Recipe: Eggplant Salad with Olive Oil, Garlic and Lemon

Eggplant Salad With Olive Oil, Garlic And Lemon
Yield: 4 Servings

1 lg globe eggplant or 4 small asian eggplants
4 tb extra virgin olive oil; plus
2 tb extra virgin olive oil; if desired
3 garlic cloves; chopped
1/2 lemon; juiced
salt and cayenne pepper; to taste

Roast the eggplant(s) over an open flame, such as the top of a gas stove or a barbecue, turning the eggplant until it is evenly charred and blackened. Transfer the eggplant(s) to a bowl. Cover and set aside until cool enough to handle.

Remove the eggplant from the bowl, saving any liquid that accumulates; this will have a nice smoky flavor that will enhance the final dish. Peel away the skin using your fingers and a paring knife. Discard the charred blackened skin, though quite a bit of the charred bits will remain. (Don't worry, they will disappear into the smoky eggplant mixture.)

Coarsely chop the eggplant flesh and return it to the bowl with any liquid that has accumulated. Mix in the rest of the ingredients: olive oil, garlic and lemon juice; season with salt and pepper. Serves 4.