Roasted Eggplant (Aubergine) Spread

Vino Girl's Note:

This comes from Coastal Living, and the recipe is credited to Louis Pappas Market Cafe in Tampa. I haven't been to this cafe, but the Pappas family is well-known in Florida for their wonderful Greek food.

• Total Time: 1 hrs 25 mins
• Prep Time: 1 hrs
• Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients:

Yield: 2 cups

• 3 medium eggplants, peeled and sliced thinly (1/8-inch)
• 2 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 10 garlic cloves, peeled
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• roasted bell pepper, slices (optional)
• parmesan cheese (optional)

Directions:

1. Sprinkle eggplant slices with 2 1/2 tsp salt and let stand for 30 minutes.
2. Preheat oven to 450°F Rinse eggplant and place on oiled baking sheets; add garlic.
3. Bake 25 minutes or until the eggplant edges are crispy and the garlic us tender.
4. Cool slightly so it can be handled; chop eggplant and garlic.
5. Combine eggplant mixture, lemon juice, olive oil, 1/4 tsp salt, and crushed red pepper in a large bowl.
6. Spoon onto crostini (or crackers, pita chips, etc) and garnish as desired.

Reviews

[Caroline Cooks]

Truly outstanding! I made it into a spread to use with sandwiches. roasted some red pepper long with the eggplant, too. Blitz all in the Cuisinart, refrigerated to meld flavors and Voila...delicious spread on a hearty bun with salami and more of the red pepper. Made for the Mediterranean event in Cooking Photos.

[Chef Kate]

I too made this as a recipe of the month--and I am so glad I did. I increased the garlic slightly and added extra lemon juice (by accident, but I wasn't sorry) and I skipped the parmesan which seemed unnecessary. Also I grilled the eggplant and added the salt to the garlic which I made into a paste and then added to the grilled eggplant. It seems like a lot of changes, but I think I followed the spirit of the recipe and it was quite wonderful.

[evelyn/athens]

Really good. Made 1/2 a batch as was had a lot of little 'meze' and didn't want too many leftovers. The instructions are right on. Didn't use the parmesan as it's not traditional to add cheese to melitzanosalata here in Greece. Good accompaniment to our bbq'd pork chop dinner.