Spicy Seared Eggplant

By pattie_d

When a warm summer night entices you to dine outdoors, try these healthy barbecue ideas with a Mediterranean twist. Classic ingredients like sweet basil, charred tomato, pungent olives, and tangy balsamic vinegar awaken the palate. Invite your friends, fire up the grill, and enjoy this savory feast.

Ingredients

• 1 medium eggplant, about 1 pound, cut crosswise into 8 slices, each about 3/4 inch thick
• Coarse salt
• 2 small shallots, sliced crosswise, 1/4-inch thick
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 3 tablespoons sherry-wine vinegar
• 1/4 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
• 2 tablespoons golden raisins
• 1 tablespoon capers, rinsed
• 4 Gaeta olives, pitted and coarsely chopped
• 1/4 cup plus 4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Vegetable oil, for grill

Details

Servings 4
Preparation time 20mins
Cooking time 50mins
Adapted from wholeliving.com

Preparation

Step 1

Sprinkle the eggplant slices with salt, place in a colander set over a bowl, and let stand for 30 minutes. Rinse eggplant and pat dry.

In a small saucepan over medium heat combine shallots, garlic, sugar, vinegar, red-pepper flakes, and 3 tablespoons water. Bring to a boil, cook 1 minute, and remove from heat. Stir in raisins, capers, olives, and 1/4 cup of olive oil; cool to room temperature.

Heat grill to high and brush grates with vegetable oil. Brush eggplant with remaining 4 teaspoons olive oil. Cook eggplant until charred and tender, turning over halfway through, about 10 minutes.

Arrange eggplant on platter and spoon shallot mixture over top. Cool to room temperature and serve.

Per serving: 243 calories; 2 g protein; 20 g fat; 18 g carb; 5 g fiber.