Poor Man's Caviar
"This recipe, which originates from the Balkans, is posted by request. It is called by this name because the eggplant seeds bear a resemblance to caviar! Although it tastes nothing at all like caviar, we like it very much."
- Ready In:
- 1hr 5mins
- Ingredients:
- 7
- Yields:
-
2 cups
ingredients
- 2 large eggplants
- olive oil
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 tomatoes, peeled and finely chopped
- 1 small green bell pepper, finely chopped
- salt & freshly ground black pepper
- 4 teaspoons lemon juice
directions
- For an authentic smoky flavor, roast each unpeeled eggplant by laying it directly over a low, open, gas flame, and turn every minute with a pair of tongs until the skin is completely charred and the eggplant is very soft and limp (about 20 to 30 minutes).
- Alternatively, prick the eggplants all over and roast on a baking tray in the middle of a preheated 400 degree Farhenheit oven, for 45 minutes, or until until the insides are very soft and the outsides are dry and almost crisp.
- Let the eggplants cool briefly, then peel (the skin should come off easily) or scrape out the flesh.
- Puree eggplant pulp in a blender.
- Heat a little olive oil in a fry pan or skillet, and fry the onion until it becomes pink-brown.
- Add the tomato, green bell pepper and salt and pepper, and cook over low to moderate heat for several minutes until soft (also add 1 to 2 cloves garlic, chopped, at this stage if desired).
- Rub as much of this mixture, as possible, through a sieve and mix with the eggplant puree.
- Check the seasonings and stir in the lemon juice, adding a teaspoon more at a time, to taste, if desired.
- The consistency should be that of thick mayonnaise.
- Garnish with freshly chopped parsley and serve, as an appetiser, with chunks of Turkish bread.
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Reviews
-
This is a different but quite tasty dish! I took the easy route by oven roasting the eggplant & using a hand blender instead of a sieve. I used fresh veggies from our garden, added a clove of garlic (also from our garden) and served with Greek style pita. Thanx Daydream!
RECIPE SUBMITTED BY
Daydream
Australia
<p>I was raised in a family that loves to travel, meet people from other countries, and taste new foods. We are quite 'international' - my brother's wife is Indian, my sister's husband is Swiss and my son's wife is of Swedish and Croatian origin. My little dogs are German - miniature Dachshunds.</p>
8725212"