Fishy eggplant
Do you love the taste of eel and mackerel? You can give aubergine a surprising fishlike flavour by smoking it. The silky aubergine texture combined with the smoky flavour makes this a great and decadent delicacy. Delicious on toast or a sandwich with rocket salad, avocado and an extra touch of vegan mayonnaise.
Preparations
- Preheat the oven to the highest temperature possible (approx. 250°C).
- Wash the aubergines and poke some holes in them with a skewer or a small knife.
- Roast the aubergines on a rack for approx. 30 minutes until the skin is completely charred and crispy. The skin is not eaten, so it can be charred.
- Remove the aubergines from the oven and half them lengthwise.
- Prepare the smoker. Smoke the aubergines for approx. 10 minutes. Turn off the heat of the smoker and leave to cold-smoke for 5 more minutes.
- Remove the aubergines from the smoker. Use a spoon to scoop the flesh out of the skin. Use two forks to gently tear apart the stringy flesh, but not too much. It’s nice to leave a bit of texture.
- Mix in the mayonnaise and season to taste with salt and pepper and the garlic powder. Garnish with parsley or dill.
Tip:
Eat the fishy eggplant with bread and avocado.
Smoker
Stovetop or grill-top smokers are readily available at cooking stores or online. It is a kind of baking tray you can use on a stove or over a fire, to smoke produce by using wood chips. It is very easy to use and gives a wonderful flavour to vegetables.