Eggplant caviar

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PRESENTATION

Weekend gatherings wouldn’t feel the same without the creamy appeal of eggplant caviar on the table. The velvety texture paired with a rich, savory taste makes this vegan eggplant dip a standout choice for anyone who loves a satisfying bite. Families especially like the way it looks—soft, pale purple mixed with golden and green tones from fresh herbs (looks really nice as a Mediterranean appetizer, trust me). No fancy plating needed…it always adds a polished touch to picnics, parties, or as a simple starter before dinner. Since eggplant spread usually brings together so many flavors—smoky, a hint of sweet, touches of smoked paprika eggplant, and that zingy lemon garlic finish—it wins points with both adults and picky kids. Sometimes it pops up labeled as French aubergine caviar or goes by Russian "ikra"—either way, this recipe pretty much travels well to fit every dinner table. You get that feeling of comfort and something just a little bit different…DELICIOUS every single time you serve it.

Busy families go for this eggplant spread over and over because it’s EASY and flexible. Works great as a party dish—kids dip crackers (grown-ups go for that crusty artisan bread), or sometimes you spot it scooped onto grain bowls for a more Mediterranean vibe. That’s the thing—this dip is just as much a favorite as a quick lunch option as it is a casual dinner or holiday appetizer. People often add a quick sprinkle of herbs, maybe swirl with extra virgin olive oil. The texture stays just right for spreading, and the good flavor pops every time, so you rarely see leftovers. Most home cooks say they love the versatility; it shines as a centerpiece but also sits perfectly on a snack board without overpowering. Anytime you want something reliable that’s also a little impressive, eggplant caviar checks every box—vegan-friendly, healthy, always satisfying. Every family table needs at least one great eggplant spread recipe that feels approachable, fits all kinds of meals, and tastes just as great on a busy Tuesday as it does at a special celebration.

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INGREDIENTS
Round eggplants 2.2 lbs (1 kg) - (about 3)
Garlic 1 clove
Lemon juice ½
Sweet Paprika 1 tsp
Mint 4 leaves
Extra virgin olive oil 2 spoonfuls
Fine salt to taste
Preparation

How to prepare Eggplant caviar

To prepare the eggplant caviar, wash the eggplants under plenty of fresh running water, then dry them. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper without piercing them 1. Bake in a static oven preheated to 356°F for at least 60 minutes (or at 320°F for 50 minutes if in a convection oven). After this time 2, remove the eggplants from the oven, and with a knife, remove the skin 3 and

with a spoon, scoop out the flesh inside them 4. Place the obtained flesh on a fine-mesh strainer 5 and press it down with the back of a spoon 6,

so that it releases the excess liquid 7 (alternatively, you can also use a cotton or linen cloth). Put the flesh in a food processor equipped with blades and add the crushed garlic 8 and the oil 9.

Season with salt 10 and also add the mint leaves 11, then blend until you get a thick and homogeneous puree 12.

Transfer everything into a small bowl 13, then squeeze the juice of half a lemon 14 and add it to the puree you obtained 15.

Finally, add the paprika 16 and mix with whisks to blend the ingredients well 17: your eggplant caviar is ready to be served 18, accompanied by fresh vegetables or spread on crunchy crostini.

Storage

You can store the eggplant caviar for a maximum of 3-4 days covered with plastic wrap or in an airtight container.

Suggestion

For this recipe, purple and round eggplants are perfect, as they have sweeter flesh. As an alternative to mint, you can use fresh basil, or chopped coriander or parsley, to vary the taste of the caviar depending on the dish you want to pair it with.

For the translation of some texts, artificial intelligence tools may have been used.