Young, firm eggplants are the best for this dish. Cook them just till they char and become tender, any longer and they will turn mushy. After a few seconds, they will absorb all the oil in the pan; they will cook just fine without the need for more.
Recipe Details
Charred Eggplant and Tomatoes with Harissa and Mint Recipe
Ingredients
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6 tablespoons olive oil, divided
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1 1/2 pounds eggplant, diced into 1-inch cubes
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1 pound fresh tomatoes, large dice (small tomatoes can be halved)
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4 clove cloves garlic, sliced
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1 tbsp harissa, to taste, plus more for the table
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1 tsp lemon juice, to taste
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1/4 cup roughly chopped mint leaves, loosely packed
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1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil for garnish
Directions
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Heat a large cast iron skillet on very high heat until it smokes. Add 4 tablespoons oil and wait till it shimmers, then add eggplant. Stir to coat with oil and cook until lightly charred and tender but toothsome, stirring occasionally. Remove from skillet to a bowl or plate.
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Let skillet heat again until smoking, then add remaining two tablespoons oil and let shimmer. Add tomatoes and a fat pinch of salt, stirring occasionally until softened, juicy, and lightly charred. Add garlic, 1 to 1 1/2 teaspoons harissa (more if you like), and cooked eggplant to skillet. Toss and cook for one minute, then remove skillet from heat.
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Add lemon juice, mint, and a glug of extra virgin olive oil. Toss, add salt to taste, and serve immediately, with extra harissa at the table.
Special equipment
cast iron skillet
| Nutrition Facts (per serving) | |
|---|---|
| 306 | Calories |
| 25g | Fat |
| 21g | Carbs |
| 3g | Protein |
| Nutrition Facts | |
|---|---|
| Servings: 4 | |
| Amount per serving | |
| Calories | 306 |
| % Daily Value* | |
| Total Fat 25g | 32% |
| Saturated Fat 3g | 17% |
| Cholesterol 0mg | 0% |
| Sodium 66mg | 3% |
| Total Carbohydrate 21g | 8% |
| Dietary Fiber 6g | 22% |
| Total Sugars 8g | |
| Protein 3g | |
| Vitamin C 19mg | 97% |
| Calcium 33mg | 3% |
| Iron 1mg | 7% |
| Potassium 536mg | 11% |
| *The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice. | |