Arugula Salad with Roasted Eggplant and Sweet Pomegranate Dressing

Name: Arugula Salad with Roasted Eggplant and Sweet Pomegranate Dressing
Yield: 4 servings
Ingredients: 1 2 medium eggplants; 1 1/4 cup peanut and olive oil, combined; 1 Sea salt; 1 2 tsp whole fennel seeds; 1 1 clove garlic; 1 1/4 cup balsamic vinegar; 1 1/4 cup honey; 1 Juice of 1 lemon; 1 1 Tbsp Dijon mustard; 1 1/4 cup pomegranate molasses; 1 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil; 1 4 large handfuls arugula leaves; 1 1 small red onion, thinly sliced; 1 2 cups cherry tomatoes, sliced; 1 Salt and pepper; 1 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts; 1 1/2 cup fresh pomegranate seeds

From the kitchen of Carly

Roasted eggplant gets sweet and tangy with a pomegranate dressing that balances honey, balsamic, and crushed fennel. Tossed over peppery arugula, it's sophisticated enough for dinner guests but easy enough for weeknight eating.

Prep: n/a
Cook: n/a
Total: n/a
Servings: 4
Difficulty: medium

Ingredients

4 servings

12 medium eggplants
11/4 cup peanut and olive oil, combined
1Sea salt
12 tsp whole fennel seeds
11 clove garlic
11/4 cup balsamic vinegar
11/4 cup honey
1Juice of 1 lemon
11 Tbsp Dijon mustard
11/4 cup pomegranate molasses
11/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
14 large handfuls arugula leaves
11 small red onion, thinly sliced
12 cups cherry tomatoes, sliced
1Salt and pepper
11/2 cup toasted pine nuts
11/2 cup fresh pomegranate seeds

Instructions

Preheat the oven to 400°F.
Peel and cut the eggplants into thick rounds of about 1 inch thick, brush both sides with oil, sprinkle with sea salt and place on a shallow baking sheet. Place in the oven to roast until golden and cooked through, about 15 minutes. Remove, cool completely and slice each round in half. Set aside.
Using a mortar and pestle, crush the fennel seeds and garlic to make a paste. Add the balsamic vinegar, honey, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, pomegranate molasses and olive oil. Whisk together to emulsify the dressing. Set aside.
In a shallow serving platter lay the arugula leaves. Sprinkle the onion, tomatoes, salt and pepper on top. Toss to combine. Scatter the eggplant slices on the salad.
Drizzle some dressing all over. Garnish with pine nuts and pomegranate seeds. Serve immediately, with crusty olive bread and olives on the side.