Best Thomas Kellers Eggplant Aubergine Chutney Recipes

THOMAS KELLER'S EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) CHUTNEY

Steps:

• In a small skillet, combine curry powder, cinnamon stick and clove and place over medium heat, toasting until aromatic; removed from the heat and wrap the spices in cheesecloth with the lemon and orange zest and tie the cheesecloth to make a sachet.
• In a medium saucepan, combine 2 tablespoons of olive oil and the shallots and saute over low heat until the shallots have softened--about 4 minutes.
• Add the tomatoes, red wine, sugar, lemon and orange juices, and the sachet.
• Simmer until the liquid has reduced and the mixture resembles a marmalade--about 20 to 25 minutes.
• Remove from heat and discard sachet.
• In a large skillet over medium heat, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and then add the eggplant and saute until tender--about 5 minutes.
• Drain eggplant on paper towels set on a rack.
• Return the skillet to the medium heat, add two more tablespoons of oil and, when the oil is warm, add the zucchini and yellow squash and saute that until tender--4 to 5 minutes.
• Drain the zucchini and squash.
• Note: Dish can be prepared in advance to here and chilled for several hours; if it is chilled, bring to room temperature before proceeding.
• Reheat the tomato mixture and whisk in the remaining 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
• Add butter, one piece at a time, whisking to emulsify the sauce. (this step can be omitted to "veganize" the recipe).
• Add the eggplant, zucchini and yellow squash.
• Fold in red and yellow peppers and parsley.
• Serve warm.
• If served as a base for skate (as at The French Laundry), this serves six; as a condiment or as part of an appetizer plate, it will serve more--the yield is roughly 6 cups.

AUBERGINE PICKLE

Steps:

• Put the onions, ginger and oil in a large saucepan and gently cook for 15 mins until soft. Stir in the spices and curry leaves and fry for a few mins, then add the tomato purée and tamarind and fry for a few mins more.
• Stir in the aubergines, raisins, sugar and vinegar. Heat gently until the sugar has dissolved, then simmer for 20 mins until the chutney has thickened. Leave for 10 mins, then spoon into sterilised jars and seal. The pickle can be eaten straight away and keeps for up to 6 months.

FRIED EGGPLANT WITH CHICKPEAS AND MINT CHUTNEY

Steps:

• Season eggplant slices all over with salt. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat, then add 1 tablespoon olive oil and heat until it thins out in the pan. Add enough eggplant slices to fit in one layer without overlapping. Cook until the bottoms are browned, then flip and continue to cook until well browned and soft, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Add more oil if needed. Transfer cooked eggplant to a plate lined with paper towels, and repeat with more oil and eggplant until all the eggplant is cooked. Taste eggplant and add more salt if necessary.
• Heat another tablespoon of oil in pan, then add the onions. Cook until softened and golden, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, 1 to 2 minutes longer. Add spices and cook for 1 minute, then add tomatoes, chickpeas and 2 tablespoons water.
• Partly cover the pan and let the mixture simmer until tomatoes start to break down, 10 to 15 minutes. Add eggplant to the pan and cook for another 5 to 10 minutes, until sauce thickens.
• While the eggplant cooks, combine all the ingredients for the chutney in a blender with 2 tablespoons water. Blend until puréed, about 1 minute. Taste and add more lemon juice or salt, or both, if needed.
• Serve the eggplant topped with the chutney and yogurt if you like.