Best 5 Strange Flavor Eggplant Spread Recipes

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**An Explosion of Flavors: Explore a Medley of Eggplant Spreads from Different Cuisines**

Embark on a culinary journey with our diverse collection of eggplant spread recipes. From the smoky and earthy baba ganoush to the vibrant and tangy ajvar, these spreads offer a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. Discover the creamy and garlicky mutabal, a Levantine delight, and the spicy and aromatic shakshuka, an Israeli breakfast staple. Each recipe brings a unique cultural twist, inviting you to savor the richness and versatility of the eggplant. Prepare to be captivated by the interplay of textures and flavors as you explore these culinary gems.

Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!

ROASTED EGGPLANT SPREAD



Roasted Eggplant Spread image

Provided by Ina Garten

Categories     appetizer

Time 1h

Yield 6 to 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 medium eggplant, peeled
2 red bell peppers, seeded
1 red onion, peeled
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons good olive oil
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
1 tablespoon tomato paste

Steps:

  • Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
  • Cut the eggplant, bell pepper, and onion into 1-inch cubes. Toss them in a large bowl with the garlic, olive oil, salt, and pepper. Spread them on a baking sheet. Roast for 45 minutes, until the vegetables are lightly browned and soft, tossing once during cooking.
  • Cool slightly.
  • Place the vegetables in a food processor fitted with a steel blade, add the tomato paste, and pulse 3 or 4 times to blend. Taste for salt and pepper.

ROASTED EGGPLANT SPREAD



Roasted Eggplant Spread image

Black pepper and garlic perk up this out-of-the-ordinary spread that hits the spot on a crisp cracker or toasted bread slice. -Barbara McCalley, Allison Park, Pennsylvania.

Provided by Taste of Home

Categories     Appetizers

Time 1h5m

Yield 2 cups.

Number Of Ingredients 9

3 tablespoons olive oil
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2 large sweet red peppers, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 medium eggplant, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 medium red onion, cut into 1-inch pieces
1 tablespoon tomato paste
Toasted baguette slices or assorted crackers

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 400°. Mix first 4 ingredients. Place vegetables in a large bowl; toss with oil mixture. Transfer to a 15x10x1-in. pan coated with cooking spray. Roast vegetables until softened and lightly browned, 45-50 minutes, stirring once., Transfer to a food processor; cool slightly. Add tomato paste; pulse just until blended (mixture should be chunky)., Transfer to a bowl; cool completely. Serve with baguette slices or crackers.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 84 calories, Fat 5g fat (1g saturated fat), Cholesterol 0 cholesterol, Sodium 153mg sodium, Carbohydrate 9g carbohydrate (5g sugars, Fiber 3g fiber), Protein 1g protein. Diabetic Exchanges

STRANGE-FLAVOR EGGPLANT (RECIPE BY BARBARA TROPP FROM THE CHINA MOON COOKBOOK)



STRANGE-FLAVOR EGGPLANT (RECIPE BY BARBARA TROPP FROM THE CHINA MOON COOKBOOK) image

Categories     Condiment/Spread     Appetizer

Number Of Ingredients 14

Eggplant:
1 to 1 1/2 pound eggplant
2 tablespoons vegetable oil
1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
Aromatics:
1 tablespoon minced garlic
1 tablespoon minced ginger
1/4 cup finely chopped green onion
1/2 teaspoon crushed red chile flakes (or to taste)
Sauce:
3 tablespoon soy sauce
3 tablespoon packed brown sugar
1 teaspoon unseasoned rice vinegar
1 tablespoon hot water

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 475°F. Remove the leaves from the eggplant and prick in several places. Bake, turning once, until fork-tender, 20 - 40 minutes. Remove eggplant from oven and slit lengthwise to speed cooling. While still warm, remove the stem end and peel, scraping off the pulp and reserving. Process the pulp in a food processor until nearly smooth. Combine aromatics in a small bowl. Combine sauce ingredients in a small bowl. In a large skillet over med-high heat, add oil and swirl to coat. Cook aromatics until fragrant, about 15 seconds. Add the sauce and simmer briefly (30 seconds?). Add eggplant puree to skillet and stir well to blend and heat through. Remove from heat, taste and adjust chile flakes, sugar or vinegar to achieve a well-balanced flavor. Stir in sesame oil. Refrigerate overnight to allow flavors to meld. Serve at room temperature.

SMOKY EGGPLANT SPREAD



Smoky Eggplant Spread image

Essentially a delightful eggplant schmear to eat with warm pita triangles, this spread gets its pleasant smoky flavor from a deliberate charring of the eggplant skin. Whether over hot coals or under the broiler, the eggplant must be mercilessly blackened (the inner sweet flesh gets steamed to softness in the process). Tahini, olive oil, cumin, lemon and hot pepper take care of the rest.

Provided by David Tanis

Categories     dips and spreads

Time 40m

Yield about 2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 12

3 medium eggplants, about 2 pounds
Salt
1/4 cup tahini paste
1/4 cup lemon juice
4 garlic cloves, mashed to a paste
1/8 teaspoon cayenne
1/2 teaspoon cumin seed, toasted until fragrant and coarsely ground
3 tablespoons olive oil
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1 tablespoon finely chopped parsley
1 tablespoon finely chopped mint
Pita or other flatbread, for serving (optional)

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.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 157, UnsaturatedFat 10 grams, Carbohydrate 11 grams, Fat 12 grams, Fiber 5 grams, Protein 3 grams, SaturatedFat 2 grams, Sodium 423 milligrams, Sugar 5 grams

STRANGE FLAVOR EGGPLANT



Strange Flavor Eggplant image

Make and share this Strange Flavor Eggplant recipe from Food.com.

Provided by fredjo

Categories     Vegetable

Time 50m

Yield 2 cups, 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 12

1 eggplant (approx 1 pound)
1 tablespoon minced ginger
1 tablespoon minced garlic clove
1/4 cup scallion, sliced
1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
3 tablespoons soy sauce
3 tablespoons brown sugar
1 teaspoon rice vinegar
1 tablespoon hot water
1 tablespoon canola oil
1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
handful cilantro (to garnish)

Steps:

  • Pierce eggplant with fork in several places. Bake at 475 until tender and somewhat collapsed (20-40 minutes).
  • Remove from oven and slash down the center. When cool enough to handle, remove flesh from skin and puree in food processor or blender.
  • In large frying pan, briefly saute ginger, garlic, scallions, and red pepper in canola oil.
  • Mix together soy sauce, brown sugar, rice vinegar, and hot water to make sauce.
  • Add sauce to ingredients in frying pan and bring to a gentle simmer.
  • Add eggplant, mix together, and heat through.
  • Remove from heat, add sesame oil, and mix thoroughly.
  • Garnish with cilantro and serve with pita chips or crostini.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 78.1, Fat 2.9, SaturatedFat 0.2, Sodium 508.1, Carbohydrate 12.6, Fiber 2.8, Sugar 8.7, Protein 1.9

Tips:

  • To choose the best eggplants, look for ones that are firm and heavy for their size, with smooth, unblemished skin.
  • Prick the eggplants with a fork before roasting to allow steam to escape and prevent them from bursting.
  • Roast the eggplants until they are very tender, about 1 hour. The flesh should be easily pierced with a fork.
  • Let the eggplants cool slightly before handling them. The skin will be very hot, so use a towel or oven mitt to protect your hands.
  • Scoop out the eggplant flesh and mash it with a fork or potato masher. You can also use a food processor, but be careful not to over-process it.
  • Add your desired seasonings and mix well. Some popular additions include garlic, tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, and spices.
  • Serve the eggplant spread immediately or store it in the refrigerator for later use.

Conclusion:

Eggplant spread is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a dip, spread, or condiment. It is a great way to use up leftover eggplant, and it is also a healthy and affordable option. With its smoky flavor and creamy texture, eggplant spread is sure to be a hit at your next party or gathering.

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