Eggplant Tapenade Recipes

EGGPLANT TAPENADE

Steps:

• 1. (NOTE: If you don't have or can't find Za'atar, combine 1 tablespoon each oregano, sumac, cumin, and sesame seeds, and 1 teaspoon each Kosher salt and black pepper. Makes about 1/4 cup and can be stored for later uses.)
• 2. Wash off the eggplants, cut off the top and place on a large cookie sheet. Prick a few holes in each eggplant with a fork.
• 3. Bake in a pre-heated 375 deg oven for 60 minutes or until the skin has shriveled and a long fork will pierce the eggplant easily. Remove for the oven and let cool about 15 minutes before handling.
• 4. While the eggplant is baking and cooling, cut up the onions, and peppers and chop or mince the garlic set aside.
• 5. When cool enough to handle, remove the skin from the eggplant and discard. Put the meat of the eggplant and the seeds in a colander and squeeze out some of the liquid, but don't press it all. Put in a large mixing bowl.
• 6. Using a potato masher, mash the eggplant to the consistency that you prefer. I like to keep it somewhat chunky so it's not just a puree. This could also be done in a food processor. Add the peppers, onions, garlic and the salt, pepper, Za'atar and lemon zest and combine thoroughly. Slowly add the olive oil, a little at a time, to coat all of the tapenade, but not so it's very oily. Sprinkle on the paprika. Cover and refrigerate. This can be done the day before. It's almost better that way.
• 7. When you're ready to serve it, slice the baguettes on a bias into about 1/4" thick slices and top each slice with some of the tapenade and serve. As an option, you can leave it in a serving bowl, spread the sliced baguette on a serving plate and let everyone take their own. Slices of pita bread would work just as well. For smaller groups, reduce the measurements accordingly. Enjoy.

OLIVE & EGGPLANT TAPENADE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F. Coat eggplant with 1 teaspoons olive oil. Place eggplant on a baking sheet and roast it 20 minutes or until skin is blistered and brown. Set aside and peel when cool enough to handle.
• Place eggplant, olives, anchovies, capers and garlic in a food processor and blend. Once mixture is pureed, drizzle in remaining olive oil. Process until it resembles a rough paste. Serve at room temperature with crackers, pita bread or crostini.

EGGPLANT TAPENADE

Steps:

• Scoop out eggplant while hot and place in food processor fitted with blade. Puree with curry powder until smooth and drizzle in extra virgin olive oil and season lightly. While blending, add garlic, honey and vinegar. Transfer to a bowl and fold in scallions and olives. Check for balance of flavors and season with salt and pepper, if necessary.

ROASTED EGGPLANT CAPONATA

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Line a sheet pan with aluminum foil.
• Place the whole eggplant on the pan, prick with a fork in several places, and rub with olive oil. Roast for 45 to 50 minutes, until the eggplant is very soft when pierced with a knife. Set aside to cool. Halve the eggplant, peel, and discard the skin. Place the eggplant, peppers, and olives in the bowl of a food processor fitted with the steel blade and pulse until coarsely chopped. Pour into a mixing bowl.
• Meanwhile, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil in a medium saute pan. Add the onion and red pepper flakes and cook over medium heat for 5 minutes, until the onion is lightly browned. Add the garlic, cook for 1 minute, and add to the eggplant mixture. Add the parsley, pine nuts, lemon juice, capers, tomato paste, vinegar, salt, and pepper and mix. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for a few hours to allow the flavors to develop. Taste for seasonings and serve at room temperature with toasted pita triangles.

EGGPLANT CAVIAR WITH TAPENADE

Steps:

• To make Tapenade: mix together all the ingredients and set aside.
• To make caviar: Prick the eggplant with a fork several times.
• Put eggplant on a baking sheet.
• Bake at 450° for 20 minutes or until skin starts to darken and pulp feels soft.
• Let eggplant cool.
• Peel the eggplant and chop into coarse chunks.
• In a large bowl, mix together the chopped eggplant and the next 9 ingredients.
• Adjust seasoning to taste.
• Serve the caviar with tapenade and toasted french bread.