Eggplant and Pepper Soup

Mediterranean in May

I didn’t get to try all the recipes I wanted to in May. Further not all recipes were a success and hence I didn’t post them. While I might try more recipes from the book Vegetarian Times Cooks Mediterranean now and then, here is the last recipe I tried.

As always, I reduced the quantity and adapted it to my taste. Perfect for an office day meal with some croutons or garlic toasts.

Ingredients:

1 small eggplant, peeled and cubed
1/2 bell pepper, I used yellow, but can use green or red, diced
1/4 onion, dieed
1-2 garlic cloves, minced
3-4 tbsp olive oil
salt and fresh ground pepper
some dried rosemary
some dried thyme
fresh basil to garnish
1/2 quart water or broth
a few red pepper flakes

Heat 1-2 tbsp oil in a pan. Add cubed eggplant and fry on medium high for 15 minutes, stirring  until browned. Season with salt and pepper and transfer to paper towels.

Add 1-2 tbsp oil to the same pan, add peppers and onions an cook, stirring,  fry about 5 minutes until tender. Add minced garlic and cook for another 2 minutes, stirring as needed.

Add broth (or water), thyme, rosemary, eggplant, and bring to a boil. Reduce flame to low, and simmer, partially covered for 30 minutes.

Transfer to a blender or use a hand held blender to puree the soup. Return the soup to the pan, and heat for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper. Add pepper flakes if using and garnish with mint or basil and serve warm with some garlic toasts.