Tunisian Eggplant Aubergine Salad Recipes

Steps:

• Soak sun-dried tomatoes in boiling water 15-30 minutes until they soften, then drain and dice; set aside until needed.
• Heat oil in a large skillet; add eggplant, red pepper, and onion along with salt, pepper, cumin, paprika, and garlic.
• Cook mixture, stirring occasionally, over medium heat, for 8-9 minutes or until lightly tender, then remove from heat and allow to cool.
• In a large bowl, mix together chopped olives, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, chopped parsley, toasted almonds, lemon juice, and mint (if using).
• Mix in cooled eggplant mixture, tossing lightly (add extra-virgin olive oil, salt, or fresh lemon juice if desired to adjust consistency to your taste).
• Serve salad warm or chilled with fresh pita bread, or alone as a salad or first course.

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil and rub it with olive oil. Cut the eggplant in half lengthwise and score down the middle, being careful not to cut through the skin. Place the eggplant on the foil-covered baking sheet, cut side down. Place in the oven, and bake 20 minutes or until the skin has begun to shrivel and the eggplant has softened. Remove from the oven and transfer to a colander, cut side down. Allow to cool and drain for 10 minutes. Turn the oven down to 350 degrees. Cut the eggplant into small dice. Don't worry if the eggplant is so soft that it falls apart when you cut it up. If the charred edges on the cut side taste bitter, cut them away and discard them.
• While the eggplant is in the oven, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium heat in a large, heavy nonstick skillet, and add the onion and pepper. Cook, stirring often, until tender, 5 to 10 minutes. Add a pinch of salt, stir in the garlic and eggplant and cook for one more minute, stirring. Remove from the heat. Season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Place the remaining tablespoon of oil in a 2-quart casserole or a 9-inch cast iron skillet, brush the sides of the pan with the oil, and place in the oven. Meanwhile, in a large bowl, beat the eggs and add the parsley, cheese, salt (about 1/2 teaspoon), pepper, cinnamon and cayenne. For a spicier dish, whisk in about a teaspoon of harissa or more, to taste. Stir in the eggplant mixture.
• Remove the pan from the oven, and pour in the egg mixture. Bake 35 to 40 minutes, until lightly browned on the top and set. Allow to cool for 10 minutes or longer before serving. Serve hot or at room temperature, cut into wedges or squares.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350.
• Puncture eggplants with a fork and place on a baking sheet.
• Bake 1 1/2 hrs or until soft - turn occasionally.
• Cool. Peel and dice.
• In a large bowl combine remaining ingredients.
• Add eggplant and marinate at least 2 hours.
• Note: I used fresh parsley, basil and oregano.

Steps:

• Peel the uncooked eggplants, then cut into 1x3-inch (approx) slices.
• Lay on a cookie sheet, sprinkle with the salt, and allow to"sweat" and drain for 30 minutes.
• Rinse well and pat dry with paper towels.
• Heat oil and butter in a skillet and fry the slices until both sides are golden brown, about 15 minutes.
• Set cooked slices on paper towels to drain of excess oil.
• Cut into 1/2-inch pieces and mix with the garlic, bell pepper, cayenne, and cumin.
• Return eggplant to the skillet, add 1 Tbsp sherry and sauté on low until liquids have evaporated, about 5 minutes.
• Transfer to the serving bowl, sprinkle with the dressing ingredients, and let cool.
• When ready to serve, toss the salad, garnish with black olives, golden raisins, currants, and parsley.
• Makes 6-8 servings.
• Adapted from a Gail's Recipe Swap post by Dawn/NYS.

Steps:

• With a fork, pierce skin of eggplant. Bake eggplant in a rimmed pan in a 400 degrees oven for 1 hour or until very soft; cool.
• Split in half and scoop out pulp into a bowl. Mash pulp with a fork.
• Mix in oil, lemon juice, garlic, green pepper and salt and pepper to taste. Cover and chill for 2 hours.
• To serve: Arrange romaine lettuce leaves on platter. Mound eggplant in center. Garnish with tomato wedges and fresh parsley.