Eggplant roasted with tamari and apple cider, mixed baby kale and diced tomato wrapped in warm, freshly made, whole wheat chapati. Wrap in a few rice paper rolls for a lighter version. Leave out the chapati, chop the roasted eggplant, double the greens, tomato and dressing for a light salad.
For the chapati
1/2 cup heaping whole wheat flour
1/4t coarse sea salt
1/4 cup warm water
1T cooking oil
For the eggplant
1T cooking oil
1/4t coarse sea salt
1T tamari
1t fresh garlic, minced
2T apple cider
1/4t black pepper
A dash liquid smoke (or to taste)
1 large eggplant (enough to make about 8, 1/4″ slices)
A dash liquid smoke
Sea salt and black pepper to taste
1T nutritional yeast
Optional: Some fennel seeds would make for a traditional flavour combination.
For the kale and tomato
1/2 cup diced tomato
1/4t coarse sea salt
1/2T balsamic vinegar
1/2t prepared brown mustard
1 cup mixed baby kale (or other greens)
Start with the chapati, then make the eggplant. Mix the dry ingredients and add the water. Knead until a smooth elastic dough forms. Set aside in a bowl for about 15 minutes to let the dough rest, covered with a warm, wet tea towel.
While the dough rests, make the eggplant. Preheat the oven to 450F. Trim the ends of the eggplant and slice length-wise in 1/4″ strips. Start by cutting the eggplant in half, and then cut in slices. Slice as evenly as possible to ensure even cooking. Aim for 8 slices if you can in case you loose a few during the cooking process. Trim the outside skin of the eggplant on the last slice, but don’t peel entirely.
Whisk the cooking oil, tamari, sea salt, apple cider, and liquid smoke. Toss the sliced eggplant in the mixture until well coated. On a lightly oiled, warm roasting pan or baking sheet, roast the eggplant is nicely browned, turning once. Expect 8-12 minutes. Ovens vary; use the colour and texture of the eggplant as a guide. Remove from heat and set aside to cool.
While the eggplant roasts, roll the dough out on a floured board to a small flat circle (about 8″). Brush with 1t oil. Fold into a half circle. Brush with 1t oil. Fold into a triangle. Roll the wrap out to about a 12″ circle. It should be fairly thin (a bit more than 1/8″). Brush with the last 1t oil.
With the chapati ready to go, toss the diced tomato with the sea salt. Mix the vinegar and mustard. Add to the tomato. Let stand 2-3 minutes while you finish the chapati.
Bring a large frying pan to heat on medium high (or use a griddle if you have one). Add the wrap (dry side down) and fry for 1-2 minutes. Turn and fry the other side. The chapati will be done when it’s lightly browned and lightly dry. Don’t overcook. It will make the wrap harder to roll. Remove from heat, let the wrap cool for a few seconds. Rub very lightly between your palms to soften if necessary.
Toss the kale greens with the tomato. Layer the eggplant slices into the wrap as evenly as possible, slightly off center toward you. Pack them down into the wrap by hand. Be careful not to overfill. Reserve extra eggplant. Sprinkle with nutritional yeast. Add the kale. Add the tomato. Wrap like you would a burrito.
Fold in the sides perpendicular to the filling gently, fold up the bottom up over the filling. Tuck the filling gently with the bottom of the wrap — but not too hard or you may split your wrap if it’s overfilled. Roll the whole thing over to close the wrap. Let stand briefly (less than a minute) before serving, and then enjoy!