Balkan Eggplant And Chile Purée Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 450 degrees. Line a baking sheet with foil or parchment and oil lightly with olive oil. Cut the eggplants in half lengthwise, then with the point of a knife score them down to the skin, but not through it. Place cut side down on the oiled baking sheet, and bake for 30 minutes, until thoroughly softened and beginning to collapse. Remove from the oven and place, cut side down, in a colander in the sink. Leave to drain and cool for 30 minutes.
• Roast the chiles over a burner flame, or under the broiler, until charred. Transfer to a bowl, cover tightly and allow to cool. Put on plastic gloves and peel and seed the chiles.
• Peel the eggplant and purée in a food processor fitted with the steel blade. Add the chiles to the food processor, along with the tomato paste and salt to taste. Process until everything is blended together.
• Place the garlic and 1/4 teaspoon salt in a mortar and pestle and mash until you have a smooth purée.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat in a medium-size nonstick skillet and add the garlic. Cook for about 30 seconds, then stir in the paprika. Cook, stirring, for about 30 seconds, then stir in the eggplant purée. Bring to a simmer and cook stirring, until the purée is quite thick. Stir in the remaining olive oil, taste and adjust salt.
• Remove from the heat, cool and transfer to a jar. Place a thin film of olive oil over the top if storing.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425°F. Lightly score eggplant flesh with the tip of a knife. Place skin side down on a rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with 1 Tbsp. oil; season with salt. Toss mushrooms and head of garlic with 1 Tbsp. oil on another rimmed baking sheet; season with salt. Cover tightly with foil. Roast vegetables on both sheets until very tender, 30-35 minutes. Let cool.
• Scoop eggplant flesh from skin; discard skin. Chop eggplant and mushrooms until a coarse purée forms. Squeeze garlic cloves from skins; chop until mashed. Transfer both purées to a small bowl and mix in tomato sauce, chile paste, chopped fresh garlic, and remaining 1/2 cup oil; season with salt.
• Serve with bread for dipping.
• Sauce can be made 2 weeks ahead. Cover and chill.

Steps:

• Cut eggplant into 3/4-inch-thick slices and sprinkle both sides with salt. Arrange eggplant in a large colander set over a bowl and let stand 30 minutes to drain.
• Preheat broiler.
• Rinse eggplant slices and pat dry with paper towels. Broil eggplant on a rack of a broiler pan about 4 inches from heat until deep golden, about 6 minutes on each side. When eggplant is cool enough to handle, peel off skins, scraping all flesh from skins and discarding them.
• In a food processor pulse eggplant with remaining ingredients until just puréed and season with salt and pepper. Purée may be made 3 days ahead and chilled, covered.

Steps:

• Scoop out flesh of roasted eggplant into a medium sized mixing bowl.
• Add the garlic, lemon, salt, and olive oil. Mash together with a fork until loose puree forms.
• Garnish with parsley, sumac, and more olive oil.
• Enjoy!