Eggplant Dip Recipe

Grilled or roasted eggplant dip is a delightful dish that pairs with many other recipes. It’s easy to make and a great way to use many of the herbs and spices you are growing in your garden. You not only enhance the flavors but you reap the medicinal benefits of home grown organic foods that you have grown.

Some people peel the eggplant, but that purple skin of eggplant is the most nutritional part of the vegetable. It contains a powerful antioxidant called nasunin, a type of flavonoid called anthocyanins which is present in red, blue and purple fruits and vegetables. The eggplant is not high in any one vitamin or mineral, but contains small amounts of many essential vitamins and minerals. The list of vitamins and minerals is quite extensive and includes vitamins C, K. B6, thiamine, niacin, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, copper, fiber, folic acid, iron, calcium, potassium and more.

The high fiber content helps with digestion and keeps everything moving along smoothly. The phytonutrients may also improve mental health by increasing blood flow throughout the body and brain.

Add these medicinal herbs to your garden

Eggplant Dip Ingredients

• 1 medium eggplant
• 1 tbsp sea salt
• 1 medium red bell pepper, chopped
• 1 medium yellow bell pepper, chopped
• ½ small chili, chopped
• 1 tbsp honey
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 cup black olives, pitted, chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
• 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
• 1 tbsp marjoram, chopped
• 1 tbsp oregano, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 lemon or lime, juiced

Eggplant Dip Directions

1. Cut the eggplant into small cubes and toss with sea salt and pepper. Cover with towel and leave on sink. Drain for 30 minutes.
2. Rinse and dry eggplant, spray with olive oil, add onion and garlic. Cook in skillet about 15 mins to soften.
3. Add eggplant mixture to medium heat saucepan.
4. Add bell peppers, honey, vinegar, olives, remaining herbs and spices and cook for about 30 minutes or until well cooked.
5. Remove from heat and add lemon/lime juice. Allow to cool down.
6. Serve immediately or store in an airtight container.

Serving Suggestions:

• Spread on gluten-free toast
• Use as a dip alongside carrots, cucumbers, celery, or other seasonal vegetables
• Serve with artichoke
• Served with lamb is a popular Middle Eastern dish.
• Add to your favorite grain i.e. brown rice, quinoa, chia seeds,

Eggplant dip is extremely versatile and a wonderful accompaniment to many dishes. The herbs added to this recipe can easily be modified to use those herbs growing in your own garden. Use them generously. Not only will you enjoy the rich and robust flavors, but the health benefits from each herb is an added bonus.

A family favorite peach salsa recipe with homegrown herbs