This is more of a how-to than a specific recipe. The rich, meaty flesh of eggplant pairs superbly with myriad toppings, so just choose your favourites. I’ve listed what we used with additional suggestions below.
Serves: 6–8
INGREDIENTS
2 large purple eggplants
olive oil
sea salt and ground pepper
Topping
tahini
cooked beetroot, cut into thin wedges
thinly sliced cured copa
roasted cherry tomatoes
soft goat’s or feta cheese
pistachios
barberries or finely chopped cranberries
small basil leaves
olive oil for drizzling
dukkah
METHOD
Preheat a ridged grill or large sauté pan.
Cut the eggplants in half through the stem then, cut each slice in half again (4 slices per eggplant).
Brush with oil and season both sides. Grill until tender but not falling apart. Place on kitchen towels until ready to assemble.
To assemble: Spread the eggplant slices with a little tahini, then add each topping as follows: beetroot, copa, cherry tomatoes, cheese, pistachios, barberries, basil, olive oil and then dukkah. Serves 6–8.
Other additions: Fried chickpeas, fried capers, prosciutto, thinly sliced salami, mozzarella, shaved parmesan, gorgonzola, mint, dill, toasted pinenuts, flaked almonds, pitted olives, good anchovies.

Keep up to date with
dish weekly recipes,
food news, and events.
latest issue:
Issue #119
Welcome to 2025 and a brand-new year of whipping up delicious recipe withdish! We start the year right with issue 119, jam-packed with easy, mouthwatering meals to make at home. From stunning salads to quick and tasty one-pan chicken dishes, to spectacular sweet treats. We have duos covered with our dinners for two, plenty of wonderful recipes for easy flavour-packed entertaining and make the most of the abundance of fresh seasonal produce. We finish off with a whistle-stop tour of South Australia’s wine country and a round-up of our top tipples from 2024. The latest issue of dish is on sale NOW at all good bookstores and supermarkets – don’t miss it!