APPETIZERS AND DIPS - EGGPLANT ANTIPASTO

Eggplant Antipasto

Original Recipe Yield 6 cups

Ingredients

• 1 large eggplant, peeled and cubed
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1/3 cup chopped green bell pepper
• 3/4 cup sliced mushrooms
• 1/3 cup olive oil
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup sliced stuffed green olives
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 (6 ounce) can tomato paste
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 1/2 teaspoons white sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon dried basil
• 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
2. In a medium baking dish, mix the eggplant, onion, garlic, green bell pepper, mushrooms and olive oil.
3. Cook covered 10 minutes in the preheated oven.
4. Remove the eggplant mixture from the oven and stir in the water, sliced stuffed green olives, salt, tomato paste, red wine vinegar, sugar, basil, oregano and pepper.
5. Continue baking 30 minutes, or until the eggplant is tender.
6. Chill the mixture in the refrigerator 8 hour or overnight before serving.

Good as appetizer over plain crackers or pita’s and also good over rice or pasta !

Balsamic vinegar can be added if you like to kick up a little