Miso Cumin Grilled Eggplant Crispy Chickpeas

My Rice Bowl

https://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/miso-cumin-grilled-eggplant-crispy-chickpeas • Posted by GMC Group

When you brush grilled eggplant with a glaze made by blending spunky black vinegar with oil, miso, garlic, and toasted cumin, it caramelizes into a thick, sticky sauce that almost candies the eggplant. The result: eggplant for noneggplant-eaters. I always make extra of the glaze and the chickpeas because the combination is infinitely translatable—try it on other grilled vegetables, like zucchini or asparagus, or on firm fish fillets. MAKES 4 SERVINGS

You will need

FOR THE CHICKPEAS:
1 (15-ounce) can Chickpeas , rinsed and drained 3 tbsp Canola Oil 1 tsp Ground Sumac ½ tsp Kosher Salt
FOR THE GLAZE:
½ cup Black Vinegar 4 Cloves Garlic 1 tbsp Toasted whole Cumin Seeds ½ cup Canola Oil ¼ cup Japanese White Miso
FOR THE EGGPLANT:
4 Japanese or Chinese Eggplant (about 1 pound), cut into ½-inch-thick slices lengthwise 2 tbsp Canola Oil Kosher salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper ¼ cup Packed picked Italian Parsley leaves Crunchy Sea Salt , for garnish

Project Budget

Time

Difficulty

Description

When you brush grilled eggplant with a glaze made by blending spunky black vinegar with oil, miso, garlic, and toasted cumin, it caramelizes into a thick, sticky sauce that almost candies the eggplant. The result: eggplant for noneggplant-eaters. I always make extra of the glaze and the chickpeas because the combination is infinitely translatable—try it on other grilled vegetables, like zucchini or asparagus, or on firm fish fillets. MAKES 4 SERVINGS

Instructions

1. DRY THE CHICKPEAS. Pat the chickpeas dry with a clean towel, then transfer them to the bowl of a food processor and pulse until all the chickpeas are broken into ragged pieces and some have turned to dust, about 10 times. Dry the chickpeas in a food dehydrator for 3 hours at 115 degrees F. (If you want to dry in an oven, preheat the oven to 170 degrees F. Spread out the chickpeas in an even layer on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and dry for approximately 3 hours, stirring the chickpeas twice during drying.) When they’re done, they should be crunchy and crumbly. Set aside to cool.

2. MAKE THE GLAZE. In a blender, whirl together the vinegar, garlic, and cumin until the garlic is very finely chopped. Add the oil and miso and blend until smooth. Transfer the glaze to a small bowl and set aside.

3. FRY THE CHICKPEAS. Heat the oil in a medium skillet over high heat. Add the chickpeas and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring, until they become crispy and begin to brown. Transfer the chickpeas to a paper towel–lined plate to drain, then transfer to a small bowl, and stir in the sumac and salt. Set aside.

4. GRILL THE EGGPLANT. Preheat a gas or charcoal grill to medium-high heat, about 450 degrees F. In a large bowl, toss the eggplant with the oil until coated, and season with salt and pepper. Grill the eggplant for 2 minutes, or until well marked, keeping the lid closed as much as possible, then flip each piece over and brush with the reserved glaze. Cook for 2 minutes more, then turn again, changing the angle of the eggplant so the grill creates a crisscross pattern on the eggplant’s flesh, brushing the second side with a layer of the glaze. Cook 1 minute, flip again, and cook 1 minute more. Transfer the eggplant to a serving platter, garnish with the parsley and sea salt, plus a small handful of the chickpeas. Serve hot.