Smoky Eggplant Dip With Pita Chips Recipes

Steps:

• Make a fire on one side of a charcoal grill. When the fire is hot, prick the eggplants all over with a fork, and place them on the hot side of the grill for 10 minutes, turning occasionally, to char the skin all over. Move the eggplants to the cool side of the grill, put on the lid, making sure the vents are open, and roast the eggplants for 40 to 45 minutes, until they collapse when you press on them, turning once halfway through. Transfer the eggplants to a platter and cut in half lengthwise, allowing any liquid to run out.
• With a slotted spoon, scoop the insides of the eggplants into the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade, discarding the skin and any excess liquid. Add the yogurt, lemon juice, mint, garlic, 1 tablespoon olive oil, the Sriracha, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Pulse just five or six times to combine but not puree the ingredients. Taste for seasonings; it should be highly seasoned!
• Transfer to a shallow serving bowl, drizzle with olive oil, sprinkle with extra mint and salt, and serve warm or at room temperature with pita triangles.

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.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 475°F. Arrange pita wedges in single layer on rimmed baking sheet; brush pita lightly with 1 tablespoon olive oil.
• Place eggplant, skin side down, on half of another rimmed baking sheet. Place onions and garlic on other half of sheet. Brush eggplant with 2 tablespoons oil; drizzle onions and garlic with 1 tablespoon oil. Toss vegetables; spread in thin layer.
• Bake pita until crisp, about 4 minutes. Roast vegetables until browned and tender, about 30 minutes. Peel garlic. Scoop out pulp from eggplant and transfer to processor. Add onions and peeled garlic; puree until almost smooth. Transfer puree to bowl; mix in mint, cilantro, and garam masala. Season with salt and pepper; serve with pita chips.

Steps:

• Dip Directions
• Preheat grill on medium, Place eggplant on an oiled grid. Grill 15 minutes or until soft and skin is charred, turn often. Remove from grill and cool until you can handle it.
• Peel skin from the eggplant with a paring knife and discard. Coarsely chop eggplant and place in a strainer or kitchen towel and gently press out any excess liquid.
• Place eggplant in food processor add olive oil, peanut butter, lemon juice, garlic, salt, cumin, and hot sauce. Cover and process until it is very smooth. Transfer to a bowl and refrigerate 30 minutes or overnight.
• Spicy Pita Chips Directions
• Split 4 pita bread rounds in half lengthwise.
• Combine olive oil, hot sauce, and garlic in a small bowl. Bush the mix on both sides of the pita bread. Grill over medium heat about 5 minutes until crispy turning only once. Cut pitas into triangles.

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.