Grilled eggplant, fresh vegetable and chickpea salad with za’atar

9:50 AM



For most homealone lunches I prefer to have salads or soups. Like many of you cooking for self is not something I enjoy and some dats even whipping up a soup seems like a task. Those days fresh salads come into my rescue. Recently hubby went to Chennai for a week and I took a break from the kitchen chores. Apart from cooking the baby’s food I prefer not to enter there and lunch comprised of some fresh salads with grilled veggies, paneer and cheese.

This is one salad that I particularly enjoyed. There is not much recipe but the za’atar gave it an extra edge. For all those who does not know what za’atar is I will refer this link. In short it is a middle eastern spice which is a mix of several dried herbs like thyme, oregano, marjoram, toasted sesame seeds, salt and sumac. This has a very nutty taste and a lovely green color. I got my batch from Israel which Hubby got for me on his last trip there. In my pantry this is mostly used as a topping for focaccia bread and manakeesh or as a seasoning for salads and cocktail samosas. If you don’t have this try adding dried herbs like oregano or mixed Italian seasoning and top it with dry roasted sesame seeds.

The extra crunch of the fresh vegetables like cucumber, carrots, tomato, corn and onion goes really well with this soft grilled eggplant and the nutty flavours of za’atar. Here is the quick recipe.


Grilled eggplant, fresh vegetable and chickpea salad with za’atar 
(serves 2)

Ingredients:
Boiled chickpeas: ½ cup
Cucumber: 1 medium (less seed is better)
Onion: 1 small
Tomato: 1; medium
Boiled corn: ¼ cup
Carrot: 1 small
Olives: 5-6
Eggplant: 1 small
Olive oil: 1 tbsp+1 tsp
Za’atar: 1tbsp
salt
Lime: 1

Method:
Slice the eggplants in thin rounds. Smear little salt and grill it using 1 tsp oil on both the sides till done. Keep aside.

In a small bowl take 1 tbsp oil and lemon juice. Mix well and add salt according to your taste.

Peel and dice the cucumber and carrots in small pieces. Chop tomato in the similar manner.

Peel and slice onion in half moon shape. Sprinkle little salt on it and mix to separate the layers.

In a big bowl take all the cucumber pieces, chopped tomato, sliced onion, boiled corn and chickpeas and olives. Pour in the oil-lemon juice mixture. Season with salt and add za’atar, mix well.

Serve topped with the grilled eggplants and some more sprinkling of  za’atar.


I washed mine with a chilled glass of rose drink. 


Refreshing!!!


With this am off for a refreshing trip to Puri in Orissa. See you after a week.


Events:
Sending this to this month's monthly mingle; scintillating salads. Started by Meeta and Hosted this month at Divya's Sil se.


Tags:
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27 comments

  1. lovely recipe of grilling..crispy!

    My blog's name is changed from Tasty Treat to Erivum Puliyum

    URL http://erivumpuliyumm.blogspot.com

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  2. I love salad.......This one seems so delectable.
    Thanks for sharing....Bookmarked.

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  3. eggplant in a salad...thats quite a recipe! Have a great time in Orissa!

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  4. very colorful and healthy salad...

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  5. I like the grilled brinjal idea in your salad! Something delicious!

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  6. lovely and delicious salad..quite interesting too..glad to follow u..

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  7. Delicious looking grilled eggplant. Wonderfully prepared.

    Deepa
    Hamaree Rasoi

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  8. Hi ,how r you:)did not see over at mine for sometime.I have gotten used to your visits:)this salad recipe looks refreshing.enjoy your trip to Orissa :)

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  9. Very very nice, great combination of flavours !! Must try !!

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  10. Lovely...i like those grilled or lightly pan fired brinjal slices with any kinda seasoning .

    The salad looks like a great meal...i would need a slice of whole meal bread with it though :)

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  11. Quite a colourful,filling and beautiful salad, love those grilled eggplant..

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  12. Salad looks delicious with all the veggie n spices

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  13. wonderful recipe.quite healthy one and flavourful too

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  14. very interesting recipe...have a nice trip...

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  15. the grilled eggplants mustrasre fabulous with the crunchy veggies!

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  16. first time here ...nice collection of recipes ......very healthy and yummy too....glad to follow you.
    Visit my blog
    www.rajafood.blogspot.com

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  17. Hi friend,
    glad to follow you :-)
    I have changed my blog's name from TASTY TREAT to ERIVUM PULIYUM
    URL http://erivum puliyumm.blogspot.com
    Please unfollow the previous URL and follow me on my prsent URL for my latest updates for your valued suggestions and comments on my post !!Hope you will cooperate..
    Thanx in advance,
    julie

    ReplyDelete
  18. Very beautiful, healthy, yummy and flavourful salad. Wonderful presentation.

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  19. hi sayantani. lovely salad and healthy to eat. i must get that za'tar too.. these are the ingredients that makes a difference to salad tastes

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  20. I love za'atar! I think it makes everything taste even better. Great recipe.

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