Za’atar Spice Blend
Za’atar is a Middle Eastern spice blend used widely throughout the Middle East, that pairs with anything: dips, breads, vegetables, and meats.
More Than Our Story
Crispy Eggplant with Spiced Yogurt and Pomegranate
Table of Contents
Inspiration
This dish is hands down one of my favourites and not just because it was the first meal my husband made for me, but because it is undeniably delicious. The combination of the crispy texture of the eggplant with the spicy tang of the yogurt and vibrant pomegranate seeds makes this dish a real winner.
Ingredients
Crispy Eggplant
- Vegetable oil
- 2 small, thin eggplants, sliced into ¼-inch thick slices
- Handful, pomegranate seeds
- Handful, chopped cilantro leaves
Spiced Yogurt
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- ¾ teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 2-3 dried red chiles (or more)
- 14 curry leaves
- 1 cup Greek yogurt or skyr
- Sea salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
HEALTHY POMEGRANATE FACTS:
Pomegranates are rich in antioxidants - a great way to support overall health and help prevent disease.
CANCER FIGHTING FACTS:
Pomegranates have cancer fighting properties. Studies have shown the compounds in pomegranate fruit, juice, and oil can help fight inflammation and slow or kill cancer cell growth. They are proven cancer fighters against cancers of the lung, breast, prostate, skin, and colon.
HEART HEALTH:
Pomegranates may help reduce blood pressure and reduce plaque buildup in arteries that can lead to heart attacks and strokes.
Preparations
Crispy Eggplant
- Turn on oven to low heat.
- Pour about ½ inch of oil in a large frying pan.
- Add one layer of eggplant slices.
- Cook on medium-high heat until golden – around two or three minutes.
- Turn the slices and repeat.
- Place on eggplant slices on paper towel to drain excess oil, then place in the oven to keep warm.
- Repeat with the remaining eggplant.
Spiced Yogurt
- Heat the oil in a small pan.
- Add the mustard and cumin seeds, once they start popping, add the chiles and curry leaves and cook for another 10 seconds, or until cooked.
- Pour into the yogurt
- Season with salt and pepper.
Serving
- Place eggplant slices on a large plate.
- Spread the yogurt over the eggplants, or serve beside.
- Sprinkle eggplants with pomegranate seeds and chopped cilantro.
- Serve immediately.
Tips
- If you don’t want to fry the eggplant, you can grill or bake them instead.
- Soak the eggplant in saltwater (1-2 tablespoons of salt for a large bowl) for 20-30 minutes before cooking to reduce the amount of oil absorption during frying. Just make sure to pat the eggplant slices dry before adding to the oil.
SOURCES
- Healthline, Pomegranate: 10 Health and Nutritional Benefits, February 23, 2022, Lauren Panoff, MPH, RD, Medically reviewed by Alissa Palladino, MS, RDN, LD, CPT
Denise
Denise is the most positive person you will ever meet. She takes pleasure in sharing and giving and is selfless beyond imagination. She is also an animal lover and will never miss the opportunity to say hello to any four legged friends along her journey.
Denise is also an advertising and PR wizard and will charm your socks off. In 2021 her journey began becoming an irreplaceable part of More Than Our Story.
Related Recipes
Butternut Squash Soup
A Fall favorite in our household, butternut squash soup is a healthy, hearty, and heavenly dish that is surprisingly uncomplicated to make.
Fennel, Beet and Endive Salad
Unique, refreshing and unbelievably tasty, this salad is more than a crowd pleaser, it's full of cancer fighting ingredients.
Chinese Cucumber Salad
Served as a cold appetizer in Chinese cuisine, this crunchy and refreshing dish has the perfect balance of tangy, spicy, and sweet flavors.
Chili Crisp
Made from a spicy, umami blend of chilis, oil, garlic, nuts and peppercorns - chili crisp is one topper you’re not going to want to miss out on.
Meatless Stuffed Peppers
A delicious, new take on classic stuffed-pepper recipes, this dish is perfect for meat-averse guests or plant-based food lovers.
Chili Crisp Potato Salad
Bringing back memories of picnics and summer barbecues but it’s not your mom’s potato salad, it’s got an addictive twist and a touch of heat!
Roasted Butternut Squash with Ras El Hanout and Manuka
Warming butternut squash recipe with a North African twist.
Soy Wrap Cones
Traditional sushi cones have evolved, with soy wraps emerging as a new, popular and versatile twist on the traditional form.
No-Bake Energy Balls (Your Way)
A quick and easy, no-bake recipe for healthy, delicious energy balls using ingredients you already have in your pantry.
Pattypan with Feta, Mint and Chili
This recipe is quick, easy and so good it’s all you’ll want to eat, it’s also filling enough to work as a main.
Jalapeño Honey Cornbread
You've got to try this incredibly easy and tasty, sweet and spicy, gluten-free, jalapeño honey cornbread recipe.
Cauliflower Fried Rice
A quick and easy, delicious, low-carb, low-calorie recipe that tastes so good you won’t believe it!
Spicy Thai Basil Rice
Looking for a spicy crowd pleaser? This dish can be tailored to meet any dietary restrictions, and is best made with leftover rice. So get ready to heat things up!
Salsa Verde
Salsa verde is a super easy and healthy way to notch up the flavor of any dish. It's perfect with chips, topping a bowl, or as a marinade.
Plant-Based Japchae
This recipe is a plant-based take on the popular Korean stir fry dish made with sweet potato starch noodles.
Plant-Based Onion and Mushroom Soup
This plant-based recipe is filled with vitamins and nutrients and may even helps reduce the risk from certain types of cancer.
Coconut French Toast
Here's a delicious, crispy coconut-crusted French toast recipe that's sure to knock your socks off! Don't forget the real maple syrup!
Fresh Fig Salad
Figs are not only a delicious, low-calorie snack, they also offer a variety of potential health benefits. This recipe for fresh fig salad is sure to please.
Gluten-Free PB & Banana Muffins
Here is a delicious, flourless, gluten-free muffin recipe that uses carob to impart a rich chocolatey flavor.
Herb and Aleppo Seafood Seasoning
This is delicate yet punchy seafood seasoning was created in the MTOS test kitchen. It combines herb forenotes with spicy, citrusy backnotes.
Spicy Tomato Chutney
Looking for something uniquely spicy, delicious, aromatic and fresh? Look no further than our spicy tomato chutney.
Pesto and Champagne Vinegar Dressing
Pesto makes a fantastic salad dressing or condiment, but adding a splash of champagne vinegar really kicks it up!
Immunity Booster Shots
Keep yourself healthy with these inexpensive, quick and easy, immunity booster shots made with everyday ingredients.
Chimichurri
Bursting with fresh herbs, garlic, vinegar and a chili kick, our tantalizing Chimichurri recipe will teleport your taste buds to Argentina.
Crispy Eggplant with Spiced Yogurt and Pomegranate
The combination of the crispy texture of the eggplant with the spicy tang of the yogurt and vibrant pomegranate makes this dish a winner.
Chilean Pebre
Like a South American salsa, this condiment with tomato, chilies, onion, cilantro, garlic, oil, and vinegar goes great with everything!
Butter Poached Honey-Glazed Carrots
One of my childhood favorites! This is an easy and delicious recipe to elevate carrots into something magical.