**Eggplant Puree with Walnuts: A Culinary Symphony of Flavors and Textures**
Discover the delectable journey of eggplant puree, a culinary canvas where myriad flavors and textures harmoniously intertwine. Dive into the realm of this versatile dish, where smoky roasted eggplants blend seamlessly with the nutty richness of walnuts, creating a symphony of taste sensations.
From the classic Georgian delight of Badrijani Nigvzit, where eggplant and walnuts mingle in a fragrant dance of spices, to the vibrant Lebanese dish of Makdous, where whole eggplants are stuffed with a walnut filling and preserved in olive oil, each recipe captures the essence of this culinary gem.
Explore the smoky allure of Mutabal, an Arabic delicacy where charred eggplants are transformed into a smooth, dippable delight, while the traditional Turkish dish of Patlıcan Salatası entices with its interplay of roasted eggplants, tangy tomatoes, and crisp bell peppers.
Indulge in the rustic charm of Italian Melanzane alla Parmigiana, where layers of silky eggplant, tangy tomato sauce, and melted cheese create a symphony of flavors. Journey to Greece, where Melitzanosalata weaves a tapestry of roasted eggplants, tangy feta cheese, and aromatic herbs, offering a refreshing burst of Mediterranean zest.
Prepare to be captivated by the versatility of eggplant puree, as it effortlessly transitions from appetizer to main course. Spread it on crostini for an elegant hors d'oeuvre, or transform it into a hearty sandwich filling, accompanied by fresh vegetables and a drizzle of olive oil.
With its ability to complement a wide range of ingredients, eggplant puree stands as a culinary chameleon, ready to adapt to your creative culinary vision. Experiment with different spices, herbs, and accompaniments to create your own unique masterpiece.
So embark on this culinary journey, explore the diverse world of eggplant puree, and savor the symphony of flavors and textures that await your palate. Discover new favorites and expand your culinary horizons with this versatile and delectable dish.
EGGPLANT PUREE RECIPE BY TASTY
Here's what you need: eggplant, garlic, lemon, salt, olive oil, fresh parsley, sumac, olive oil
Provided by Pierce Abernathy
Categories Appetizers
Time 30m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Scoop out flesh of roasted eggplant into a medium sized mixing bowl.
- Add the garlic, lemon, salt, and olive oil. Mash together with a fork until loose puree forms.
- Garnish with parsley, sumac, and more olive oil.
- Enjoy!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 146 calories, Carbohydrate 14 grams, Fat 10 grams, Fiber 4 grams, Protein 1 gram, Sugar 5 grams
EGGPLANT CRISP WITH WALNUT STREUSEL
Top creamy eggplant with a crunchy walnut streusel for a side dish that's great for a late summer dinner. Got leftovers? Scoop some into a pita and add sliced cucumber and a drizzle of tahini sauce.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories side-dish
Time 1h40m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Adjust two racks to the top and bottom position of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with foil.
- Pierce the eggplants all over with a fork, and place on the foil-lined baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil. Roast on the top rack until completely soft when pierced with a paring knife, 1 hour to 1 hour 15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, toss the grape tomatoes with 1 tablespoon olive oil, 1/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds pepper. Spread on a small baking sheet and roast in the same oven until the tomatoes are soft and wrinkled, about 20 minutes. Transfer to a large bowl.
- Mix together the panko, walnuts, flour and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a small bowl. Drizzle in 3 tablespoons olive oil and mix until the mixture starts to clump. Reserve.
- When the eggplants are cool enough to handle, halve them and scoop the soft flesh into the bowl with the tomatoes (if the eggplants are too slippery to handle, hold them with a clean towel while scooping). Discard the skins and stems. Using a fork or spoon, mash the eggplant into smaller bite-sized pieces. (It's okay if the tomatoes get mashed in the process.) Add the garlic, 1 tablespoon each of dill and parsley, the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and a few grinds of pepper. Check for seasoning and add more salt, if necessary.
- Drizzle a little olive oil in the bottom of a wide 2-quart baking dish. Spread the eggplant mixture in the dish. Sprinkle feta in an even layer, then top with the reserved panko-walnut mixture. Bake until the top is golden brown and the eggplant is hot, 30 to 35 minutes.
- Right before serving, sprinkle with the remaining 2 tablespoons each dill and parsley and the lemon zest.
EGGPLANT PURéE WITH WALNUTS
_Makedonitiki Melitzanosalata_ _**Editor's note:** The recipe below is excerpted from Diane Kochilas's book_ The Greek Vegetarian. _Kochilas also shared some helpful cooking tips exclusively with Epicurious, which we've added at the bottom of the page._ _To read more about Kochilas and Greek cuisine, [click here.](http://eat.epicurious.com/eat/going_global/?/eat/going_global/greek/intro.html)_
Provided by Diane Kochilas
Yield Makes about 1 1/2 cups
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- 1. Preheat oven to 450°F. Wash the eggplants and pat dry. Puncture the skin in several places with a fork. Place on an ungreased pan and bake for about 25 minutes, turning, until the skin is blistered and shriveled. Remove from oven and cool for a few minutes, until easy to handle.
- 2. While the eggplants are roasting, pulse the garlic, walnuts, and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil together in a food processor until ground and pastelike.
- 3. Cut off the stem and cut the eggplant in half lengthwise. Using a spoon, scrape out the pulp, discarding as many of the seeds as possible. Add the eggplant, a little at a time, to the bowl of the food processor and pulse on and off. Add the lemon juice, vinegar, and remaining olive oil and pulse until well combined. The eggplant puree does not have to be perfectly smooth. Season with salt and add a bit of sugar if necessary, as eggplants sometimes impart a trace of bitterness.
STUFFED EGGPLANT WITH WALNUTS
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories side-dish
Time 1h
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Put the bulgur in a bowl and add 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1 cup boiling water. Cover and let sit until the bulgur is tender and the water is absorbed, about 30 minutes. Fluff with a fork.
- Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Lay the eggplant halves cut-side down in the skillet and season with salt, then place another skillet on top and weigh it down with large cans. Cook until the eggplant is soft and golden brown, about 6 minutes. Uncover, flip the eggplant and season with salt, then cover, weigh down and cook about 5 more minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate to cool.
- Pulse the walnuts, onion, celery and garlic in a food processor until coarsely chopped. Add the cilantro, tarragon and coriander and pulse until smooth. Add the bulgur and vinegar and pulse once or twice to combine. Add 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper to taste. Spread the bulgur mixture evenly on the cut sides of 3 eggplant halves; sandwich with the remaining halves. Wrap tightly with plastic wrap and refrigerate at least 1 hour.
- Slice the stuffed eggplant into pieces, sprinkle with the feta and drizzle with olive oil.
ROAST EGGPLANT WITH WALNUTS
This wonderful appetizer, when served with warm pita, marinated strips of red pepper & tasty olives, can be a meal unto itself... or tucked into a pita with the aforementioned for lunch, a very nice lunch. Per the Times: "This Turkish recipe is from Paula Wolfert's upcoming book, "The Slow Mediterranean Kitchen," which will be published in October by Wiley. Wolfert notes that the slower the grilling, the smokier the flavor of the eggplant. She thanks Dr. Ayse Baysal for sharing the recipe." Note: When large eggplants are roasted whole, you may notice black juices seeping out of the skin. If this happens, immediately slit the eggplant on one side and drain on a slanted board in the sink.
Provided by Busters friend
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 1h5m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Pierce the eggplants with a sharp fork in two or three places (to keep them from exploding) and place them as high as you can on a V-rack roaster. Set over a medium-low gas flame or over hot coals and grill, turning about three times, 15 minutes to a side, or until completely soft and the skin is black and blistery, about 45 minutes total. The longer and slower the grilling, the creamier the eggplant will be. When the eggplants collapse, remove from the grill and let cool slightly. Remove the black parched skin, then squeeze gently to remove any juices. Discard the juices, and crush the pulp to a puree with a fork.
- Meanwhile, grill the pepper. Remove the pepper when soft, cover with a sheet of plastic and allow to cool. Core, seed and slip off the skin. Chop fine and mix with the eggplant.
- Mash the garlic to a paste with half the walnuts and the salt in a mortar and pestle or food processor. Add the cheese, oil, vinegar, and salt and pepper, and pulse to combine.
- In a serving bowl, combine the garlic-walnut mixture with the eggplant-pepper pulp and mix well. Correct the seasoning. Mix the parsley and remaining walnuts and sprinkle on top. Serve with pita toasted until crisp. May be stored, covered, in the refrigerator for several days.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 295.3, Fat 23, SaturatedFat 5.3, Cholesterol 20.9, Sodium 331.3, Carbohydrate 17.1, Fiber 8.8, Sugar 6, Protein 10
Tips:
- To ensure the best flavor, select fresh, ripe eggplants. Look for eggplants that are firm and have a deep purple color, and avoid those that are bruised or have blemishes.
- When roasting the eggplants, prick them all over with a fork to allow the steam to escape and prevent them from bursting.
- Once the eggplants are roasted, let them cool slightly before handling them. This will make them easier to peel and prevent them from breaking apart.
- If you don't have a food processor, you can mash the roasted eggplants with a fork or potato masher until they are smooth.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of garlic, lemon juice, and walnuts in the dip to suit your taste.
- Serve the eggplant pure with walnuts as an appetizer, dip, or spread. It pairs well with pita bread, crackers, or vegetables.
Conclusion:
Eggplant pure with walnuts is a delicious and versatile dip that can be enjoyed in many different ways. It is a great way to use up leftover roasted eggplants, and it is also a healthy and affordable option. With its creamy texture and smoky flavor, this dip is sure to be a hit at your next gathering.
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