Eggplant Pizza

In one of my earlier posts, I had claimed to 'love' eggplants. In retrospect, I now think that that statement was a huge exaggeration.

The truth is that I don't love eggplant per se. I love it only and only when it is cooked in a few ways - eggplant raita and baingan ka bharta - are amongst my favourite ways of having them eggplants. Any other way and I have small moment of hesitation before taking the first bite.


A few months ago, we were served this rather unusual 'eggplant pizza' at a party. Just one bite and I was completely bowled over by the taste. Soon, I was making it very often at home. And why wouldn't I? After all, it makes for an excellent appetizer or a light evening snack - tasty, nutritious and very, very easy to make!

Ingredients:

Eggplant - 1, large

Olive oil - 1 tbsp

Seasonings - salt, pepper and dried garlic flakes

Onion: 1 small, finely chopped

Bell pepper - 1/2, chopped

Grated cheddar cheese - 3-4 tbsps

for the sauce:

Tomatoes - 2 large
Garlic - 1 large clove
Onion - 1 small
Seasonings : Chilli flakes, basil leaves, salt, sugar - to taste
Oil

Method:

Pre-heat the oven to 180 deg C for about 15 minutes.

While the oven pre-heats, prepare the tomato sauce. Blanch the tomatoes and peel the skin. Cut into half, scoop out the seeds and chop it up. Heat oil, saute the garlic and onions for a couple of minutes. Add the tomatoes and cook till soft. Let it cool and then puree in the mixie.
Return to the pan, add the seasonings and simmer till the sauce thickens.

Cut the eggplant into 1/2" thick circles. Whisk together the oil, dried garlic flakes, salt and pepper. Brush both sides of the eggplant slices with this mixture.

Grill the eggplant for about 5-7 minutes or until you get grill marks.

Turn the slices and spread the tomato sauce on the grilled side. Top with the chopped vegetables and the grated cheese. Return the slices back to the oven and grill for a further 7-8 minutes or till the cheese starts to melt and turn brown.

Now tell me, isn't this an excellent way to have eggplants? Or for that matter, pizza?