Late Summer Freekeh With Soy Beans Peppers And Eggplant Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
• Pour the olive oil into a baking sheet and top with a single layer of eggplant slices. Turn to coat both sides with the oil and sprinkle liberally with salt. Place in the center of the oven and roast until completely tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Remove and arrange in a single layer on a serving platter.
• Place the peppers directly on the burners of a gas range or grill and char on all sides, rotating with a pair of tongs. Remove from the heat and place them in the refrigerator to cool, 10 minutes. Use a paper towel to wipe off the charred skin. Remove the seeds and slice the pepper flesh into thin strips. Arrange over the top of the eggplant.
• Whisk together the soy, ginger, sesame oil, vinegar and garlic in a medium bowl. Taste for seasoning. Sprinkle the vinaigrette over the eggplant and peppers and top with the sesame seeds.

Steps:

• Drain and rinse freekeh, cook with ample water for 10/12 minutes until al dente and not soggy. Drain and place in large bowl with a table spoon of olive oil. Drain and rinse soybeans and cook for 20/30 minutes. Drain and add to freekeh. In the mean time, wash and dice the eggplant. Cook in pan with some olive oil until just soft. Can add some pepper to taste. Wash and dice peppers and cook separately in the same pan. Add eggplant and peppers to the freekeh, add one tablespoon of olive oil. Wash the cherry tomatoes and cut them in half, add them to freekeh mixture. Also add the raisins, after draining the water. At this point, make a pesto of the basil/parsley and pine nuts/almonds in a food processor or with pestle and mortar, adding some olive oil and lemon juice. Alternatively simply chop the basil or parsley and add to the mixture, and toast the pine nuts and almonds and add them too. Mix all ingredients and possibly add a couple of table spoons of olive oil to taste. Half a table spoon of sherry vinegar is a good finishing touch, but it is not essential. Another nice touch involves adding some pitted kalamata olives sliced in half. Let the dish stand for at least 2/3 hours at room temperature before serving. Alternatively, refrigerate overnight. Keeps a good week in the refrigerator in an airtight container.