Moroccan Eggplant Recipes

MOROCCAN CHICKPEA AND EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) STEW

Steps:

• Cut off the ends of the eggplant, than chop into ¾" cubes. I salted an eggplant once just for fun, but with fresh eggplant just don't find it necessary!
• Chop the onion roughly.
• Mince the garlic.
• Coat a large deep-sided frypan with olive oil. and heat over a medium heat.
• Add the minced garlic, onion, chili powder, cumin and cinnamon. Stir well to coat evenly. Cook until the onions have softened (approx. 4-5 minutes).
• Add the eggplant, tomatoes and chickpeas, along with the stock. Simmer over medium-low heat, covered, for fifteen-twenty minutes (until the eggplant is tender).
• Uncover and stir. If the stew looks very soupy, let the liquid bubble away for a few more minutes.
• Salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve over rice / pasta / cous cous / even toast would be yummy.
• The qty of spice listed make it moderately hot - good for a taste explosion for someone not used to spices. I normally double them as I like things really spicy!

EGGPLANT ZAALOUK

Steps:

• Preheat the oven broiler.
• Cut eggplants in half and brush with olive oil, then broil until golden brown, about 15 minutes.
• Dice the tomatoes and sauté on high heat in olive oil. Add minced garlic, cumin and paprika.
• Dice the eggplants (with or without the skin) and finely chop the parsley, then add to the tomatoes.
• Keep stirring and cook until eggplant is tender for about 15 to 20 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Drizzle olive oil and add a pinch of chili powder.

MOROCCAN EGGPLANT DIP

Steps:

• Mix tomato sauce, red wine vinegar, cumin, salt, sugar, and cayenne together in a small bowl.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add garlic; cook and stir until golden, about 2 minutes. Add eggplant and red bell pepper; pour in tomato sauce mixture. Simmer, covered, until eggplant and red bell pepper soften, about 20 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool, about 10 minutes.
• Transfer eggplant mixture to a food processor; pulse until it reaches the desired consistency. Sprinkle cilantro over dip.

MOROCCAN FRIED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Wash the eggplants and cut off the ends.
• Pare the skin off of the eggplants in strips to leave a striped effect.
• Cut each eggplant into 1/4" slices and set aside.
• In a mixing bowl, blend the beaten eggs with the spices. Add the eggplant and mix well so the eggplant slices are coated.
• In a large frying pan, pour enough oil to coat the bottom.
• Heat the oil for several minutes over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, cook the eggplant in batches, turning over several times, until golden brown.
• Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.
• Serve warm or at room temperature.

MOROCCAN ZAALOUK RECIPE

Steps:

• Trim the stems from the eggplants and cut them in half lengthwise. Arrange the eggplant halves skin side up on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil and place under the broiler as close to the flame or heating element as possible.
• Roast the eggplants for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until the skins are charred and puckered with sections that crumble or crack like burnt paper when pressed. The flesh will be very soft.
• While the eggplant is roasting, peel, seed, and chop the tomatoes.
• Transfer the chopped tomatoes to a skillet along with the olive oil, garlic, parsley, cilantro, and spices. The optional cayenne and whole chili peppers can be added at this time as well.
• Cook the tomato mixture over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the tomatoes break down and a rich tomato sauce forms. This usually takes 10 to 20 minutes, depending on how soft the tomatoes were and how many you used.
• When the eggplants are roasted, remove them from the oven. When cool enough to handle, use a large spoon to scoop the flesh from the skin. Discard the skin.
• Add the eggplant flesh to the tomato mixture, stirring to combine. Use the back of a spoon or a fork to mash any firm bits of eggplant. If you want to add the optional lemon juice or a very small wedge of lemon, you can do so at this time.
• Cook the zaalouk for five to ten minutes to allow the flavors to blend, or longer if you want to reduce the salad to a drier, pastier consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning then remove from the heat.
• Peel, seed, and chop the tomatoes. Place them in a large deep skillet or large pot along with the olive oil, spices, garlic, and herbs. Stir to combine.
• Trim the stems from the eggplants and peel them. Some strips of skin can be left intact if you like a colorful zaalouk.Finely chop the peeled eggplants and add them to the skillet or pot along with 1/4 to 1/3 cup of water. If your pan is quite full, don't worry about stirring the eggplant into the tomato mixture just yet.
• Cover and cook the tomato mixture and eggplants over medium heat for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until the chopped eggplant has begun to soften and reduce in volume.
• Stir to combine all the ingredients well. Add the optional chili peppers or cayenne, if using, and a little more water if you found that the ingredients were sticking to the bottom of the pan.
• Cover and continue cooking for another 15 to 20 minutes, or until the eggplant and tomatoes are soft enough to mash.
• At this point, you can add the optional lemon juice or lemon wedge if using.Continue cooking the zaalouk uncovered to reduce the liquids, scraping the bottom of the pan and stirring frequently. Adjust the heat if necessary to avoid burning the zaalouk.If you want a puree-like consistency, mash the eggplants and tomatoes while the liquids reduce. If you prefer a chunky texture, stir without mashing.
• When the zaalouk has reduced to a consistency you like, taste and adjust seasoning then remove from the heat.
• Zaalouk can be served warm, cold, or at room temperature. Garnish as desired with fresh parsley or cilantro and/or a drizzle of good olive oil.
• Zaalouk will keep for several days in the fridge or two to three months in the freezer.If freezing, allow the zaalouk to thaw before reheating in a pan. Reduce any excess liquids and adjust the seasoning if needed.

MOROCCAN ZAALOUK (COOKED EGGPLANT AND TOMATO SALAD)

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Combine eggplant, tomatoes, garlic, cilantro, parsley, paprika, cumin, salt, oil, water, and cayenne in a large deep skillet or pot. Cover and simmer over medium to medium-high heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• With a spoon or potato masher, crush and blend tomatoes and eggplant.
• Add lemon wedge to the pot, if using. Continue simmering mixture, uncovered, for 10 minutes. The lemon will give a tangy nuance but is not necessary.
• The zaalouk is ready when liquids are reduced and mixture can be stirred into a heap in the center of the pan.
• Drizzle olive oil-or chile oil if you like spicy food. Serve with sliced crusty bread.