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Best Easy Grilled Eggplant with Cumin Recipe

Name: Best Easy Grilled Eggplant with Cumin Recipe
Total time: 30 min
Yield: 150 g
Ingredients: eggplant 2 large; olive oil 2 tbsp; garlic 4 cloves; ground cumin 2 tsp; chili flakes 1 tsp; kosher salt 0.5 tsp; fresh cilantro 2 tbsp

Eggplant is grilled until smoky and seasoned with cumin, chili, and garlic in a Xinjiang-inspired style. This vegetarian, healthy dish is boldly spiced and a unique family side.

Cook 30 min Difficulty EASY 120 kcal

#vegetarian #mediterranean #healthy #family side

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Ingredients

Main ingredients

eggplant 2 large
olive oil 2 tbsp
garlic 4 cloves

Seasonings/Sauce

ground cumin 2 tsp
chili flakes 1 tsp
kosher salt 0.5 tsp
fresh cilantro 2 tbsp

Nutrition summary

Carbohydrates 16 g 53%

Protein 3 g 10%

Fat 5 g 37%

Serving size 150g

Cooking steps

1

Slice each eggplant into 1/2-inch thick slabs lengthwise and lightly sprinkle both sides with kosher salt; let sit 15 minutes, then blot off excess moisture with paper towels.
2

Brush both sides of the eggplant slabs with olive oil and arrange on a medium-hot grill or grill pan preheated to medium-high heat.
3

Grill the eggplant slices for 4-5 minutes per side until well charred and tender, adjusting heat to prevent burning.
4

While eggplant cooks, finely mince garlic and mix with ground cumin and chili flakes in a small bowl.
5

As soon as eggplant comes off the grill, while still hot, sprinkle the cumin-chili-garlic mixture evenly over the slices and let rest 2 minutes for flavors to infuse; garnish with chopped fresh cilantro and serve immediately.

Personalized Q&A

Q. What's the key ingredient in this recipe?

Eggplant is the star ingredient in this recipe, delivering a tender, smoky texture that becomes the perfect base for bold Xinjiang-inspired seasonings like cumin, chili flakes, and garlic.

Q. Why is grilling important for eggplant flavor?

Grilling over medium-high heat caramelizes the surface and creates a smoky depth, which enhances the eggplant's natural sweetness and softens its texture, allowing the spices to cling and shine.

Q. How do I avoid mushy or undercooked eggplant?

To prevent sogginess, salt and blot the sliced eggplant before grilling to remove excess moisture. Watch the heat and flip only once to achieve tender but structured slabs with caramelized edges.

Q. What are the nutrition facts per serving?

Each 150g serving provides roughly 120 kcal, with 16g carbohydrates (53% of calories), 3g protein (10%), and 5g fat (37%), making it a wholesome, balanced, and vegetarian-friendly side.

Best Easy Grilled Eggplant with Cumin Recipe

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