Grilled Eggplant and Tomato Salad
Photo: Iain Bagwell; Styling: Randy Mon
Time: 1 1/4 hours. If you're serving these vegetables with grilled ribs, grill the vegetables first. They're good eaten at room temperature.
How to Make It
Step 1
In a bowl, dissolve 2 tbsp. salt in 3 qts. water. Cut eggplant crosswise into 1/2-in. slices. Put slices in salted water; top with a plate or pot lid to submerge. Let sit 30 minutes.
Step 2
Meanwhile, prepare a charcoal or gas grill for medium heat (350° to 450°; you can hold your hand 5 in. above cooking grate only 5 to 7 seconds). Drain eggplant on a kitchen towel. Arrange eggplant and tomatoes on a baking sheet. Brush all over with 1/2 cup oil.
Step 3
Grill tomatoes, covered, turning once, until grill marks appear, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate and set aside.
Step 4
Grill eggplant (in batches if necessary), covered, turning occasionally, until browned all over and tender to the bite, 5 to 8 minutes. Arrange on a large platter.
Step 5
In a blender or food processor, purée remaining 1/2 cup olive oil, the lemon juice, 1/2 cup mint leaves, the garlic, remaining 1/2 tsp. salt, the pepper, and mustard.
Step 6
Drizzle three-fourths of dressing over eggplant. Arrange tomatoes on eggplant, drizzle them with remaining dressing, and top with remaining 1/2 cup mint. Season to taste with more salt.
Step 7
Make ahead: Prepare recipe through step 5 up to 3 hours ahead, cover, and hold at room temperature. Assemble just before serving.
Step 8
Note: Nutritional analysis is per serving.
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DebattheBeach's Review
Excellent stand alone w/eggplant and dressing. Tomatoes have to be just right or they melt. Mint dressing was the hit of the party.
rwolfsohn's Review