VOTW - Eggplant!

[softnred]

I've been curious about eggplant as well. I'm getting some this weekend and trying things out!!!

I love eggplant roasted in the oven.
Just wash it cut it long ways in long hunks that look like steak fries.
brush with EVOO and roast in a hot oven 475 F till browned you will need to flip them so don't crowd them in the pan. I use a jelly roll pan.

If you want tyou can toss some garlic cloves on it and roast them too at the same time.

When it is done you can eat it like that or put it in the blender with some garlic and puree adding EVOO until smooth and you have eggplant caviar

I like to use the japanese or the cresent moon varieties for this.

I'm lost...what's EVOO?????

[cmcole]

EVOO = Extra Virgin Olive Oil (A Rachael Ray over-used term)

[soliwit]

Variation of the baba ganoush: add some grilled slices of tomatoe and even instead of cream or mayo use olive oil, the taste of the oil also gives it an extra tang, hmmmm lovely.
I used to make this as a party-dip and everybody always had to have the recipe.

2big's variation: lovely to eat the slices together with lambchops and a raita made of sour cream, cucumber, ground koreanderseeds and cuminseeds and a hint of mint.

Now I want eggplant !!!! :yes

[tickletussler]

Yes Soliwit, you are absolutely right! I knew I forgot the crucial ingredient in all baba ganoush made in the Middle East - olive oil!

They seem to use olive oil in abundance over there, and I think Dr Atkins refers to the Greek diet which is rich in olive oil and yet they don't suffer as many dietary diseases that we do in the US and Australia.

Also, add a dash of lemon juice into baba ganoush for a tang!