ROASTED EGGPLANT WITH CHILES PEANUTS AND MINT
Betsy (MamaFloMO) from www.RecipeGirl.com
¼ cup unsalted peanuts
5 Tbs + 1 tsp. peanut oil
kosher salt
4 skinny Japanese or Chinese eggplant
¼ tsp crushed red pepper flakes, more or less to taste
2 Tbs fresh lime juice
1 tsp honey
12 medium fresh mint leaves, coarsely torn (about 3 Tbsp.)
1. Position rack in middle of oven and preheat to 425°F.
2. Scatter peanuts in a pie plate and toss them with 1 tsp. oil and a generous pinch of salt. Roast, shaking pan once or twice, until peanuts are a golden brown (about 5 minutes). Set aside to cool and then coarsely chop them up. Reduce oven temperature to 375F.
3. Rinse the eggplant. Trim off tops and then cut eggplant in half lengthwise. In a large shallow pan, toss eggplant with 2 Tbsp. of the oil and the red pepper flakes. Put eggplant cut-side-up on a rimmed baking sheet and sprinkle generously with salt. Roast until eggplant is tender when pierced with a fork and the flesh has turned a light golden brown, 10 to 12 minutes.
4. While eggplant is roasting, whisk 3 Tbsp. oil with lime juice, honey and ¼ tsp. salt in a small bowl. Season to taste with more salt, if necessary.
5. With the eggplant still on the center rack, turn the broiler on high and broil the eggplant until well-browned on top, about 5 minutes. Transfer eggplant to a serving platter. Drizzle with dressing and sprinkle with mint and peanuts. Serve immediately.
Serves 4 to 6 (as a side dish)
