Cucumber Blossom Fritter With Eggplant And Tahini Dipping Sauce Recipes

CREAMY TAHINI SAUCE, THREE WAYS

Steps:

• Make the Creamy Tahini Sauce:
• Sprinkle garlic with salt on a cutting board, then use the side of a knife to smash into a paste. Transfer to a large bowl. Add tahini and 1 cup warm water. Whisk until smooth. Add parsley, lemon juice, oil, and cayenne and whisk to combine.
• For the Creamy Tahini Dip with Avocado:
• Combine avocado, yogurt, lemon juice, salt, cumin, and 1/2 cup Creamy Tahini Sauce in a large bowl, then mash with a fork until smooth. For a smoother texture, purée in a blender.
• For the Creamy Tahini Dressing with Cucumber and Dill:
• Purée cucumber, buttermilk, sour cream, lemon juice, salt, and 1/2 cup Creamy Tahini Sauce in a blender until smooth. Add dill and pulse a few more times to combine.
• Do Ahead
• Creamy Tahini Sauce can be stored in an airtight container and chilled for up to 7 days.

MUTABAL (EGGPLANT-TAHINI DIP)

Steps:

• Cook the eggplants directly on the burner of a gas stove or in the oven. On a gas stove, sear the eggplants directly over a medium-high flame. Rotate every 5 minutes, until the globes are completely blackened, about 15 minutes total. Alternately, preheat the oven to 450°F. Place the eggplants on a sheet tray, poke them all over with the tines of a fork, rub them with the oil, and place the tray in the oven and cook for 25 to 30 minutes, until the eggplants collapse in on themselves and the skins are blackened.
• Place the cooked eggplants in a bowl and seal the bowl with plastic wrap to let the eggplants steam in their own juices.
• In a medium bowl, combine the tahini, lemon juice and zest, garlic, cumin, salt, and pepper.
• When the eggplants have cooled enough to touch, split them lengthwise. Using a spoon, scrape out the pulp, discarding the skins and stems. For a milder flavor, scrape the seeds off the strands of pulp.
• Use a fork to mash the pulp into the tahini-garlic mix, creating a chunky dip. Adjust the salt to taste.
• When ready to serve, scoop the eggplant mixture onto a serving plate. Use a spoon to create a well in the center and drizzle in the oil, then garnish with the molasses, pomegranate seeds, and parsley.

LOBSTER ROLL WITH YUZU CASHEW DIPPING SAUCE

Steps:

• Soak each rice paper in warm water before rolling. Cut each sheet into 4 pieces by first cutting across and then diagonal. Place a few basil leaves and some lobster meat down on 1/4 of the soaked wrapper. Next place some apple, mushrooms, and baby cucumber on top.
• Roll in a cone shape and store under a damp paper towel before serving with the dipping sauce.
• Combine all ingredients except the cilantro and cashews. Pulse with hand blender or blender. Fold in chopped cilantro and cashews.

SPICY STIR-FRIED JAPANESE EGGPLANT AND CUCUMBER

Steps:

• Trim off the calyx end of the eggplants. Cut in half lengthwise, then slice thin (about 1/4 inch). Lightly salt, and toss in a colander. Allow to sit for 15 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients. Squeeze out excess water, then dry between sheets of paper towel.
• Meanwhile, trim off the ends of the cucumbers. Cut in half lengthwise, then slice on the diagonal into 1/4-inch thick slices.
• Combine the rice vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, salt and sesame oil in a small bowl. Place all of the ingredients near your wok or frying pan.
• Heat a 14-inch flat-bottomed wok or 12-inch steel skillet over high heat until a drop of water evaporates within a second or two from the surface of the pan. Add the peanut or canola oil to the sides of the pan and tilt the pan to distribute. Add the eggplant. Stir-fry for three to four minutes until cooked through. Add the ginger and red pepper flakes, and stir-fry for 30 seconds. Add the cucumbers and scallions or chives. Stir-fry 30 seconds. Add the soy sauce mixture to the wok, and stir-fry one minute until the cucumber just begins to wilt. Remove from the heat and serve.

QUINOA BOWL WITH CRISPY BRUSSELS SPROUTS, EGGPLANT AND TAHINI

Steps:

• Heat oven to 425 degrees.
• Make the tahini dressing: Whisk together lemon juice, garlic and salt in a medium bowl. Let sit for 1 minute, then slowly whisk in oil, a few drops at a time, until emulsified. Whisk in tahini and enough water (by the teaspoon) to make a thin pourable sauce; taste and add more salt and lemon juice if needed. Set aside.
• Prepare the grain bowl: Place the brussels sprouts on a rimmed baking sheet, and the eggplant on another. Toss all vegetables with just enough olive oil and salt to coat. Roast brussels sprouts for 17 to 22 minutes and eggplant for 20 to 30 minutes, until vegetables are browned and tender. Toss vegetables once or twice while roasting.
• While vegetables are in the oven, make the quinoa: In a medium saucepan, place quinoa, 2 cups water and 1/4 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil, and then lower to a simmer for 15 minutes, until the grains soften and water is absorbed. Transfer to a medium bowl and set aside.
• In a small bowl, whisk together lemon juice, honey or agave, remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and the red-pepper flakes. As soon as the eggplant is done, toss immediately with the lemon red-pepper mixture to coat. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary.
• To serve, place quinoa in four bowls. Divide brussels sprouts, eggplant and tomatoes among the bowls, mounding the vegetables next to one another on top of the quinoa. Generously drizzle tahini dressing over the bowls and garnish with mint and more red-pepper flakes.