt in the bowl of a food processor and purée until smooth. With the machine running, slowly pour in the olive oil. Add the parsley and pulse a few times. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Make this dish at least an hour before serving so the flavors can develop. Taste and season again just before serving. Place the dip in a serving bowl and sprinkle the paprika over the top. The dip lasts for 5 days refrigerated, but will need to be reseasoned with salt after sitting in the refrigerator.

SMOKY EGGPLANT DIP

Steps:

• Remove grate and prepare a charcoal grill for medium heat (coals should be covered with ash and glowing red with no black remaining). Place eggplants directly on coals and cook, turning occasionally, until skins are completely charred and flesh is collapsed, 15-20 minutes. Transfer to a rimmed baking sheet and let cool. (Or, you can grill on the grate of a gas or charcoal grill over medium-high heat, turning occasionally, 20-25 minutes.)
• Split eggplants lengthwise and scoop flesh from skin into a medium bowl (it's okay if bits of charred skin get in there too). Mash eggplant with a fork to break up, then mix in garlic, yogurt, chopped mint, red pepper flakes, and 2 Tbsp. oil; season with salt.
• To serve, drizzle dip with more oil and top with mint leaves.
• Do Ahead
• Dip can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.

SMOKY EGGPLANT DIP WITH PITA CHIPS

Steps:

• Heat the grill. Meanwhile, in a blender combine 3/4 cup olive oil, the oregano, thyme and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Blend until you have a rough purée, 2 to 5 minutes depending on how strong your blender is. Taste and add a pinch of salt if needed. Purée should be well seasoned.
• Split pita breads in half along their seams to make 6 flat rounds. Brush both sides of each pita round with herb purée.
• When grill is hot, cook the eggplant, whole, until skins are shriveled and flesh has collapsed, about 8 to 12 minutes per side. Transfer to a bowl to cool.
• Grill pitas until crisp, about 30 seconds to 1 minute per side. Let rest for a minute or two until cool enough to handle but still very warm, then slice each round into 6 wedges.
• Peel eggplant and put flesh in a food processor with remaining 1 tablespoon oil, the garlic, yogurt, lemon juice, pepper and remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt. Purée, then taste and add more lemon or salt (or both) if needed. Serve the dip spread on a plate, drizzled with more olive oil and garnished with mint, dates and pomegranate seeds if desired.

GRILLED EGGPLANT WITH YOGURT-MINT SAUCE

Steps:

• Mix first 5 ingredients in medium bowl; season with salt and pepper. (Can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and refrigerate.)
• Prepare barbecue (medium-high heat). Rub eggplant rounds on both sides with sesame oil. Sprinkle with coriander, salt, and pepper. Grill until slightly charred, about 6 minutes per side.
• Arrange eggplant rounds on platter. Serve with yogurt-mint sauce.