Russian Ikra (Eggplant Caviar Spread)
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Author:
Recipe type: Appetizer
Cuisine: Russian/Ukrainian
Serves: 8 cups
Ingredients
  • 2 large aubergines (fat eggplants), about 2 ½ lbs
  • 2 large red bell peppers
  • 1 large carrot
  • ½ cup chopped dill
  • 2 tablespoon distilled white vinegar
  • 2 tablespoons white sugar
  • 1 can (15 oz) tomato sauce
  • ¾ cup water
  • 1 large onion
  • 4 cloves garlic
  • 2 teaspoons salt to remove bitterness from eggplants
  • 1 teaspoon salt to season
  • ½ teaspoon ground black pepper
  • ½ cup olive oil
Instructions
  1. Wash eggplants and pat dry with a paper towel. Slice across lengthwise into ½ inch thick, and cut into ½ inch cubes.
  2. Place in a colander and add 2 teaspoons salt. Mix using your hands until salt is evenly distributed. Set aside for 15 minutes to “sweat” and to remove most of the bitterness.
  3. Meanwhile, prepare the rest of the ingredients. Wash bell peppers. The best and easiest way to cut bell-peppers is to slice the sides first leaving the center with the core and seeds.
  4. Slice bell peppers into ½ inch strips then dice into ½ inch.
  5. Peel carrot and grate.
  6. Peel onion and chop.
  7. Peel garlic and mince.
  8. After at least 15 minutes has passed, rinse eggplant cubes under cold running water. Use fingers to evenly rinse everything and remove most of the salt and seeds. Set aside to drain.
  9. Heat a large sauté pan or cooking pot under medium high heat. Add olive oil and sauté onions and garlic for 4 minutes, until onions are translucent and garlic turned slightly brown.
  10. Add the bell peppers and sauté for 2 minutes until slightly limp.
  11. Add eggplant cubes and grated carrots into the pan and sauté for 5 minutes until eggplant has softened.
  12. Pour in a can of tomato sauce. Mix.
  13. Add dill, salt, ground black pepper, vinegar, and white sugar. Mix.
  14. Pour 1 cup water.
  15. Cover pot and bring to a boil. Simmer under medium low heat for 45 minutes stirring occasionally until the eggplants and bell peppers are very soft and most of the liquid has evaporated.
  16. Remove from heat and allow to cool before serving.
Recipe by Russian Filipino Kitchen at http://www.russianfilipinokitchen.com/2015/01/15/russian-ikra-eggplant-caviar-spread/