This is a simple eggplant recipe but definitely one of the best recipes for grilled eggplant ever. Like a lot of grilled vegetable recipes, the great thing about this one is its simplicity. The eggplant is grilled to perfection and then served with pine nuts, basil, and goat’s cheese. The balsamic vinegar drizzled over the top adds an air of sophistication to this grilled eggplant recipe. You can use feta cheese instead of goat’s cheese if you like; the textures and tastes are similar.
To make this side dish into a main dish, just add some tomatoes and a roasted yellow bell pepper. That would make it into a fantastic dinner for a warm summer evening. Oven-dried tomatoes are a great addition too and they add color as well as extra flavor and a new texture. You can alter the recipe in any way you want or just follow it as it is. Use either regular eggplants or Japanese eggplants for this. Japanese eggplants have a delicate, sweet flavor and a thin skin, so they would be perfect when you are making recipes for grilled eggplant.
Grilled Eggplant is Easy
This is a very simple dish and some of the best recipes are that way. The flavors and textures contrast yet go together perfectly and nothing else is needed to improve this dish because it is already wonderful as it is. Serve this eggplant salad recipe warm if you like, or chilled if you prefer. It is actually really good if you serve the eggplant warm from the grill so the goat’s cheese gets really soft. The eggplant will not be hot enough to melt the cheese but when it softens it tastes richer.
If you have decided to make this delicious dish, all you need to do is toss the eggplant in olive oil and then put it on the barbeque for a few minutes or until it is tender.
Grilled Eggplant: How to Remove Bitterness from Eggplant
Grilled Eggplant: How to Remove Bitterness from EggplantTo remove the bitter flavor from eggplant which you might or might not notice (do not bother with this step if you do not notice it) then you can sprinkle salt over the eggplant slices.
Let them sit for an hour, before rinsing them and then continuing with the recipe. That is something you could do before adding the olive oil and barbequing them anyway. Pop the eggplant on the barbeque along with any meat or fish you are going to cook, or any other side dishes.
Have the basil, goat’s cheese and pine nuts ready to sprinkle over the cooked eggplant, and have some balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper handy too, so you can add these extras white the eggplant slices are still warm from the barbeque.
Anyone can make this easy recipe, anyone who can fire up a barbeque. If you do not have a barbeque, use a gas grill or even an electric grill. Whether you make this with eggplant, or swap the eggplant for zucchini (courgette) you will really love the result. Add some crusty bread and serve this as a vegetarian lunch or dinner. Or serve it with chicken or steak for carnivores.
PrintGrilled Eggplant Recipe | How to Make Grilled Aubergine
Eggplant is cooked on the barbeque until tender. The smoky aroma will really make your mouth water. This dish is finished off with goat’s cheese, pine nuts and basil. Grilled eggplant is well worth adding to your summer cookout arsenal.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 8 minutes
- Total Time: 18 minutes
- Yield: 6 1x
- Category: Side Dish
- Method: Grill
Ingredients
- 3 eggplants (aubergines) in 1-inch (2½ cm) slices
- ⅓ cup (7g) fresh basil, chiffonade cut
- 6 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- ½ cup (70g) toasted pine nuts
- 3 ounces (75g) crumbled goat cheese
- 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Toss the eggplant (aubergine) in half the olive oil.
- Grill it over a medium hot gas or charcoal grill for about 4 minutes on each side or until grill marks appear.
- Arrange the grilled eggplant on a serving platter.
- Sprinkle the basil, pine nuts, and goat’s cheese over the top and drizzle the balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper, and remaining oil over the salad.
Notes
Like with many other recipes for grilled eggplant, this recipe looks very attractive. Everything from the glossy purple skin of the eggplant to the golden brown toasted pine nuts and the fresh basil will make you want to reach for a fork.
This recipe is very simple to make and you can use any kind of eggplant you like. Why not try it with zucchini if you happen to have some?
Serve this tasty grilled eggplant recipe as a side dish or appetizer. It is also a great main dish for vegetarians if you add some tomato and bell pepper and serve it with crusty bread.
Keywords: grilled eggplant, grilled aubergine, how to grill eggplant, how to bbq aubergine