Smoked Marinated Eggplant

 

 

 

 

 

Serve as a side dish, and if you have any marinade left you can toss them one more time and/or sprinkle with grated cheese.

 

 

Ingredients

  • 4 graffiti eggplants or other Asian types of eggplant, or 2 medium eggplants (salting may be required)
  • 4 large cloves garlic, minced
  • 4 Tbsp minced fresh basil, or 2 tablespoons dried
  • 4 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • 4 Tbsp olive oil

Serves 6 – 8 as a side dish.

Directions

  1. In a small bowl, mix garlic, basil, and balsamic vinegar, salt, pepper together and let set for 15 minutes. Next add the olive oil and mix thoroughly.
    • Make extra marinade if you plan to serve the eggplant warm. See serving suggestions.
  2. I love the taste in the skin of eggplant, but smoking at low temperature tends to toughen even the thinnest skin. So I had to compromise and peel the eggplant in stripes; leaving some of the skin on.
  3. Cut into 1/4 inch thick round slices.
  4. Place eggplant in a large bowl, and pour the marinade over the eggplant.
  5. Mix thoroughly and quickly to ensure that all pieces are evenly coated on both sides.
  6. Let marinate about 30 minutes or longer, mixing it up occasionally.
  7. While eggplant is marinating, preheat the smoker and smoke generator, and bring the cabinet temperature up to 200 °F.
  8. Place eggplant on racks (takes a full two racks), place in smoker, and apply 40 minutes to one hour of apple smoke.
  9. About 15 minutes before the smoking period is finished, heat grill to medium high, and oil the grates.
  10. When the application of smoke is finished transfer eggplant to the grill.
    You can also finish the eggplant in the smoker, under a broiler, roast it in an oven or sauté on top of the stove.
  11. Grill slices until tender; about 5 minutes per side. When done transfer to a large bowl and coat lightly with olive oil.

Serving Suggestions

  • You can serve immediately as a side dish; if you have any marinade left you can toss them one more time and/or sprinkle with grated cheese.
  • Let cool and make cold eggplant heroes; my favorite.
  • Use them in your favorite eggplant parmesan recipe.
  • Julienne or chop and add to salads.