Description
Mediterranean-style roasted eggplant spread from Ina Garten offers rich, smoky flavors with garlic and herbs. Smooth and creamy, you’ll love this simple appetizer that brings Mediterranean warmth to your table.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 medium eggplant, peeled
- 2 red bell peppers, seeds removed
- 1 red onion, peeled
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 3 tbsps (45 ml) olive oil
- 1.5 tsps kosher salt
- 0.5 tsp black pepper, ground
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
Instructions
- Roast Preparation: Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C) with a rack positioned in the center for uniform heat distribution.
- Vegetable Preparation: Dice eggplant, bell peppers, and onion into consistent 1-inch cubes, ensuring even cooking and caramelization.
- Seasoning and Mixing: Combine chopped vegetables in a large bowl with minced garlic, extra virgin olive oil, kosher salt, and black pepper, tossing thoroughly to coat each piece with seasoning.
- Baking Process: Spread the vegetable mixture in a single layer on a rimmed baking sheet, creating space between pieces to encourage crisp edges and deep roasting.
- Roasting and Monitoring: Roast vegetables for 45 minutes, turning them midway with a spatula to promote uniform browning and prevent burning, until edges turn golden and vegetables become tender.
- Cooling and Processing: Allow roasted vegetables to cool slightly, then transfer to a food processor, adding tomato paste and pulsing 3-4 times to create a rustic, textured spread with visible vegetable pieces.
- Final Seasoning: Taste the spread and adjust salt and pepper as needed, ensuring a balanced and vibrant flavor profile.
Notes
- Roast Wisely: Cut vegetables uniformly to ensure even cooking and prevent uneven charring.
- Oil Distribution: Coat vegetables generously with olive oil for maximum caramelization and rich flavor development.
- Midway Technique: Rotate vegetables halfway through roasting to prevent burning and promote consistent golden-brown edges.
- Texture Control: Pulse food processor briefly to maintain a rustic, chunky spread rather than creating a smooth puree.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 130
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 250mg
- Fat: 12g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 2g
- Cholesterol: 0mg