Grilled Eggplant With Feta And Maras Pepper From 'The Big-Flavor Grill'

Name: Grilled Eggplant With Feta And Maras Pepper From 'The Big-Flavor Grill'
Ingredients: 1 cup crumbled feta; 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil; 2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme; 1 large or 2 small eggplants, about 2 pounds total, cut lengthwise into planks about 1 inch thick; 1/4 cup olive or vegetable oil; Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste; 1/4 cup pomegranate molasses, or 2 tablespoons regular molasses mixed with 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from 1 lime); 1 tablespoon Maras pepper flakes

8 ingredients

4 steps

Ingredients

1 cup crumbled feta
3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons chopped fresh thyme
1 large or 2 small eggplants, about 2 pounds total, cut lengthwise into planks about 1 inch thick
1/4 cup olive or vegetable oil
Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
1/4 cup pomegranate molasses, or 2 tablespoons regular molasses mixed with 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from 1 lime)
1 tablespoon Maras pepper flakes

Directions

1

Build a two-level fire in your grill, which means you put all the coals on one side of the grill and leave the other side free of coals. When the flames have died down, all the coals are covered with gray ash, and the temperature is medium (you can hold your hand 6 inches above the grill for 4 to 5 seconds), you're ready to cook.
2

While the fire heats up, place [the feta, the 3 tablespoons of olive oil, and the thyme] in a medium bowl and toss gently to combine.
3

Rub the eggplant planks on both sides with the [1/4 cup of] oil, sprinkle them generously with the salt and pepper, then put them on the grill directly over the coals and cook until golden brown on the outside and translucent all the way through, about 3 to 4 minutes per side. About 30 seconds before the eggplant planks come off of the grill, brush them with the pomegranate molasses. (Be careful not to overcook these, and try to maintain some rigidity, since the eggplant should not be floppy when cooked.)
4

Remove the eggplant planks from the grill, put it on a platter and sprinkle evenly with the feta mixture, then sprinkle it with the Maras pepper flakes.