Grilled Eggplant and Pepper Bruschetta
(from redmed2000’s recipe box)
Makes 8 cups
Source: Penzey's Spices
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Categories: appetizers, not tried
Ingredients
- 4 red bell peppers - about 1 1/2 lbs
- 2 large (or 4 small) eggplant - 2-3 lbs
- 2-3 fresh garlic cloves
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 large red-ripe tomatoes
- 3-4 Tbsp chopped fresh basil leaves
- 1 small red onion
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella cheese
- 2-4 Tbsp balsamic or red wine vinegar
- 1-2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- 1/2-1 tsp chipotle pepper
Directions
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Start the grill—higher heat for peppers, low, even heat for eggplants.
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Wash peppers and eggplant.
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Core peppers, remove seeds and membrane, and cut into 4-6 large pieces.
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Peel eggplant, cut off 1" slice from top and bottom, then slice into 1" thick circles.
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Place pepper and eggplant pieces on baking sheet.
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Peel and crush up garlic cloves, mixing them with olive oil.
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Drizzle or brush the oil onto both sides of the eggplant and the non-skin sides of the peppers.
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Grill the peppers for 3-5 minutes per side, allowing skin to blacken and blister. Do the same for eggplant, making sure they are fully cooked and not mushy. Remove from grill and let cool.
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Dice tomato, chop basil, and peel and mince red onion.
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Place in large bowl with mozzarella cheese, drizzle with balsamic vinegar, add 1 tsp salt, black pepper and chipotle pepper.
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Cut up the eggplant into small pieces or mash, and add to the bowl.
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Peel skins off the peppers using paring knife / cool water.
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Mince peppers, add to the bowl, toss, taste and adjust seasoning as necessary. (Sometimes a bit more olive oil or vinegar and extra salt are nice.)