Description
Barefoot Contessa’s roasted eggplant dip brings Mediterranean magic to appetizer tables with smoky, rich flavors. Silky eggplant mingles with garlic, tahini, and lemon, creating a creamy spread perfect for entertaining friends or enjoying as a quick, elegant snack.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables:
- 1 medium aubergine, peeled
- 2 red bell peppers, deseeded
- 1 red onion, peeled
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 tablespoon (15 ml) tomato purée
- 1 ½ teaspoons (7.5 ml) kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon (2.5 ml) freshly ground black pepper
Oils:
- 3 tablespoons (45 ml) extra virgin olive oil
Instructions
- Meticulously arrange the oven rack in the center and preheat to 200°C (fan 180°C) / 400°F / Gas Mark 6, ensuring optimal roasting temperature.
- Prepare the vegetables by carefully dicing aubergine, peppers, and onion into uniform 2.5 centimeters (1-inch) cubes to promote even cooking and consistent texture.
- Create a flavor base by combining chopped vegetables in a spacious mixing bowl, thoroughly coating with minced garlic, high-quality extra virgin olive oil, kosher salt, and freshly ground black pepper.
- Transfer the seasoned vegetable mixture onto a large rimmed baking sheet, spreading ingredients in a single layer to maximize caramelization and prevent steaming.
- Roast the vegetables in the preheated oven for approximately 45 minutes, gently rotating the baking sheet halfway through to ensure uniform golden-brown coloration and tender consistency.
- Allow the roasted vegetables to cool for 5-7 minutes, releasing residual steam and intensifying concentrated flavors.
- Transfer the slightly cooled vegetables to a food processor, adding tomato purée, and pulse 3-4 times to create a rustic, textured dip with visible vegetable fragments.
- Conduct a final seasoning assessment, tasting and adjusting salt and pepper levels to achieve a perfectly balanced flavor profile.
- Serve the dip warm or at ambient temperature, accompanied by crusty bread or crisp vegetable crudités for an elegant appetizer or side dish.
Notes
- Grab peak-season aubergines sporting glossy, unblemished skins for maximum taste and silky texture.
- Slice vegetables uniformly to guarantee consistent roasting, preventing some pieces from burning while others remain undercooked.
- Transform ordinary ingredients into extraordinary dip by charring vegetables until edges caramelize and develop deep, smoky undertones.
- Sample your creation, tweaking seasoning with pinches of salt, zesty lemon juice, or cracked pepper to match your palate’s desires.
- Give flavors time to dance and mingle by letting dip rest quietly for half an hour before serving, allowing ingredients to harmonize beautifully.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 45
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 3g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5g
- Carbohydrates: 4g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg