Butterflied Roasted Eggplant Salad Recipes

ROASTED EGGPLANT SALAD

Steps:

• Heat broiler. Prick eggplants several times with the tip of a knife. Broil 3 to 4 inches from heat, turning occasionally, until soft and charred all over, about 30 minutes. When cool enough to handle, remove skin. Place eggplants in a colander set over a bowl; let drain for at least 30 minutes.
• Halve eggplants lengthwise; discard seeds. Chop flesh finely, and place in a bowl.
• Combine vinegar, lemon juice, olive and vegetable oils, onion, garlic, sugar, salt, and pepper. Add to eggplant; mix to combine. Serve at room temperature sprinkled with chopped mint and parsley.

BUTTERFLIED ROASTED EGGPLANT SALAD

Steps:

• In a small saucepan, combine the garlic and oil and cook over low heat until the garlic turns a faint golden color, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat, strain and discard the garlic cloves. This makes about 1 cup garlic-infused oil, more than is needed for the remainder of the recipe. The oil will keep for up to 2 days, refrigerated.
• Blanch the herbs in a pot of boiling water until brightly colored, about 20 seconds. Drain and dry thoroughly. Place the herbs in a blender and pulse to chop, then add the olive oil and pulse to combine. Set aside for about 2 hours to steep, then strain through a fine-mesh strainer. This makes about 3/4 cup aromatic oil, more than is needed for the remainder of the recipe. The oil will keep for 2 days, refrigerated.
• Roast the eggplant on a grill or stovetop burner until charred on all sides and the interior is very soft, 6 to 8 minutes depending on the heat.
• Holding the stem in place, butterfly the eggplant so it opens almost like a panel, with the flesh totally exposed. Score the flesh crosswise.
• Drizzle over a little garlic olive oil, the salt, tomato, feta and thyme. Garnish the eggplant with parsley and a drizzle of aromatic olive oil. Serve immediately.