This is my contribution to plant power cooking challenge.
I chose from the list of six items, to use eggplant(aubergine)and tomatoes. When I see those items together I think automatically of the Mediterranean.
I think back to when I was introduced to a Mediterranean restaurant that was open really late until 4 a.m. When I was in a band, the boys went there on our way back from Toronto. The first time I was annoyed that we had to stop to eat. When I ate the food I was mesmerized with the taste of everything. I will describe it as lemony and garlicky.
Over the years my friends and I would go there after a night out. At that time I ate meat. I also tried other things.
One appetizer that I loved was eggplant tomato dip. The restaurant called it a salad. I didn't see any resemblance to a salad in this dish that came with pita bread.
I don't know what the ingredients were but I did my best to replicate. It was pretty close.
I have a broken element in my oven but the grill still works so I stuck the eggplant under the broiler.
After it's roasted the moisture comes out and becomes more meaty. I also remove the skin.
I used fresh tomatoes instead of canned because there seem to be plenty in stores now for a good price. Probably from the U.S. We have good tomatoes a little later.
Eggplant tomato dip
1 large eggplant diced
3 or 4 tomatoes (roma are the best but I used regular)
1 onion diced
1 shallot minced
4 cloves garlic minced
2 tablespoons tomato paste
Juice of 1 lemon
1/2 cup chopped coriander
1/2 cup flat leaf parsley
1 teaspoon fresh thyme
Spices and seasonings
1 teaspoon cumin seeds
1 teaspoon coriander seeds
1 teaspoon red chili powder
1 teaspoon paprika
1 tablespoon allspice
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1 teaspoon sumac
1 teaspoon black pepper
1 teaspoon oregano
Salt to taste
I like to dry toast the whole spices until they get aromatic and start crackling.
I now love using a mortar and pestle to grind it. My machinery is not the best.
I first saute the onions garlic and shallots until they are quite caramelized, then I add all of the spices and continue frying.
After they are golden I add the eggplant.
Then the tomatoes.
Then the herbs and tomato paste.
The dish that I had at the restaurant was thick and pasty. It was much like a spread. To get this consistency I simmered until most of the liquid was out.
At the restaurant they didn't serve this with tahini sauce but I decided to take it up a notch. I made tahini sauce with sesame paste, lemon juice garlic and olive oil.
I made pita bread in a pan from a basic bread dough. I won't bore you with the details as this is about the listed ingredients.
This is the kind of thing I want to have when I am sitting and pecking on snacks, by the Mediterranean sea in my dreams which will probably not happen in this lifetime. Dreams are good though.
design by: @KidSisters
Delicious, fragrant and fingerlicking good. I love eggplants so much. I had them chargrilled on top of my laksa last night - amazing creamy smokey goodness!
It's the best smoked for sure and quite versatile. Thank you @riverflows.
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Looks delicious.
Tks for sharing. Going to try it.
Thank you it is very delicious on nice bread or pasta.
Wow! Very nice food photos! Now I must get some good! Hungry! 🙀😂😂
Thank you I wish I could have what you are eating!
Hahaha. Omelette! LoL
Oh😕
Great post! Well done 👍🏻
Last 2 days I also prepared a dish with steamed eggplants and tomatoes with tofu. It taste good.
Your recipe must be tasty one! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you @cherryng! The two things were made for each other haha.😊
Your dish is really beautiful and yummy! I love eggplant😋
Thank you my friend. We have a lot of eggplant here.
This is really nice. It's like eggplant salsa.
I know a lot of people who don't like eggplant but such versions of it make it a great vegetable. One must know the best way to enjoy it. Eggplant salsa is more of a dip, we make an Indian version of it with onion, garlic, tomatoes, mashed egg plant and indian spices. It is eaten as a dish and is also very tasty. Must try!
Thank you I would like to try your version. Sounds better.
It looks so good and it is hard to find a good eggplants here. Most of the the eggplants here are a little bitter.
It's true sometimes it's bitter. This was not though. Have a good day!
What a beautiful spread! If I was in the far north, I'd come by to have a dip. Well, I don't know how primo that restaurant's version of this dish was, but I dare say yours is more delicious without needing to taste or see either one. Thanks for sharing this with us.
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I would love to share. I have too much leftover!
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Wow @carolynstahl, this dip sounds sooo fragrant and totally irresistible, I'd be hovering over it till there's nothing left in the bowl! Your food really is to die for!
Thank you and likewise my friend!