Meet The Chef - Ottolenghi's Eggplant With Saffron Yogurt

I don't know about you, but I'm sick of this cold. We barely broke twenty all week.  Apparently, it's not just a cold snap, but more like a weather "condition". Kind of a thing, you might say. My husband, who happens to enjoy a later work schedule than mine, sent me off each morning, half delirious, mumbling the words: "poollaaaarr vooortexxx," his sleep-laden voice muffled by layers of sheets and comforter, making him sound, adorably, like E.T. on quaaludes. If you too are looking for a way to forget about the nose-diving mercury, why not join me for a quick an easy culinary sojourn to a warmer climate? 

Roasted Eggplant With Saffron Yogurt and Pomegranate, Photo: NK

Today's recipe for Eggplant With Saffron Yogurt comes from it chef Yotam Ottolenghi. I have been obsessed with this guy ever since I read about him in one of my food mags. Born to Italian and German parents and raised in Jerusalem, Ottolenghi made a name for himself once he moved to England, where he started a series of gourmet food shops. His recipes are gorgeous, simple, and his heavy focus on the flavors of the Middle East, is right up my alley. Learn about him!  Clearly, I was delighted when I received one of his cookbooks as a Christmas gift (more about the awesome foodie gifts I was lucky enough to receive here). Back to our gorgeous vegetable side dish. Today's platter of golden roasted eggplant, creamy saffron yogurt, and bright basil leaves makes for a pretty dramatic presentation. A sprinkle of crunchy pomegranate seeds add color and crunch. Side note: we're loving pomegranate lately…check out our Basil Pesto and Pomegranate Pasta HERE. It just happens to be a wonderful way to use any leftover ingredients from this recipe. 

Ok then, on to the main event!

Roasted Eggplant Wedges, Photo: NK

Ottolenghi's Eggplant With Saffron Yogurt
By Yotam Ottolenghi/Sami Tamimi
Ottolenghi The Cookbook 
Serves 4 

Ingredients: 
Pinch of Saffron Threads
3 Tablespoons Hot Water
3/4 Cup Plain Greek Yogurt
1 Clove of Garlic, crushed
2.5 Tablespoons Lemon Juice
3 Tablespoons Olive Oil 
Sea Salt

3 Medium Eggplants, cut into 3/4 inch rounds and then into wedges
2 Tablespoons Pine Nuts, toasted 
Olive Oil, for brushing
Handful of Pomegranate Seeds
About 20 Basil Leaves
Sea Salt and Black Pepper

Method:

Making the Saffron Yogurt, Photo: NK

1. To make the sauce, steep the saffron threads in a small bowl with the hot water. Let the mixture sit for at least five minutes. 

2. Place yogurt into another bowl, and pour in the saffron infused liquid. Now add the garlic, lemon juice, and a good pinch of salt. Give it a whisk and taste. Adjust seasoning if necessary dab then place it in the fridge to chill. This sauce will keep up to 3 days.

3. Preheat the oven to 425 and oil 2 large baking sheets. Brush eggplant wedges on each side with some more oil and sprinkle them with salt and pepper. Roast the eggplant at least 20 minutes. It should take on a rich, light brown color. Depending on your oven, you can let them go up to another 10 minutes but watch them careful so they do not burn. When finished, cool the eggplant.  It will also keep for 3 days, but you must bring it to room temperature before serving. 


4. To serve, place the eggplant slices on a large platter with their edges slightly overlapping. Drizzle the eggplant with the saffron yogurt and sprinkle it with pine nuts and pomegranate. Place the basil on top of it all. Serve and enjoy!

Special "Addition" - Israeli Couscous Salad With Crab

One of my favorite things to do in the kitchen is to improvise little twists on tried, true, and faithful recipes. Usually, this means adding one extra special ingredient that elevates the dish. The latest example of this was a recipe I recently created to serve a party of ten dinner guests. It involved our go-to "feeds a crowd" side, Israeli Couscous Salad. While we usually serve this easy to prepare crowd-pleaser mixed with chopped parsley, sliced cherry tomatoes, red onions and a balsamic vinaigrette (the result is totally delicious yet so simple and pretty), I decided that last week's family barbecue called for something a bit more unique. Whenever I am looking to add a little luxury to a meal, I find that there's no better bang for your buck than a can of crabmeat.

Israeli Couscous with Crab, Photo: NK 

Today's Crab Couscous Salad will not require that you splurge on expensive lump crab meat. "Flake," generally the cheapest type of crabmeat, works perfectly here. You could certainly use Backfin -which is more in the middle grade. I prefer Israeli (also known as Pearl) Couscous to the more ubiquitous "regular" couscous although I am sure the latter would also work. 

With a more substantial grain the size of small pearls, Israeli couscous is wonderful if you are looking for a couscous with a much more texture and interest. This little pasta, like its arguably more popular smaller-grained counterpart, is super versatile and easy to handle. Carrots (we happened to find really beautiful ones at the greenmarket) provide color, crunch, and sweetness, while tangy lemon juice and zest give this salad its punch.  Buttery crab ties the whole dish together into one deliciously special and easy side. Be sure to let the prepared salad sit in the fridge a few hours. The flavors will blend and intensify nicely! Bring this to your next potluck or serve at a picnic or as a fancy dinner accompaniment. The only thing easier than making Crab Couscous Salad is eating it. 

Israeli Couscous With Crab 

Serves 10 as a hearty side dish 

Photo: NK 

Ingredients: 

Two 8.8 Ounce Boxes Israeli Couscous (we use Osem brand usually found in the Kosher food aisle)

3 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil plus more

16 Ounce Can Pasteurized Crabmeat (flake) 

Zest of 2 Lemons 

3 Tablespoons Lemon Juice

1/2 Cup very finely chopped Carrot

4 Heaping Tablespoons Italian Parsley,finely minced

1 large Shallot, cut into a fine dice

1 teaspoon Kosher Salt

Method:

1. F'irst, toast the couscous: pour the uncooked Israeli Couscous into a large, wide pot over a medium-low flame. Stir frequently for a few minutes until the couscous begins to take on a bit of color. Take care not to burn. Some of the grains should become slightly golden, others will remain white. Turn off the heat. 

Israeli Couscous, Photo: NK

2. Now, cook the Couscous in water according to the package instructions. (*We recommend you add a teaspoon or two of olive oil to the cooking liquid to prevent sticking)

3. When finished, remove the cooked Couscous to a very large bowl. 

4. Add Carrots, Shallots, Parsley, Lemon Zest, Lemon Juice, 3 Tablespoons Extra Virgin Olive Oil and Salt. Give it a good stir and then carefully fold in the Flake Crabmeat. 

5. Toss couscous and allow it to sit in the fridge, stirring occasionally, for at least one hour or up to three hours. 

6. When ready to serve, taste for seasoning and add extra salt or lemon juice as desired. 

You can serve this chilled or room temperature, according to your preference. Enjoy!!