Piccante Eggplant Sauce
- 1 small globe eggplant, halved lengthwise
- 2 tablespoons plus 1/2 cup olive oil
- 4 ounces button mushrooms, trimmed
- 1 small head of garlic, plus 1/2 small garlic clove, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup tomato sauce
- 2 tablespoons Calabrian chile paste or 1 fresh Fresno chile, chopped
- Preheat oven to 425u0b0F. Lightly score eggplant flesh with the tip of a knife. Place skin side down on a rimmed baking sheet and drizzle with 1 Tbsp. oil; season with salt. Toss mushrooms and head of garlic with 1 Tbsp. oil on another rimmed baking sheet; season with salt. Cover tightly with foil. Roast vegetables on both sheets until very tender, 30-35 minutes. Let cool.
- Scoop eggplant flesh from skin; discard skin. Chop eggplant and mushrooms until a coarse puree forms. Squeeze garlic cloves from skins; chop until mashed. Transfer both purees to a small bowl and mix in tomato sauce, chile paste, chopped fresh garlic, and remaining 1/2 cup oil; season with salt.
- Serve with bread for dipping.
- Sauce can be made 2 weeks ahead. Cover and chill.
olive oil, button mushrooms, head of garlic, tomato sauce, calabrian chile paste
Taken from www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/chile-eggplant-sauce (may not work)