Olive Oil Eggplant
Eggplant, tomato, onion and olive oil-based classic vegetable meze.
- Yield
- 6
- Preparation
- Cooking
- Total
- Difficulty
- Medium
The listed times are estimates for 6 servings.
About this recipe
Olive oil eggplant, based on slow-cooking eggplant with tomatoes and aromatic vegetables, is a home recipe that can be served hot or warm.
Ingredients
- 4 eggplant
- 2 onion
- 3 tomato
- 2 green pepper
- 3 garlic
- 5 olive oil
- 1 salt
- 250 water
Instructions
Cut the eggplants into large pieces. Prepare the other vegetables in a size suitable for cooking.
Heat part of the olive oil in a pot. Sauté the onion and pepper until softened.
Add the chopped tomato and garlic. Cook until the tomato releases its juice slightly.
Add the eggplant, remaining olive oil, salt and water. Cover and simmer over low heat until the eggplants are completely tender.
Turn off the heat. Let the dish rest briefly in its pot, then serve warm or at room temperature.
Make this recipe better
Useful tips
- Cut the eggplant into similar-sized pieces so they soften at roughly the same rate.
- Cook the onion and tomato briefly before adding the eggplant to build a more balanced sauce.
- Use moderate heat and let the eggplant soften in the sauce rather than rushing it over very high heat.
Common mistakes
- Cutting the eggplant too small can make it lose its shape before the sauce is ready.
- Adding too much water at the start can leave an olive-oil vegetable dish unnecessarily soupy.
Storage
Cool completely, then refrigerate in a covered container. The flavors often become more integrated after the dish has rested.
Serving suggestion
Serve warm, at room temperature, or lightly chilled. Spoon some of the pan juices over the eggplant just before serving.
Frequently asked questions
Why does eggplant fall apart while cooking?
Pieces that are too small or cooked for too long can lose their shape. Keep the cuts even and stop once tender.
Is olive-oil eggplant served hot or cold?
It is commonly served warm or near room temperature, where the vegetable and olive-oil flavors are easy to taste.