Best Zaalouk Spicy Aubergine Salad Morocco Recipes

MOROCCAN ZAALOUK RECIPE

Steps:

• Trim the stems from the eggplants and cut them in half lengthwise. Arrange the eggplant halves skin side up on a baking sheet lined with aluminum foil and place under the broiler as close to the flame or heating element as possible.
• Roast the eggplants for about 20 to 25 minutes, or until the skins are charred and puckered with sections that crumble or crack like burnt paper when pressed. The flesh will be very soft.
• While the eggplant is roasting, peel, seed, and chop the tomatoes.
• Transfer the chopped tomatoes to a skillet along with the olive oil, garlic, parsley, cilantro, and spices. The optional cayenne and whole chili peppers can be added at this time as well.
• Cook the tomato mixture over medium heat, stirring frequently, until the tomatoes break down and a rich tomato sauce forms. This usually takes 10 to 20 minutes, depending on how soft the tomatoes were and how many you used.
• When the eggplants are roasted, remove them from the oven. When cool enough to handle, use a large spoon to scoop the flesh from the skin. Discard the skin.
• Add the eggplant flesh to the tomato mixture, stirring to combine. Use the back of a spoon or a fork to mash any firm bits of eggplant. If you want to add the optional lemon juice or a very small wedge of lemon, you can do so at this time.
• Cook the zaalouk for five to ten minutes to allow the flavors to blend, or longer if you want to reduce the salad to a drier, pastier consistency. Taste and adjust seasoning then remove from the heat.
• Peel, seed, and chop the tomatoes. Place them in a large deep skillet or large pot along with the olive oil, spices, garlic, and herbs. Stir to combine.
• Trim the stems from the eggplants and peel them. Some strips of skin can be left intact if you like a colorful zaalouk.Finely chop the peeled eggplants and add them to the skillet or pot along with 1/4 to 1/3 cup of water. If your pan is quite full, don't worry about stirring the eggplant into the tomato mixture just yet.
• Cover and cook the tomato mixture and eggplants over medium heat for about 10 to 15 minutes, or until the chopped eggplant has begun to soften and reduce in volume.
• Stir to combine all the ingredients well. Add the optional chili peppers or cayenne, if using, and a little more water if you found that the ingredients were sticking to the bottom of the pan.
• Cover and continue cooking for another 15 to 20 minutes, or until the eggplant and tomatoes are soft enough to mash.
• At this point, you can add the optional lemon juice or lemon wedge if using.Continue cooking the zaalouk uncovered to reduce the liquids, scraping the bottom of the pan and stirring frequently. Adjust the heat if necessary to avoid burning the zaalouk.If you want a puree-like consistency, mash the eggplants and tomatoes while the liquids reduce. If you prefer a chunky texture, stir without mashing.
• When the zaalouk has reduced to a consistency you like, taste and adjust seasoning then remove from the heat.
• Zaalouk can be served warm, cold, or at room temperature. Garnish as desired with fresh parsley or cilantro and/or a drizzle of good olive oil.
• Zaalouk will keep for several days in the fridge or two to three months in the freezer.If freezing, allow the zaalouk to thaw before reheating in a pan. Reduce any excess liquids and adjust the seasoning if needed.

ZAALOUK (SPICY AUBERGINE SALAD) - MOROCCO

Steps:

• Boil the aubergines and the garlic in a pan of boiling, salted water for 30 minutes or until they are very soft.
• Drain, then chop the aubergines with the garlic in a colander, mashing down with a fork, pressing all the water out.
• Put the tomatoes into the emptied pan and cook on low heat for 20 minutes, or until reduced to a thck sauce. Stir it occasionally.
• Mix with aubergines and the rest of the ingredients.
• Season to taste.

MOROCCAN AUBERGINE ZAALOUK

Steps:

• 1. Preheat oven to 450°F. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper. Drizzle 1 Tbsp olive oil on the parchment paper.
• 2. Peel the eggplant and slice lengthwise into 1/4-inch thick slices. Evenly arrange the eggplant slices on the parchment. (You may need a second parchment-lined baking sheet to accommodate extra eggplant slices.) Drizzle 1 Tbsp olive oil over the eggplant slices, sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Roast in a oven for 35 minutes or until the eggplant is cooked and golden brown. Remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes.
• 3. Heat 1 Tbsp olive oil a large sauté pan over medium-high heat. Add the garlic and cook for around 30 seconds. Add the paprika, cumin, and hot pepper flakes and cook in the hot oil for 10 seconds. Then stir in the chopped tomatoes, water, salt, black pepper, and bay leaf, let the sauce simmer for about 5 to 7 minutes.
• 4. Returning to the cooled eggplant, start chopping the eggplant slices into bite-sized cubes. Add the eggplant cubes to the sauté pan, stirring to combine. Reduce the heat to medium-low, cover, and let it simmer for another 5 minutes. The eggplant should be tender and fully cooked, but it shouldn't be disintegrating and pieces of the eggplant flesh shouldn't be flaking off.
• 5. Remove pan from heat, and stir in the lemon juice and chopped cilantro. Taste the sauce and adjust seasonings, if needed. Just before serving, drizzle about 1 tsp (or less) of olive oil in a random, thin line across the surface of the sauce. Serve hot or very warm with sliced bread or lots of bread chunks to scoop up the delicious Eggplant Zaalouk.

AUBERGINE SALAD

Steps:

• Soak sun-dried tomatoes in boiling water 15-30 minutes until they soften, then drain and dice; set aside until needed.
• Heat oil in a large skillet; add eggplant, red pepper, and onion along with salt, pepper, cumin, paprika, and garlic.
• Cook mixture, stirring occasionally, over medium heat, for 8-9 minutes or until lightly tender, then remove from heat and allow to cool.
• In a large bowl, mix together chopped olives, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, chopped parsley, toasted almonds, lemon juice, and mint (if using).
• Mix in cooled eggplant mixture, tossing lightly (add extra-virgin olive oil, salt, or fresh lemon juice if desired to adjust consistency to your taste).
• Serve salad warm or chilled with fresh pita bread, or alone as a salad or first course.