Baked Brinjal Salad

Baked Brinjal Salad is a delicious and healthy dish that combines roasted eggplant (brinjal) with fresh vegetables and a tangy dressing.

Ingredients:

For Roasted Brinjal:

• 2 medium-sized eggplants (brinjals), cut into cubes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 1 teaspoon paprika (optional)

For Salad:

• 1 large tomato, diced
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 bell pepper (any color), diced
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley or cilantro

For Dressing:

• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

1. Preheat Oven:

   • Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F).

2. Prepare Brinjal:

   • Place the cubed eggplant in a bowl. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and paprika (if using). Toss to coat evenly.
   • Arrange the seasoned eggplant cubes in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

3. Roast Brinjal:

   • Bake the eggplant in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes or until golden brown and tender, flipping them halfway through to ensure even cooking.

4. Prepare Salad:

   • While the eggplant is roasting, prepare the remaining vegetables. In a large salad bowl, combine diced tomato, cucumber, red onion, bell pepper, and chopped parsley or cilantro.

5. Make Dressing:

   • In a small bowl, whisk together extra-virgin olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, salt, and pepper until well combined.

6. Assemble Salad:

   • Once the roasted eggplant cubes are done, remove them from the oven and let them cool slightly.
   • Add the roasted eggplant cubes to the salad bowl with the prepared vegetables.

7. Add Dressing:

   • Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients.

8. Toss and Serve:

   • Gently toss the salad until all the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing.

9. Serve:

   • Transfer the Baked Brinjal Salad to a serving dish or individual plates.
   • Serve immediately as a nutritious and flavorful appetizer or side dish.

Enjoy the delicious and wholesome Baked Brinjal Salad as a healthy addition to your meal! Feel free to customize the salad with your favorite vegetables and adjust the dressing according to your taste preference.