Smoked Miso Eggplant with Sumac-Dusted Feta and Charred Romaine
This dish features tender, smoky eggplant glazed with a deeply savory miso sauce, balanced by the tangy zest of sumac-dusted feta. Charred romaine lettuce adds a refreshing bitterness and smoky crunch, creating a complex and satisfying lunch experience.
Prep Time
90 min
Difficulty
Hard
Servings
2
Calories
450 kcal
Instructions
- 1
Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C). Halve the eggplants lengthwise and score the flesh in a crosshatch pattern.
~5 min - 2
In a small bowl, whisk together miso paste, mirin, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, minced garlic, grated ginger, and chili flakes. This is your miso glaze.
~5 min - 3
Brush the cut side of the eggplant generously with half of the miso glaze. Place the eggplants cut-side up on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
~2 min - 4
Roast the eggplant in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until tender and slightly caramelized. During the last 10 minutes of roasting, brush with the remaining miso glaze.
~35 min - 5
While the eggplant is roasting, prepare the feta. Crumble the feta cheese and toss it with the sumac in a shallow dish.
~2 min - 6
Cut the romaine lettuce head into wedges. Brush lightly with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
~3 min - 7
Heat a grill or a large skillet over medium-high heat. Grill or sear the romaine wedges for 2-3 minutes per side until slightly charred.
~5 min - 8
Once the eggplant is roasted, use a smoking gun filled with wood chips to smoke the eggplant for 5-10 minutes, covering the baking sheet with foil for a few minutes to trap the smoke.
~10 min - 9
To serve, place the smoked miso eggplant on a serving bowl. Arrange the charred romaine lettuce wedges alongside. Sprinkle the sumac-dusted feta over the eggplant and lettuce.
~3 min
Tips
- For an extra layer of flavor, you can briefly pan-sear the scored eggplant flesh side down before glazing and roasting.
- The smoky flavor from the smoking gun can be intense. Adjust the smoking time according to your preference. If you don't have a smoking gun, you can achieve a similar flavor by adding a pinch of smoked paprika to the miso glaze.
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