The eggplant is also great grilled. The yogurt sauce is my version of tahini.

　　

Ingredients

serves 4 to 6

　　6 Japanese eggplants, halved lengthwise

　　Extra-virgin olive oil

　　1 fresh red chile, thinly sliced on the diagonal

　　Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

　　1/2 cup plain yogurt

　　1/4 cup sesame seeds, toasted, plus more for garnish (see Note, page 34)

　　Juice of 1/2 lemon

　　Fresh mint, for garnish

　　

Step 1

Preheat the oven to 450°F. Put the eggplant in a large shallow bowl and add the oil, chile, salt, and pepper. Toss to coat. Arrange the eggplant on a sheet pan, cut side down, and bake for 40 minutes, until soft. While the eggplant is in the oven, make the yogurt sauce.

　　

Step 2

Combine the yogurt, sesame seeds, and lemon juice in a food processor or blender; doesn’t matter. Blend until creamy and smooth. Season with salt and pepper. When the hot, gooey, sticky eggplant comes out of the oven, drizzle the yogurt sauce on top and garnish with more sesame seeds and some fresh mint. Nice Moroccan dish.

　　Reprinted with permission from Tyler Florence's Real Kitchen by Tyler Florence. © 2003 Clarkson Potter