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Bon Appétit

Piccante Eggplant Sauce

5.0

(1)

Image may contain Food Bowl and Plant
Photo by Alex Lau

Never have button mushrooms been more delicious than in this veg-packed spicy dip recipe, also ideal as a sandwich spread or finisher for simply prepared vegetables.

Recipe information

  • Yield

    Makes about 1 1/2 cups

Ingredients

1 small globe eggplant, halved lengthwise
2 tablespoons plus 1/2 cup olive oil
4 ounces button mushrooms, trimmed
1 small head of garlic, plus 1/2 small garlic clove, finely chopped
1/4 cup tomato sauce
2 tablespoons Calabrian chile paste or 1 fresh Fresno chile, chopped

Preparation

  1. Step 1

    Preheat oven to 425°F. Lightly score eggplant flesh with the tip of a knife. Place skin side down on a rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with 1 Tbsp. oil; season with salt. Toss mushrooms and head of garlic with 1 Tbsp. oil on another rimmed baking sheet; season with salt. Cover tightly with foil. Roast vegetables on both sheets until very tender, 30–35 minutes. Let cool.

    Step 2

    Scoop eggplant flesh from skin; discard skin. Chop eggplant and mushrooms until a coarse purée forms. Squeeze garlic cloves from skins; chop until mashed. Transfer both purées to a small bowl and mix in tomato sauce, chile paste, chopped fresh garlic, and remaining 1/2 cup oil; season with salt.

    Step 3

    Serve with bread for dipping.

  2. Do Ahead

    Step 4

    Sauce can be made 2 weeks ahead. Cover and chill.

TagsSauceItalianEuropeanEggplantVegetableButton MushroomMushroomGarlicRoot VegetableTomatoCalabrian ChileChileSideNut FreeGluten FreeDairy FreeVegetarianEasyMake AheadRoastBon Appétit

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