Eggplant is one of my favorites. Growing up, my mom prepared it in rice dishes—cubed, fried, and then cooked in with the rice, or cut into thick rounds and layered at the bottom of the pot below the rice. It seemed to be everywhere, but I never tired of it. It was in the moussaka, maqlooba, and especially in baba ghanouj. This smoky, creamy baba ghanouj recipe remains a staple in my kitchen. Sometimes we’d enjoy eggplant simply fried and served with pita, fresh vegetables, and hummus. But probably my all-time favorite is maqdoos: pickled baby aubergines stuffed with walnuts and garlic. My grandmother made these, and I hope to master them someday too.
Story by Maggie Weaver
Photography by Dave Bryce
Food Styling by Veda Sankaran
Prop Styling by Keith Recker
Recipe by Chef Steve Paul
Wallpaper: Guermantes by Manuel Canovas, Courtesy of Cowtan & Tout
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