Grilled Eggplant Kebabs with Turkish Flair

Ingredients

• 2 large eggplants (800g) 2 large eggplants (800g)
• 1/4 cup (60ml) olive oil 1/4 cup (60ml) olive oil
• 4 cloves of garlic, minced 4 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika 1 teaspoon paprika
• 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander 1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 cup (240g) Greek yogurt 1 cup (240g) Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
• Warm pita bread, for serving Warm pita bread, for serving

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 220 kcal / 920 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 15g, 3g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 20g, 10g
• Protein: 5g
• Fiber: 8g
• Salt: 0.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   Preheat the grill to medium-high heat.
2. 2.
   Slice the eggplants into 1/2-inch thick rounds.
3. 3.
   In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, paprika, coriander, oregano, salt, and pepper.
4. 4.
   Brush both sides of the eggplant slices with the marinade.
5. 5.
   Grill the eggplant slices for 3-4 minutes per side, or until they are tender and have grill marks.
6. 6.
   In a separate bowl, mix the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper to make the yogurt sauce.
7. 7.
   Serve the grilled eggplant kebabs with the yogurt sauce and warm pita bread.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Eggplants — Make sure to choose eggplants that are firm and shiny. Before grilling, sprinkle some salt on the eggplant slices and let them sit for 10 minutes to remove any bitterness. Rinse and pat dry before marinating.

Tips & Tricks

• For a smokier flavor, you can grill the eggplant slices over charcoal instead of a gas grill.
• Add a pinch of sumac or Aleppo pepper to the yogurt sauce for an extra burst of flavor.
• Serve the kebabs with a side of fresh salad or roasted vegetables for a complete meal.
• If you don't have Greek yogurt, you can use strained regular yogurt as a substitute.
• Experiment with different spices like cinnamon or cayenne pepper to customize the flavor profile.

Serving advice

Serve the Grilled Eggplant Kebabs on a platter, garnished with fresh parsley and a drizzle of olive oil. Accompany them with warm pita bread and the tangy yogurt sauce on the side.

Presentation advice

Arrange the grilled eggplant slices on the platter in a circular pattern, creating an inviting display. Place a small bowl of the yogurt sauce in the center and sprinkle some chopped parsley over the kebabs for an added pop of color.