Smoked Aubergine Purée Recipes

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.

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.

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.

GREEK LAMB WITH SMOKED AUBERGINE & MINTY BROAD BEANS

Steps:

• Turn on your hob's largest gas flame and cook the aubergine directly over it for 7-8 mins, using tongs to turn it every 2 mins, until it is soft and the skin has charred. You can do this on the barbecue or under a hot grill if you don't have a gas hob. Allow to cool a little.
• Mix the lemon zest, half the garlic, the oregano, some black pepper and 1/2 tsp oil, then use to coat the lamb steaks. Boil the broad beans for 4 mins.
• Put the aubergine on a large plate and carefully remove and discard the skin. Use a knife and fork to finely chop the flesh, which should now be soft and pulpy. Tip into a bowl with the remaining garlic, the yogurt, tahini and some seasoning, and stir well.
• Heat the griddle or barbecue and cook the lamb for 5 mins, turning once. Meanwhile, mix the beans with the lemon juice, remaining olive oil and the mint leaves. Spoon the aubergine purée onto plates and scatter round the minty beans. Top with the lamb and serve with lemon wedges.