Another classic dish which can be found under different names across mediterranean. Some versions includes tahini while excluding tomatoes and other colourful ingredients. Some gives the priority to onion and garlic, and some consists only aubergines, olive oil and salt. Even the most primitive version is delicious. The recipe you will find below is how we make it in our family. For four persons:
3 medium aubergines
1 medium onion (sliced in rounds, thinly)
3-4 green peppers
1-2 cloves garlic (mashed)
2 ripe tomatoes (peeled and diced)
half a bunch of parsley (chopped)
extra virgin olive oil
salt, freshly ground blackpepper
1-2 tbsp wine vinegar
1 tbsp lemon juice
The amount of the ingredients are subject to change according to your preferences. You can omit garlic or the vinegar. But I should say that these are giving the real taste. Start buy washing and drying all the vegetables. If you have an outdoor grill, or a stove-top one, that would be best for the smoked flavour. In case you do not have either one, just lay parchment paper on a baking sheet and cook the vegetables under broiler, starting with the aubergines. You can use a preheated oven at 200 C but be careful with peppers, if they get charred too deeply, it will be pretty difficult to peel them. Place grilled vegetables in a container with a tight lid, while they are still hot. Wait 10 minutes. This will make it much easier to peel them. Peel aubergines or cut them lenghtwise and scoop out the flesh. Immediately drizzle with lemon juice to prevent browning. Mash them well with a fork. Peel peppers and slice them thinly on a cutting board. Add garlic, parsley and tomatoes. Drizzle with vinegar, sprinkle with salt and blackpepper. Generously drizzle with extra virgin olive oil. Serve warm or cold with a crusty bread. Keep leftovers in the fridge, in tightly closed containers. Enjoy!
Portobello Mushroom Salad:
Portobellos are cooking faster than the other varieties and they are ideal for a grilled salad. You can either grill them whole and use in sandwiches or slice them after grilling and serve with meat dishes as garnish.
400grs portobello mushrooms
fresh or dried herbs, such as oregano and thyme
balsamic vinegar
1 tbsp lemon juice
extra virgin olive oil
salt, freshly ground blackpepper
Preheat your oven to 200-210 C. Quickly wash mushrooms under running water and pat dry. Using a mellonballer or a coffee spoon, scoop out the black flesh under their caps. This will help them to have a better colour. Place mushrooms upside down on a lightly greased cookie sheet. Sprinkle with a little salt and place herbs on their caps. Cook in the oven for about 30 mins or until soft. Remove the tray from the oven and transfer mushrooms on a cutting board. Cut them lenghtwise in 0.5 cm slices. Combine mushroom slices with the rest of the ingredients and check the taste. Balsamic vinegar especially goes well with this salad. Serve warm with meat or fish, or on its own. Enjoy!
Hhhmmm, that sounds so good and refreshing for this warm summer evening. Will have to try it. BTW, I am so happy to see you back on regular blogging. Thanks also for your kind writing, happily read it and will answer as soon as possible. Take care...
I followed you from Angelika's site. I really like the looks of these two salads. The heat makes them doubly appealing. I look forward to trying them. I like the looks of your blog and shall return.
Hhhmmm, that sounds so good and refreshing for this warm summer evening. Will have to try it. BTW, I am so happy to see you back on regular blogging. Thanks also for your kind writing, happily read it and will answer as soon as possible. Take care...
Thank you very much Angelika:-) I hope you will like the taste also and enjoy these dishes in your wonderful garden. Greetings from me&Sakis
I followed you from Angelika's site. I really like the looks of these two salads. The heat makes them doubly appealing. I look forward to trying them.
I like the looks of your blog and shall return.
Thank you very much Tanna and of course pleased to meet you:-) It is a great way of making new friends all over the world , isn't it? Greetings
Ι'm defenetly going to try the "Aubergine Salad" ! Seems delicious! Also, you habe a very nice blog! :-)