Smoky Roasted Eggplant
Smoky paprika makes this spice mix incredible and the spice mix develops an amazing flavor on these eggplant. Delicious! So good that you’ll need to make a lot. I could eat the veggies as a meal in themselves.
Place the spice mix in an unused spice jar to make it easy to sprinkle. Make extra—you’ll want to sprinkle this smoky spice mix on lots of veggies! On the eggplant, the spices are definitely Mediterranean. Try Sweet Potatoes-definitely inspired!
Recipe is below.
Foodie Lit
A crisis for many occurs when an individual becomes sick or injured and a family member becomes a caregiver. US Staff Sergeant Logan Slater’s battle with a life-threatening injury is one military families often face.
In Allegiance, Keri Slater’s marriage is put to the test. Logan’s serious injuries force Keri to become a caregiver, emotionally and physically taxing. Her difficult role is compounded by an overheard conversation revealing that Logan had an affair with her best friend and there was a pregnancy. Keri is heartbroken and angry and yet keeps her allegiance to Logan.
Honor and loyalty to country, sadly not always seen these days, reminds us that this same allegiance binds families and communities.
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Smoky Roasted Eggplant
Smoky Spice Mix
2 tsp smoked paprika
2 tsp ground cumin
2 tsp ground coriander
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/2 tsp garlic powder
1/2 tsp cayenne pepper, optional
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Mix together smoked paprika, cumin, coriander, sea salt, garlic powder and cayenne pepper, if adding. For ease of sprinkling, use an empty spice jar with a shaker insert.
Eggplant
1 large eggplant, unpeeled
2 1/2 tablespoons tamari
2 tablespoons olive oil
Try Sweet Potato Fries--equally delicious!
2 large sweet potatoes, scrubbed and unpeeled
2 tablespoons olive oil
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Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Slice eggplant into 1/4” rounds
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Place eggplant slices in a colander in a sink or over a bowl. Sprinkle each piece with salt and leave for 20 minutes. Gently spray off the salt and dry the eggplant slices. This salting and draining removes any taste of bitterness from large eggplants.
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Mix tamari and olive oil. With a brush, spread the mixture over eggplant on both sides.
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If using the sweet potatoes, slice into a long French fry shape. Place slices on baking sheet. Drizzle 2 tablespoons olive oil over the sweet potato slices.
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Sprinkle spice mix over both sides of eggplant or sweet potatoes.
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Heat oven to 400F.
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Eggplant: Bake 3 minutes; flip carefully and bake another 3 minutes or until the tops are golden. Plate eggplant. Drizzle with Hummus Sauce. Reheat in oven or toaster oven.
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Sweet Potato Fries: Bake 15 minutes. Turn potato slices over. Bake another 15 minutes or until the sweet potatoes are soft without falling apart.
Hummus Drizzle on Eggplant
1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon fresh dill, minced or 1 teaspoon dried dill
3 cloves garlic minced
1 pinch salt
1/3 cup hummus
3 tablespoons water to thin
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Mix lemon juice, dill, garlic, salt and hummus, into a jar or bowl. Add water a tablespoon at a time, until the sauce can be drizzled easily but still remains thick.
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Adjust seasoning to taste. This sauce tastes great as well as a vegetable dip, drizzled on felafel and chopped veggies. The sauce lasts for a week in a covered dish in the refrigerator.
expandthetable suggestions
Grill: Try grilling eggplant or sweet potatoes instead of baking them.
Other veggies: Zucchini, yellow squash, bell peppers, white potatoes, corn on the cob, acorn or butternut squash, carrots
Adapted from Minimalistbaker.com