Roasted Eggplant Mushroom Salad

Savour the flavours of summer with this vibrant and hearty Roasted Eggplant and Mushroom Salad. A medley of tender eggplant, crispy mushrooms, and a zesty herb dressing will delight your taste buds.

This is a salad that’s both satisfying and refreshing!

Ingredients I used:

• 1 large eggplant, cubed
• ITALIAN OYSTER mushrooms @threecfarms
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• salt and pepper to taste
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• Optional toppings: crumbled feta cheese, toasted pine nuts, or sliced cherry tomatoes.

Preparation:

Preheat your oven to 400°F.

Cut the eggplant into bite-sized cubes. Place the cubes on a baking sheet and drizzle with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.

Season with salt and pepper to taste. Toss the eggplant to evenly coat it in oil and seasoning.

Clean and slice the mushrooms. Place them on a separate baking sheet and drizzle with the remaining olive oil.

Season with salt and pepper. Toss to coat.

Place both baking sheets in the preheated oven.

Roast the eggplant for about 25-30 minutes or until it becomes tender and slightly browned.

The mushrooms should take about 15-20 minutes to become golden and slightly crispy.

While the vegetables are roasting, prepare the dressing. Toss gently to coat the vegetables evenly with the dressing.

In a small bowl, whisk together the minced garlic, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, mint, and basil. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

Once the vegetables are roasted, remove them from the oven and allow them to cool slightly.

In a large mixing bowl, combine the roasted eggplant, mushrooms and dressing.

If desired, add optional toppings such as crumbled feta cheese, toasted pine nuts or sliced cherry tomatoes.

Mix them into the salad. Let the salad sit for about 10-15 minutes to allow the flavours to meld together.

Serve the roasted eggplant and mushroom salad at room temperature as a side dish or a light main course.

Enjoy!