Piccante Eggplant Sauce

A rich and spicy Italian-style sauce made with roasted eggplant, mushrooms, and Calabrian chiles. Perfect for dipping bread or using as a spread.

4 servings
46 min

Ingredients

  • 1 whole small globe eggplant
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 4 ounces button mushrooms
  • 1 head garlic
  • ¼ cup tomato sauce
  • 2 tablespoons Calabrian chile paste
  • chopped

Cooking Instructions

  1. 1.

    Preheat oven to 425°F. Lightly score eggplant flesh with the tip of a knife. Place skin side down on a rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with 1 Tbsp. oil; season with salt. Toss mushrooms and head of garlic with 1 Tbsp. oil on another rimmed baking sheet; season with salt. Cover tightly with foil. Roast vegetables on both sheets until very tender, 30-35 minutes. Let cool.

    35 min

  2. 2.

    Scoop eggplant flesh from skin; discard skin. Chop eggplant and mushrooms until a coarse purée forms. Squeeze garlic cloves from skins; chop until mashed. Transfer both purées to a small bowl and mix in tomato sauce, chile paste, chopped fresh garlic, and remaining 1/2 cup oil; season with salt.

    10 min

  3. 3.

    Serve with bread for dipping.

    1 min

  4. 4.

    Sauce can be made 2 weeks ahead. Cover and chill.