This dish combines the very best of Middle Eastern flavours – silky eggplant, earthy olive oil, pungent garlic and sweet balsamic vinegar. Sure to be the star of any appetizer platter, these balsamic marinated eggplant ribbons can be set out with a spread of olives, feta cheese and sun-dried tomatoes to create fantastic hors d’oeuvres. By grilling the eggplant slices on a panini press (or other counter-top grill), the olive oil is added cold as part of the marinade; this prevents prolonged exposure to heat and unnecessary oxidation.
Quick facts: This dish is choc-full of anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory garlic, as well as olive-oil, a great source of mono-unsaturated fatty acids. What’s more, reducing the balsamic vinegar creates a sweeter, more concentrated marinade for a more complex dish.
Directions
- Place eggplant slices on a pre-heated panini press or counter-top grill. Cook for about 5 minutes, or until the slices are soft with golden brown grill marks.
- While the eggplant is grilling, place balsamic vinegar in a small saucepan and simmer on medium heat until vinegar has reduced by about half and has darkened and thickened in consistency.
- Mix together olive oil, garlic, salt and pepper in a glass container – place grilled eggplant directly into olive oil mixture once it is ready.
- Lastly, add the reduced balsamic into the eggplant and olive oil mixture.
- Use a fork to combine all of the ingredients, breaking apart the eggplant slices slightly while stirring.
- Cover the container with a tight-fitting lid or plastic wrap and chill in the fridge for several hours, or overnight.
Simple to make and bursting with Mediterranean flavours, balsamic marinated eggplant is sophreakin’ good!
Ingredients
- 2 medium sized eggplants, washed and cut into 1/4 inch thick slices
- 1/4 cup cold pressed extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
- 4-5 garlic cloves, pressed
- pinch of good quality salt (such as Himalayan pink salt)
- freshly ground black pepper
