Eggplant a la grecque, also known as melitzanosalata, is a classic Greek dish that combines the smoky flavor of grilled eggplant with the freshness of chopped vegetables and herbs. The dish is believed to have originated in the island of Crete and has become a staple appetizer or side dish in Greek cuisine, often served as part of a meze platter. The name "a la grecque" translates to "in the Greek style" and refers to the traditional Greek way of preparing the dish, which involves grilling the eggplant over charcoal or an open flame. The smoky flavor of the grilled eggplant is complemented by the vibrant flavors of diced tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, and herbs, such as parsley, mint, and dill.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
VEGETABLES à LA GRECQUE
I wrote that I found these perfect - the ur-preserves - and then tasted them again. And I can only affirm it as a truth. They are richer than plain vinegar pickles, which lets them be their own hors d'oeuvre, in a small chilled bowl, with olives perhaps alongside. They are deeper tasting and more eloquent than crudité. They are piquant enough to awaken the appetite without sating it. I love them, and they are very simple to make.
Provided by Tamar Adler
Categories appetizer
Time 1m
Yield About 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- In a pot, bring the liquids, spices and herbs to just below a boil.
- Cook each vegetable, separated by type, in the seasoned liquid. Start with the onion, then fennel, then cauliflower or mushrooms, then celery. Cook each until it can be pierced with a knife and tastes delicious. As each batch is done, scoop it out with a slotted spoon or a hand-held sieve. Place on a cookie sheet to cool.
- If spices or bits of herb stick to the vegetables, put what you can back in the pot and don't worry about the rest - everything will marinate together, so things will redistribute. When all the vegetables are cooked, layer them in a 1-quart Mason jar - it looks nice if you do mushrooms, then onions and so on. Pour all of the cooking liquid over them, without straining. The olive oil in the liquid will rise to the top and create a seal.
- Serve alone as an hors d'oeuvre, or as part of a salad, or on little buttered toasts. Or in an omelet. Or in a sandwich. Anywhere, really, but in a strawberry tart. Refrigerate for up to a month.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 290, UnsaturatedFat 23 grams, Carbohydrate 9 grams, Fat 27 grams, Fiber 2 grams, Protein 2 grams, SaturatedFat 4 grams, Sodium 708 milligrams, Sugar 4 grams
VEGETABLES à LA GRECQUE
Despite its name, vegetables à la grecque is a French dish. The vegetables are slightly pickled in a broth of vegetable stock and wine. Serve this as a first course or with an assortment of hors d'oeuvres.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories pickles, appetizer
Time 1h
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- In a 3- or 4-quart saucepan combine vinegar, wine, olive oil, garlic cloves, shallot, bouquet garni, coriander seeds, fennel seeds, peppercorns, kosher salt and 3 cups water. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook 15 to 30 minutes while you prepare vegetables.
- Add carrots to the broth and simmer 5 minutes. Add cauliflower, bring back to a simmer, and cook another 15 minutes, until carrots and cauliflower are tender but not mushy. Using a slotted spoon, remove vegetables to a bowl. Some of the broth and seeds can come along with them.
- Add mushrooms to broth and simmer 5 minutes. Remove to bowl with carrots and cauliflower.
- Stir broth and ladle 11/2 cups plus some of the coriander seeds into a small saucepan. Set aside.
- Add artichoke hearts to the pot in which you cooked the other vegetables and simmer 25 to 30 minutes, until tender. Transfer to bowl with other cooked vegetables. If using artichoke leaves, steam them now. When finished, discard this broth.
- Bring reserved broth in the small saucepan to a boil and cook until liquid reduces to 1/2 cup. Pour over the vegetables, add lemon juice and fleur de sel and toss. Taste and adjust seasoning. Leave at room temperature until ready to serve (for best flavor, let vegetables marinate for a few hours), or refrigerate for up to 3 days. Just before serving, garnish with herbs and, if you wish, with steamed artichoke leaves, which can be dipped into the marinade. Serve on small plates with the reduced marinade spooned on top.
EGGPLANT A LA GRECQUE
The Mediterranean flavors in this simple saute blend and make a pleasing, light vegetarian meal. I've had this recipe since I was in junior high school, and am not sure of the origin, but it's been a standby in my house for more years than I care to remember :-)
Provided by East Wind Goddess
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 30m
Yield 6 , 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Peel eggplant and cut in 1/2 inch cubes.
- In heavy skillet, heat oil and butter and saute eggplant until lightly browned. Remove.
- Saute onion and garlic until soft.
- Return eggplant and add can of tomatoes, drained.
- Add parsley, lemon juice and the spices.
- Bring to a boil, reduce heat and simmer 15 minutes.
- Sprinkle with feta cheese
- Serve over rice or wide egg noodles.
VEGETABLES A LA GRECQUE
Provided by Robert Irvine : Food Network
Categories side-dish
Time 25m
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- In a large stainless steel bowl, mix the grapeseed oil and all of the vegetables and olives together. In a glass bowl combine the lemon juice, light olive oil, chili flakes, tarragon, rice wine vinegar, and salt and pepper, to taste.
- Combine the dressing with the vegetables and refrigerate for 4 hours, allowing the flavors to meld. When ready to serve, transfer the vegetables to a serving bowl and garnish with scallions.
- Cook's Note: Blanching is a form of cooking by which dropping raw vegetables into boiling salted water for 3 to 5 minutes and then immediately transferring to a bowl of iced water. When "shocking" with ice water, it instantly stops the cooking process.
MOUSSAKA A LA GRECQUE
Provided by Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 2h
Yield 8 to 10 servings
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Peel the eggplant and slice it crosswise 1/2-inch thick. Sprinkle both sides of each slice lightly with salt, arrange in 1 layer on paper towels and let drain for 30 minutes.
- In a large skillet heat 2 tablespoons of the oil over moderate heat; add as many slices as will fit in 1 layer and brown on both sides. Repeat the procedure with 4 tablespoons of the remaining oil and the remaining eggplant. Drain the eggplant as they are cooked on paper towels.
- Add the remaining 2 tablespoons oil and the onion to the skillet and cook until the onions are brown. Add the ground meat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the meat is no longer pink. Combine the tomato paste with the wine, parsley, and cinnamon. Add this mixture to the skillet and simmer over low heat, stirring often, until all the liquid has evaporated. Add salt and pepper, to taste.
- In a sauce pan, over low heat, melt the butter, add the flour and whisk for 5 minutes. Turn up the heat to moderate and add the milk in a stream, whisking. Simmer for 5 minutes, add salt and pepper, to taste, and remove from the heat. Cool slightly and stir in the eggs, nutmeg, and ricotta.
- Grease and 11 by 16-inch pan and sprinkle the bottom lightly with bread crumbs. Arrange alternating layers of eggplant and meat sauce in the pan, sprinkling each layer with Parmesan and bread crumbs. Pour the egg sauce over the top and bake one hour in a preheat 350 degree oven, or until top is golden. Let cool twenty minutes before slicing.
VEGETABLES A LA GRECQUE
A great Greek dish that can be served cold or hot. The dish is best when fresh new vegetables are plentiful.
Provided by Mini Ravindran
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 25m
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Warm the oil in a large saucepan over moderate heat; add the fennel and onion.
- Cover and cook for 5 minutes.
- Add the garlic, coriander seeds, and tomatoes and cook, uncovered, until the vegetables are tender and any liquid has disappeared.
- In a separate pan steam the cauliflowers and green beans until just tender.
- Once the fennel and tomato mixture is ready, add the mushrooms and cook gently for 3 to 4 minutes.
- Stir in the cauliflowers and green beans, and season with salt and black pepper.
- Remove from the heat and set aside.
- Sprinkle with parsley and serve warm or cool.
VEGETABLES A LA GRECQUE
Here's a recipe, borrowed from the Greeks, that offers a marvelous way to bring out the goodness and tang of fresh vegetables. They're simmered until just crisp-tender in an herb/wine/lemon juice marinade. The result is wonderfully savory, as well as healthful. Carrots, mushrooms, green beans, leeks and zucchini, artfully arranged on a platter, make a dish both pretty and tasty. Served hot, it will complement any meal. Served cold, it's a pleasant appetizer.
Provided by JackieOhNo
Categories Vegetable
Time 1h5m
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Prepare vegetables: In colander, under cold running water, wash green beans; drain well. Cut off ends, leaving beans whole. Set aside. Wash and pare carrots; with sharp knife, cut crosswise into 4-inch pieces; then slice lengthwise into strips 1/2-inch wide.
- Trim root ends of leeks; cut off tops, leaving 1 to 3 inches of green stem; discard tops. With sharp knife, cut in half lengthwise. Wash under cold running water to remove any sand. Wipe mushrooms with damp paper towels; trim the stem ends; cut in half lengthwise.
- Wash zucchini; trim ends; cut into 3-inch pieces; then slice into strips 1/2-inch wide.
- Prepare cooking liquid: In large 10-inch skillet, combine water, wine, lemon juice, olive oil, green onion, salt, peppercorns, thyme and parsley sprigs. Over medium heat, bring to boiling. Add the leeks; simmer, covered, until tender - about 5 minutes. With slotted spoon, remove leeks to shallow dish. Return liquid to boiling. Add carrots; simmer, covered, 10 minutes or until tender. With slotted spoon, remove to the shallow dish. Return liquid to boiling.
- Add green beans; simmer, covered, 7 minutes, or until tender. With slotted spoon, remove beans to shallow dish. Return liquid to boiling. Add zucchini; simmer, covered, 5 minutes, or until tender. With slotted spoon, remove to the shallow dish. Return liquid to boiling.
- Add mushrooms; simmer, covered, 5 minutes, or until tender. With slotted spoon, remove to dish. Arrange vegetables in serving dish.
- Reduce liquid to 2/3 cup; spoon over vegetables. Sprinkle with parsley. Serve hot as side dish or chilled as appetizer.
Tips for Making Eggplant a la Grecque
- Choose firm, ripe eggplants that are free of blemishes. - Cut the eggplants into 1-inch cubes and sprinkle them with salt. Let them rest for 30 minutes to draw out the bitter juices. - Rinse the eggplants thoroughly and pat them dry. - You can fry or bake the eggplants. If you are frying them, use a deep fryer or a large skillet with plenty of oil. If you are baking them, preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. - Fry or bake the eggplants until they are golden brown and tender. - Drain the eggplants on paper towels to remove excess oil. - In a large bowl, combine the eggplants, tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, garlic, parsley, dill, oregano, salt, and pepper. - Drizzle the mixture with olive oil and lemon juice. - Toss to coat evenly. - Serve the eggplant a la Grecque immediately or chill it for later. ###Conclusion
Eggplant a la Grecque is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, side dish, or main course. It is also a great way to use up leftover eggplant. With its vibrant colors and refreshing flavors, this dish is sure to be a hit at your next gathering. The recipe is easy to follow and can be tailored to your own preferences. For example, you can add more or less garlic, depending on your taste. You can also add other vegetables, such as bell peppers or zucchini. If you are looking for a vegan version of this dish, you can simply omit the feta cheese. No matter how you choose to make it, eggplant a la Grecque is a delicious and healthy dish that is sure to please everyone at your table.
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