Eggplant, pepper and zucchini recipe - a garden delight

Chopper 6/29/2010, 2:50 pm

Garden Delight

Ingredients
1/2 cup plus 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
2 teaspoons harissa powder
1 red bell pepper, quartered, seeded
1 1 1/2-pound eggplant, trimmed, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick rounds
4 medium zucchini, halved lengthwise, then crosswise
6 large green lettuce leaves
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
Lemon wedges (for garnish)

Ingredient Info
Harissa powder is a spice blend sold at Middle Eastern markets, specialty foods stores, and online at wholespice.com. If unavailable, combine 2 teaspoons ground coriander;
1 1/2 teaspoons ancho chile powder; 1 teaspoon each garlic powder, paprika, and cumin; 1/2 teaspoon salt; and 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper.

Preparation

Whisk 1/2 cup oil, lemon juice, and harissa in medium bowl. Season dressing with salt.
Prepare barbecue (high heat).
Grill bell pepper quarters, skin side down, until skin is blackened all over (do not turn). Reduce heat to medium (if using gas grill) or let coals cool slightly (if using charcoal grill).
Rub Zucchini and eggplant with spice.
Pour remaining 3 tablespoons oil onto rimmed baking sheet. Place eggplant rounds and zucchini on prepared sheet; turn to coat.
Sprinkle vegetables with salt and pepper.
Grill until charred in spots and cooked through, turning occasionally, about 10 minutes. Return vegetables to same sheet.
Peel peppers.
DO AHEAD Dressing and vegetables can be made 2 hours ahead. Let stand at room temperature.
Line platter with lettuce.
Cut eggplant rounds crosswise in half; arrange in concentric circles atop outside edge of lettuce, leaving center empty.
Cut bell pepper and zucchini into 1-inch pieces; mound in center. Drizzle some of dressing over.
Sprinkle with cilantro.
Serve with lemon wedges; pass additional dressing.

cherriesjubilee 6/29/2010, 8:13 pm

Chopper,
This is a very nice-sounding recipe. I like to grill veggies, and I'm always looking for something to dip or rub them in.

I plan to try this before too long. Thanks for sharing.

ander217 7/6/2010, 9:23 am

Chopper, I'm not a griller. Do you think this recipe would work with roasting the veggies instead of grilling?

Thanks for posting the substitution for harissa powder. Here in the boonies I doubt that I'd ever find it. (Our local joke is we live so far away from everything that we get Saturday Night Live on Tuesday.)

Chopper 7/6/2010, 4:43 pm

ander217 wrote:Chopper, I'm not a griller. Do you think this recipe would work with roasting the veggies instead of grilling?

Thanks for posting the substitution for harissa powder. Here in the boonies I doubt that I'd ever find it. (Our local joke is we live so far away from everything that we get Saturday Night Live on Tuesday.)

I don't see why not. I think the same thing is accomplished. And flavor is flavor. Eggplant, pepper and zucchini recipe - a garden delight Icon_smile

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Eggplant, pepper and zucchini recipe - a garden delight

Eggplant, pepper and zucchini recipe - a garden delight

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Roasting?

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Re: Eggplant, pepper and zucchini recipe - a garden delight


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