Salad of Fresh Herbs and Greens with Fried Eggplant
A vibrant Mediterranean-inspired salad featuring crispy fried eggplant topped with a fresh herb mixture of parsley, arugula, basil, sorrel, mint, and chives, dressed in a tangy cumin-sumac vinaigrette.
Ingredients
- •1 whole shallot
- •2 tablespoons Champagne vinegar or fresh lemon juice
- •¼ teaspoon ground sumac
- •¼ teaspoon ground cumin
- •7 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- •1½ cups fresh Italian parsley leaves
- •1½ cups arugula
- •1 cup fresh basil leaves
- •1 cup fresh sorrel or baby spinach leaves
- •1 cup fresh mint leaves
- •⅓ cup fresh chives
- •⅓ cup fresh chervil leaves
- •2 whole eggplants
- •1 to taste coarse kosher salt
- •1 to taste nasturtium blossoms
Cooking Instructions
- 1.
Whisk shallot, vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon sumac, and cumin in small bowl. Gradually whisk in 4 tablespoons oil. Season dressing with salt and pepper. Combine herbs and greens in large bowl. (Dressing and salad can be made 2 hours ahead. Cover separately and chill.)
10 min
- 2.
Using vegetable peeler, remove eggplant peel in vertical strips every 1 to 1 1/2 inches, making striped pattern. Cut eggplants crosswise into 1/3-inch-thick rounds. Place rounds in large colander. Sprinkle generously with kosher salt and toss to coat evenly. Let stand until rounds soften and release moisture, tossing occasionally, about 1 hour. Rinse rounds, 1 at a time, and press to release excess moisture. Arrange rounds in single layer on several thicknesses of paper towels. Pat dry with additional towels.
60 min
- 3.
Heat 3 tablespoons oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, fry eggplant until golden and soft, adding more oil by tablespoonfuls as needed, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer eggplant to paper towels to drain.
15 min
- 4.
Overlap eggplant rounds on platter. Sprinkle with pepper and more sumac, if desired. Toss herbs and greens with dressing; season to taste with salt and pepper. Mound salad atop eggplant. Garnish with nasturtium blossoms, if desired, and serve.
5 min
- 5.
*A fruity and acidic seasoning powder made from ground dried sumac berries. It is available at Middle Eastern markets and by mail from Adriana's Caravan (adrianascaravan.com).
