Roasted Eggplant Salad

Ingredients

• 1 Eggplant
• 1 Red Bell Pepper
• 2 Garlic Cloves
• 1 Lemon
• 1 Shallot
• 1 oz Smoked Almonds
• ½ Cup Pearl Couscous
• 2 Tbsp. Tahini
• 1 tsp. Cumin
• 2 oz Baby Arugula
• 2 oz Goat Cheese Crumbles
• Olive Oil
• Salt Pepper

Instructions

1. 1

   Roasted Eggplant Salad: with lemon-tahini dressing, goat cheese, and smoked almonds 1 Red Bell Pepper 1 oz. Smoked Almonds ½ Cup Pearl Couscous 2 oz. Baby Arugula 2 oz. Goat Cheese Crumbles

2. 2

   Cooking Spray: Wire-Mesh Strainer

3. 3

   Prepare lemon tahini vinaigrette: with 2 Tbsp. lemon juice at first. If you prefer more tart flavor, add 1 Tahini is a condiment made from ground toasted sesame seeds with a texture similar to peanut butter. It’s common throughout Middle Eastern cuisine and is a major component of hummus.

4. 4

   Prepare the Ingredients: Trim ends off eggplant and cut into ½” dice. Stem, seed, and slice red bell pepper into thin ½” strips. Mince garlic. Zest lemon, halve, and juice. Peel and slice shallot into very thin rounds. Coarsely chop

5. 5

   Make the Dressing: Stir together 2 Tbsp. lemon juice (start with 2 Tbsp., taste, and add more if desired), 2 Tbsp. olive oil, tahini, garlic, cumin, and ¼ tsp. salt in a large

6. 6

   Roast the Eggplant and Red Bell Pepper: Place eggplant and red bell pepper on prepared salt, and ¼ tsp. pepper. Toss to coat. Roast 12-15 minutes, or until browned and tender. Remove from oven and allow to cool.

7. 7

   Make the Salad: To bowl with lemon-tahini dressing, add arugula, roasted eggplant, couscous, shallot (to taste), and roasted red bell peppers. Toss to coat evenly. Taste, and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper, if needed.

8. 8

   Add couscous to boiling water and cook 8-10: minutes, or until tender. Drain in wire-mesh strainer and rinse under cold water to stop cooking process. Shake off as much water as possible and set aside.

9. 9

   Plate the Dish: Place salad on plate and garnish with smoked almonds, goat cheese, and lemon zest. recipe–it has bigger grains and is easier to pinch than table salt, allowing more control over flavor. If using regular table salt, reduce measured amounts eggplant from sticking. • Shallots bring a slightly assertive onion-garlic flavor when used raw. Use to taste when adding to salad. the recipe before you start–we promise it will be time • Bring a small pot of 2 cups • Place a wire-mesh strainer in