Title: Poor Man's Caviar [Baklazhannaya Ikra]
Categories: Appetizer Ethnic
Yield: 6 Servings

2	lb	Eggplant
1	c	Onion; chopped
6	tb	Olive oil
1/2	c	Pepper; finely chopped
1	ts	Garlic; minced
2	lg	Tomatoes; peeled, seeded & cho
		Or 1/4 c. canned puree; chopped
1/2	ts	Sugar
2	ts	Salt
		Fresh ground pepper
2	tb	Lemon juice
		Pumpernickel bread or sesame
		Seed crackers

Preheat the oven to 425. Bake the eggplant in the center of the oven for bout 1 hour.

Meanwhile cook the onions in 4 T. olive oil over moderate heat for 6 to 8 minutes until they are soft but not bown. Stir in the pepper and garlic and cook, stirring, for 5 minutes more. Scrape the entire contents into a food processor bowl. .

Remove the skin from the eggplant. Add to the food processor. Pulse to desired texture - can be coarse, smooth or anything in between, your call. Add the tomatoes, salt, pepper & sugar.

Heat the remaining oil in the skillet and pour in the eggplant mixture. Bring to a boil, stirring constantly, then turn to low heat, cover and simmer for about 1 hour. Remove the cover and cook an additional half hour, stirring frequently, until all the moisture in the pan has evaporated and the mixture is thick enough to hold its shape in a spoon. Stir in 2 T. lemon juice and taste for seasoning. Transfer to a bowl and chill, covered with plastic wrap, until ready to serve.

Spread on squares of pumpernickel bread or sesame crackers.

Serving Ideas : A terrific hors d'oeuvres

NOTES : The amount of olive oil can be reduced, but the texture changes - it is still delicious. This also makes a delicious sandwich filling if there is any left. This is time consuming, but doesn't need a lot of attention, just an occasional stir. Posted to MM-Recipes Digest V4 #5 by LauraG [SMTP:gaggini@gate.usaor.net] on Auguy,, st 11, 1997

Recipe by: T/L Russian Cooking

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