Kenz
Culinary Explorer
A healthy Food


Ingredients:
For the Salad:
- 2 medium eggplants
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/4 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and sliced
- 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil or parsley
For the Dressing:
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar (or red wine vinegar)
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions:
- Prepare the Eggplant:
- Preheat your grill to medium-high heat.
- Slice the eggplants into 1/2-inch rounds. Brush both sides with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
- Grill the Eggplant:
- Place the eggplant slices on the grill and cook for about 3-4 minutes per side, or until grill marks appear and the eggplant is tender. You may need to do this in batches depending on the size of your grill.
- Remove the eggplant from the grill and let it cool slightly. Cut the grilled eggplant into bite-sized pieces.
- Prepare the Vegetables:
- While the eggplant is grilling, prepare the other vegetables: dice the bell pepper and cucumber, slice the red onion, and slice the olives.
- Make the Dressing:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Assemble the Salad:
- In a large bowl, combine the grilled eggplant, diced bell pepper, cucumber, red onion, and olives.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
- Add the Finishing Touches:
- Gently fold in the crumbled feta cheese and chopped fresh basil or parsley.
- Serve:
- Serve the salad immediately or let it chill in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes to let the flavors meld.
Tips:
- Variation: You can add other ingredients like cherry tomatoes, avocado, or roasted red peppers for extra flavor.
- Grilled Eggplant: Make sure to slice the eggplant evenly so that it grills uniformly. If the eggplant slices seem too dry, you can brush them with a bit more olive oil before grilling.
- Storage: This salad can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The flavors will continue to develop as it sits.