A delicious roasted eggplant recipe with Oriental aromas by chef Giorgos Tsoulis! This vibrant dish brings together roasted eggplant, fragrant basmati rice, a smoky harissa-pepper sauce, and a creamy whipped feta mousse. It’s a flavorful balance of spice, richness, and freshness—perfect for a satisfying vegetarian main or a stunning side.
Cut each eggplant into four pieces, slicing down from the top but stopping just before the stem so the pieces stay connected
Place them in a baking dish, drizzle with olive oil, and season with salt and pepper.
Roast for 30–35 minutes, or until tender and slightly caramelized.
For the basmati rice:
In a pot of boiling water, add the basmati rice with salt, pepper, and a drizzle of olive oil. Stir once, reduce heat, cover, and simmer until the rice is cooked and fluffy. Drain if needed.
For the harissa sauce:
In a food processor, add the harissa, Florina peppers, a little olive oil, salt, and pepper. Blend until smooth. Adjust seasoning to taste. Set aside.
For the feta mousse:
After cleaning the food processor, add the yogurt and feta, and blend until smooth and creamy.
For the assembly:
Spoon a layer of basmati rice onto each serving plate.Place one eggplant on top, gently fanning it open over the rice and top with a generous spoonful of harissa sauce and a dollop of feta mousse.Finish with a drizzle of olive oil and freshly ground pepper.
Enjoy!
Notes
Chef’s tip: Add a little olive oil when boiling the rice to prevent it from sticking, as well as to give it some extra flavor.