¼teaspoonblack pepper* see recipe notes for alternatives
To garnish (optional)
2tablespoons olive oil
1tablespoon paprika
2tablespoons pinenuts
2tablespoons fresh herbs parsley or coriander or cilantro
1tablespoonmixed seeds toasted (optional) *
1smallred chilli (dried) or dried red chilli flakes
Instructions
Ideally is to grill the eggplants (aubergines) on a fairly powerful fire so that the flesh remains nice and white (See recipe notes for some tips) Pierce the aubergine a couple of times with a knife, then grill for approximately 15-20-25 minutes until blackened, softened and collapsing. Allow these to cool slightly.
With a spoon, scoop the flesh from the eggplant/aubergine straight into a sieve. Do this with all. Allow it to rest for 15-20 minutes so all juices run out.
Meanwhile, peel and crush the garlic, and chop finely both the garlic and the onion.
Transfer the drained eggplant to the food processor and start blitzing adding the oil, the chopped garlic & onion, a generous squeeze of lemon juice, and a pinch of salt & black pepper. Taste and adjust the seasoning, oil, and lemon as desired.
Heat up a pan, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil, paprika, mixed seeds (pumpkin, sunflower), and the pinenuts. Toast for literally 1 min toss continuously and pour over the aubergine/eggplant dip.
Place the eggplant dip in a dish pour/ sprinkle over the toasted paprika and pinenuts mix on hot olive oil.
Serve with a good sprinkle of finely or coarsely chopped fresh parsley or coriander/cilantro. Best to serve it with flatbreads, tortilla crisps, or any homemade bread or sourdough.
Notes
I like adding long pepper for a twist in flavor
Prepping the eggplants:
see notes above
Garnishing options:
I have used some toasted mixed seeds (pumpkin, sesame, sunflower, and hemp seeds) in this recipe but you may leave these out and add extra herbs and some pomegranate seeds.
Onion and garlic:
you may add these and blitz them in the food processor or if you can do a super fine chopping add these after blitzing the eggplants for some texture. It is entirely up to personal preferences.