Best 3 Eggplant Tapenade Recipes

SPICY AUBERGINE (EGGPLANT) AND RED PEPPER TAPENADE - DIP

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200°C or 400°F.
• Take a sturdy oven proof tin or dish and add the aubergines, red peppers, garlic cloves, tomatoes, cumin, coriander, chili powder and the olive oil.
• Mix thoroughly, so everything has a light coating of oil.
• Roast in the oven on the top shelf for 30 to 45 minutes, or until charred and tinged brown on the edges and soft to the touch.
• Take out and leave to cool slightly.
• Add the fresh coriander (cilantro), harissa paste if using and sun-dried tomatoes. Season well with salt & pepper.
• Tip all the mixture into a large bowl and blend it all together with a hand mixer/blender.
• Do NOT over mix - it should be smooth but not pureed!
• Serve in an attractive bowl and dribble the remaining olive oil over the top, garnish with some fresh coriander (cilantro) or chopped flat leaf parsley. You can also add an olive or two.
• Store in a container in the fridge with olive oil on the top for up to 2 weeks.

GRILLED ZUCCHINI AND EGGPLANT PIZZA WITH TAPENADE AND FONTINA

Steps:

• For dough:
• Stir 1 1/4 cups warm water, yeast, and sugar in large bowl to blend. Let stand until yeast dissolves, about 10 minutes. Whisk in 1 cup flour; let stand in warm draft-free area until bubbling, about 30 minutes.
• Stir oil and salt, then 2 cups flour into yeast mixture. Knead dough in bowl until almost smooth and beginning to pull away from sides, adding 1/4 cup more flour to prevent sticking. Turn dough out onto floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, adding more flour by tablespoonfuls as needed (dough should be slightly sticky), about 7 minutes. Place dough in lightly oiled large bowl; cover with plastic wrap. Let dough rise in warm draft-free area until doubled in volume, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Meanwhile, for topping:
• Prepare barbecue (medium heat). Arrange zucchini and eggplant slices on 2 large baking sheets. Brush vegetables with oil; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill until tender and golden brown, about 4 minutes per side. Transfer to platter.
• If using charcoal barbecue, remove grate and arrange coals so that 1 side of grill is hot and 1 side is cooler (for gas barbecue, adjust burners accordingly).
• Sprinkle 3 baking sheets with flour. Punch down dough. Divide dough into 3 equal pieces; roll out each piece on floured surface to 12x8-inch oval. Transfer to prepared baking sheets. Brush dough tops with oil. Place ovals, oiled side down, on hot side of grill rack and grill until bottoms are firm (watch closely to avoid burning), about 3 minutes. Turn crusts over; grill until dough is set, about 2 minutes. Transfer to baking sheets, grill mark side up.
• Spread 1/4 cup tapenade over each pizza; arrange grilled zucchini and eggplant slices over. Sprinkle each with 1 tablespoon marjoram and 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper. Drizzle lightly with oil. Sprinkle each with 1/2 cup Fontina and 1/3 cup Pecorino Romano. Return pizzas to cooler side of grill. Cover and grill until cheese melts, about 5 minutes. Sprinkle pizzas with parsley; slice and serve.
• *A thick paste or spread made from brine-cured olives, capers, anchovies, and seasonings; available at some supermarkets, specialty foods stores, and Italian markets.

EGGPLANT TAPENADE

Steps:

• Scoop out eggplant while hot and place in food processor fitted with blade. Puree with curry powder until smooth and drizzle in extra virgin olive oil and season lightly. While blending, add garlic, honey and vinegar. Transfer to a bowl and fold in scallions and olives. Check for balance of flavors and season with salt and pepper, if necessary.