Lately, I’ve been enjoying a relatively new food blog by Rebecca of  From Argentina with Love.  It’s a lovely blog that gives her experience in Argentina and mouth-watering recipes, and mesmerizing photos. 

In one post, she wrote a story about how she and her husband got into an accident with a truck driver.  Interestingly enough, later, the truck driver shared his lunch with them — marinated eggplant, which his wife had made for him.  Rebecca described it as the best eggplant she’d ever tasted.  I very much loved the story and the look and sound of the meal that I decided to make it.

Well, I’m sad to write that my marinated eggplant dish did not turn out well at all.  It seemed relatively simple enough to make, but I apparently took some wrong turns on my cooking adventure road.  I cooked the eggplant too long and I think I left the fire too high that the poor eggplant practically fell apart.  It didn’t look appetizing at all and unfortunately it tasted even worse.  I kept it in the fridge for five days before finally acknowledging that it really belonged in the garbage. 

Later, Rebecca posted another interesting and easy-sounding eggplant recipe — Berenjena Asada/Grilled Eggplant.  I could handle that, I thought to myself.  I set out to make it.  This time, it was smooth sailing for me.  No problems.  And my grilled eggplant tasted delicious!  Yes!

I’m definitely going to try making the marinated eggplant again.  I’m pretty sure that I’ll do a better job the next time around.

Paz

Grilled Eggplant

From Argentina with Love

2 eggplants, washed and cut into 1/2 inch thick rounds

coarse salt

crushed red pepper

oregano

olive oil

Put the eggplant rounds in a roasting pan and sprinkle abundantly with salt.  Let them ’sweat’, and then drain them.  Drizzle generously with olive oil, and sprinkle with oregano and crushed red pepper.  Place on the grill, over indirect heat, until soft in the center — they will appear juicy and have grill marks.

The marinated eggplant that was not meant to be.  I will try to make it again. 

In the meant time, go here to see what it’s really supposed to look like.

12 Responses to “Berenjena Asada/Grilled Eggplant”

1. LynnH on June 2nd, 2008 11:48 pm

   Ewwwww. My eggplant almost always looks/tastes bad. I love to eat the stuff but I can’t seem to get it right. Yet. On confident days I sometimes try again. So far, no luck.

   Tonight in my computer class (community education, mostly retirees learning computers for the first time) I led the students to your site. We learned about how blogs are set up (and they learned that if you hit “print” from a main blog page, it takes 24 pieces of paper before the printer stops).

   They were intrigued most with the asparagus and the burger. Everyone printed out a recipe. You were a hit!!!

2. kat on June 3rd, 2008 12:09 am

   sorry to hear about your adventure. the next time it will turn out great!!

3. Kalyn on June 3rd, 2008 12:16 am

   Well the grilled eggplant looks fantastic. I love eggplant!

4. Lydia (The Perfect Pantry) on June 3rd, 2008 6:33 am

   The grilled eggplant looks wonderful, and I’m sure if you try again you’ll get the marinated version to taste great, too.

5. courtney on June 3rd, 2008 8:09 pm

   I love marinated eggplant. Thanks for the link. Your grilled version looks fantastic with all the spices and herbs.

6. Paz on June 3rd, 2008 8:22 pm

   Hi LynnH: Oh, wow! I’m honored that your class stopped by. Welcome, class!

   Twenty-four pages to print the main page? LOL! Ahhh! I’ve learned something new, today.

   I invite your class to stop by and let me know what they think about the burger and asparagus recipes after they try it. I think it’s really cool that you all stopped by.

   Hi Kat: I’m hoping that things will be different next time around.

   Hi Kalyn: I love eggplant now.

   Hi Lydia: I hope so. I’m going to try again.

   Hi Courtney: Thanks! The grilled version tasted good. Now, I have to practice the marinated one.

   Thanks for stopping by, everyone!

   Paz

7. mari on June 5th, 2008 3:54 pm

   Eggplant! I LOVE eggplant! And this is what I’m making for dinner tonight. All for myself. And wow, isn’t that great that someone used your blog for a class…you are super special, my dear.

8. Bonnie Luria on June 5th, 2008 6:13 pm

   I’ve been missing this other great blog of yours. And that eggplant looks delicious. I love the big red X you put over the image of your version! Very clever girl.

   Grilled eggplant is so far better than eggplant any other way. Even a good baba ganoush roasts or grills the eggplant to bring out that smoky flavor.

   Wonderful posting here Paz. And those Bleu Cheese burgers are making my mouth water….!!!

9. Paz on June 5th, 2008 7:06 pm

   Hi Mari: Let me know how your eggplant turns out. Enjoy! Yes, that is cool that an entire class stopped over.

   Hi Bonnie: Welcome! I really did enjoy the grilled eggplant. I’m glad you could stop by!

   Paz

10. gattina on June 6th, 2008 7:32 am

    Paz, I love Rebecca’s story too! And even love your cooking adventures, we all learn from mistake, don’t we This grilled eggplants are really terrific, can’t wait to see the marinated next round!

11. Christine on June 7th, 2008 2:43 am

    I love your photos here, Paz. I’m sure you know that mistakes are what make us better cooks. Good for you for sharing yours. And thanks for the link to Rebecca’s blog. A new favorite!

12. Paz on June 8th, 2008 3:29 pm

    Hi Gattina: I’m glad you got to visit Rebecca’s site. Yay! I’m looking forward to making the marinated eggplants soon. Wish me luck!

    Hi Christine: Thanks! Well, I’ve been making a whole lotta mistakes, so I’m hoping to become a better and better cook. Actually, I’m learning more and more each time I cook. I’m glad you could visit Rebecca’s site.

    Thanks for stopping by, all!

    Paz xxoo

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