Roasted Eggplant Salad with Moroccan Flavors

I've been traveling so much that I haven't had time to cook hardly at all, which for me is nearly a tragedy!  And, when I have been cooking, it's been a bit rushed so I make my old standbys - most of which are already posted on this blog.  Tonight I had a lovely time creating something new and it was so much fun.  It was one of those cases where I had several things in the fridge that really needed using and I was in the mood for some spice. So, I cooked up a semi-Moroccan meal with beef meatballs in a spicy tomato sauce, some rice pilaf and this lovely roasted Eggplant Salad.  It is full of caramelized chunks of eggplant, red pepper, red onions and garlic cloves tossed in olive oil, cumin, turmeric and coriander. After it has finished cooking in the oven, you drizzle lemon juice on top and that's it - you have a delicious salad with minimal fuss full of those exotic spices that take you far away from your own kitchen!

Roasted Eggplant Salad with Moroccan Flavors

2 Small Eggplants, top and bottom cut off and cut into big chunks

2 Red Peppers, stems removed, deseeded and cut into big pieces

2 small Red Onions, ends removed, peeled and cut into big wedges

6 garlic cloves peeled (cut in half if large)

1/4 cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

1 teaspoon Cumin Seed

1/2 teaspoon Turmeric

1/2 teaspoon Ground Coriander

1 teaspoon Salt

Juice of one small Lemon or 1/2 of a big Lemon

Heat oven to 400 degrees,  In a large bow, mix together the Olive Oil, Cumin Seed, Turmeric, Ground Coriander and Salt.  Toss in Eggplant, Peppers, Onions and Garlic to coat evenly with the spiced oil.  Pour onto a baking sheet and cook for 40 minutes, turning about every 15 minutes.  Remove from oven and put into a serving bowl. Drizzle with lemon juice, toss and serve warm.  Can also be served cold.

Five Element Analysis

Eggplants belong to the Water Element and they are also a mucilaginous food so they are very good for your intestines.  The Red Pepper adds the Fire Element. The Red Onions bring in the Metal Element and so do the spices. The Cumin and Turmeric also reduce inflammation in the body. The Olive Oil and Lemon Juice contribute the Wood Element. Only the Earth Element is missing, which is why I served this salad with some beef meatballs but a sweet dessert is also a good idea to create a Five Element balance.