Eggplant Caviar

Indulge in the luxurious flavors of this exquisite Eggplant Caviar. A velvety smooth blend of roasted eggplant, savory anchovies, tangy capers, and aromatic garlic, perfect for spreading on toast or pita wedges.

Ingredients

For Eggplant Caviar
1	large eggplant (about 1 ½ pounds), roasted and peeled
5	anchovy fillets (or 1 tablespoon anchovy paste), soaked and smashed
3	garlic cloves, finely minced
1	large shallot, minced
1 1⁄2	tablespoons capers, rinsed, drained, and chopped
1⁄2	teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
4	tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
1	teaspoon fresh lemon juice (or to taste)
	salt to taste
	chopped parsley, for garnish
	toast points or toasted pita bread wedges
	chopped hard-cooked egg
	chopped red onion
	capers
	Greek yogurt

Instructions

• Prepare Eggplant Caviar

  1. Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C). Puncture the eggplant all around with a sharp knife. Place on a baking sheet or shallow baking dish and bake for about 1 1/2 hours until it is very soft.
  2. While the eggplant is baking, soak anchovy fillets in cold water for about 10 minutes. Pat dry and smash with a fork. Place the anchovy in a large bowl; add garlic, shallot, capers, and pepper. Add a tablespoon of olive oil and mix well. Set aside.
  3. Once the eggplant is done, allow it to rest until it is cool enough to handle. Cut it open and scoop out the pulp into a large strainer. Scrape the inside of the skin with a spoon to remove all the pulp. Press the pulp into the strainer to remove as much moisture as possible. Let it drain for about 10 minutes, then transfer to a cutting board and chop finely.
  4. Place the chopped eggplant in the bowl with the other ingredients and mix well. Add the remaining 3 tablespoons of olive oil and mix until smooth. Add lemon juice to taste and salt to taste. Spoon the mixture into a serving bowl and sprinkle with chopped parsley.
  5. Serve the Eggplant Caviar in a small serving bowl alongside chopped hard-cooked egg, red onion, capers, and Greek yogurt. Enjoy with toast points or toasted pita bread wedges.

Jul 29, 2024