Eggplant Spread (Baklazhannaia Ikra) Recipe
This Eggplant Spread, also known as Baklazhannaia Ikra, is a delightful Russian vegetable spread bursting with flavors of eggplant, bell peppers, carrots, onion, and tomatoes. It’s a perfect appetizer or snack to enjoy with crusty bread or as a dip.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
- Yield: 6 servings 1x
- Category: Appetizer
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Russian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Scale
Eggplant:
- 2 lbs eggplant, peeled and diced
Vegetable Mixture:
- 2 bell peppers (preferably red, yellow, or orange), diced
- 2–3 medium carrots, grated
- 1 medium onion, finely diced
Additional Ingredients:
- 3 medium tomatoes, diced
- 1 tsp salt (or to taste)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- Canola oil or extra light olive oil for sautéing
Instructions
- Cook the Eggplant: Heat 3-4 tablespoons of oil in a large non-stick pan over medium-high heat. Add the diced eggplant and sauté, stirring occasionally until the eggplant softens and releases moisture, about 15-20 minutes. Add more oil as needed to prevent sticking.
- Prepare the Vegetable Mixture: In a separate large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat. Add the diced bell pepper, grated carrots, and finely diced onion. Sauté for 10-15 minutes until the vegetables are golden and softened.
- Combine Ingredients: Once the eggplant is softened, add the sautéed vegetable mixture to the eggplant pan. Stir well to combine.
- Add Tomatoes and Simmer: Add the diced tomatoes to the pan and season with 1 tsp of salt and 1/2 tsp of black pepper. Reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and let it simmer for about 1 hour, stirring occasionally. The spread is ready when there is no liquid left, and the mixture has a spreadable, chunky consistency.
- Serve: Let the spread cool slightly before serving with crusty bread or as a flavorful dip.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 400mg
- Fat: 8g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 6g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 3g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Keywords: Eggplant Spread, Baklazhannaia Ikra, Russian recipe, vegetable spread, appetizer, dip
