Eggplant Jam
A great accompaniment for any kind of grilled meat in summer, this dish was created by Suzanne Goin, chef and co-owner of several Los Angeles restaurants--including Lucques and A.O.C. To make the jam especially silky, Goin peels and seeds the tomatoes. You could use skin-on seeded tomatoes in a pinch, or even good-quality canned.
How to Make It
Step 1
1
Cut eggplant into 1/2-in.-thick slices, score with a paring knife in a tic-tac-toe pattern on both sides, and season with about 1/2 tsp. salt. Let sit 10 minutes, then blot dry with paper towels.
Step 2
2
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Heat a large frying pan over high heat, 2 minutes. Cooking in 2 batches, swirl in oil (3 tbsp. per batch) and wait 1 minute. Add eggplant slices in a single layer. Once they start to color, turn slices over and cook until tender and golden, another 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined baking sheet.
Step 3
3
Chop eggplant coarsely and toss in a large bowl with paprika, cayenne, and 1 tsp. salt. Mince garlic clove, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, and mash to a paste with the flat side of your chef's knife. Add paste to eggplant along with cilantro.
Step 4
4
Blanch tomatoes in boiling water, 30 seconds. Cool in a bowl of ice water, then slip off skins. Core tomatoes and cut each in half horizontally. Squeeze out seeds and pulp into a strainer set in a bowl. Chop tomatoes coarsely; add juice to bowl.
Step 5
5
Heat a large (not nonstick) frying pan over medium heat, 2 minutes. Swirl in remaining 1 tbsp. oil, add rosemary and chile, and heat another minute. Add onion and sauté until onion is translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Add chopped tomatoes and juices. Season with remaining 1/4 tsp. salt and cook until most of liquid has evaporated, 6 to 8 minutes. Add eggplant to pan, turn heat to high, and cook another 6 to 8 minutes, stirring often, until well integrated and jammy in texture. Serve at room temperature.
Ingredients
1 pound globe eggplant
About 1 3/4 tsp. kosher salt, divided
7 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1/2 teaspoon paprika
2 pinches cayenne
1 garlic clove
2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
1 pound ripe red tomatoes
Small sprig rosemary
1 dried arbol chile, crumbled
1/2 cup diced onion
Directions
Step 1
1
Cut eggplant into 1/2-in.-thick slices, score with a paring knife in a tic-tac-toe pattern on both sides, and season with about 1/2 tsp. salt. Let sit 10 minutes, then blot dry with paper towels.
Step 2
2
Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Heat a large frying pan over high heat, 2 minutes. Cooking in 2 batches, swirl in oil (3 tbsp. per batch) and wait 1 minute. Add eggplant slices in a single layer. Once they start to color, turn slices over and cook until tender and golden, another 3 to 4 minutes. Transfer to a paper towel-lined baking sheet.
Step 3
3
Chop eggplant coarsely and toss in a large bowl with paprika, cayenne, and 1 tsp. salt. Mince garlic clove, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, and mash to a paste with the flat side of your chef's knife. Add paste to eggplant along with cilantro.
Step 4
4
Blanch tomatoes in boiling water, 30 seconds. Cool in a bowl of ice water, then slip off skins. Core tomatoes and cut each in half horizontally. Squeeze out seeds and pulp into a strainer set in a bowl. Chop tomatoes coarsely; add juice to bowl.
Step 5
5
Heat a large (not nonstick) frying pan over medium heat, 2 minutes. Swirl in remaining 1 tbsp. oil, add rosemary and chile, and heat another minute. Add onion and sauté until onion is translucent, 3 to 4 minutes. Add chopped tomatoes and juices. Season with remaining 1/4 tsp. salt and cook until most of liquid has evaporated, 6 to 8 minutes. Add eggplant to pan, turn heat to high, and cook another 6 to 8 minutes, stirring often, until well integrated and jammy in texture. Serve at room temperature.
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