Grilled eggplant

Grilled Eggplant - a simple, delicious, and aromatic recipe, perfect as a side dish or a light appetizer. This dish combines the velvety texture of eggplant with the intense flavors of garlic and olive oil, creating a savory dish that can be served warm or cold.

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 15 minutes
Total time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4

Ingredients:
- 2 large eggplants
- 4-5 cloves of garlic
- 100 ml extra virgin olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Optional: herbs (oregano, basil, rosemary) for extra flavor

Step by step:

1. Preparing the eggplant: Start by washing the eggplants well, then slice them into approximately 1 cm thick slices. You can leave the skin on for a more interesting texture or peel them, depending on your preference. If you want to reduce bitterness, sprinkle a little salt on the slices and let them sit for 15-20 minutes. Then rinse them well and dry them with a kitchen towel.

2. Preparing the garlic: Peel the garlic cloves and slice them thinly. Garlic adds a strong and distinctive flavor, so don’t skimp on it, especially if you’re a fan.

3. The grill: Preheat the stovetop grill to medium heat. Make sure it is well oiled to prevent the eggplant from sticking. You can use a brush to apply a little oil to the grill.

4. Cooking the eggplant: Place the eggplant slices on the grill and let them cook for about 5-7 minutes on each side, or until they become soft and have that beautiful grill mark. Add the garlic slices on top of the eggplant in the last minutes of cooking to infuse them with its flavor, but be careful not to burn them.

5. Assembling the dish: After the eggplants are done, remove them from the grill and place them in a deep dish. Alternate layers of eggplant with garlic slices, drizzling each layer with a little olive oil, salt, and pepper. If desired, you can also add some herbs to enhance the flavors.

6. Serving: This dish can be served immediately, but it’s even more delicious if you let it sit for a while, allowing the flavors to meld. You can serve it as an appetizer alongside toasted bread or as a side dish for a juicy steak. You can also add a splash of balsamic vinegar for a note of acidity that will perfectly balance the taste.

Suggestions for variations:
- If you want to add extra flavor, you can sprinkle some crumbled feta cheese or grated parmesan on top of the eggplant before serving.
- You can experiment with spices like smoked paprika or cumin for a more exotic approach.
- Instead of garlic, you can use thinly sliced red onion, which will add a pleasant sweetness to the dish.

This grilled eggplant recipe is not only simple and quick but also versatile, allowing it to be adapted to your preferences. Enjoy every bite of this healthy, colorful, and flavorful dish!