Poor man's caviar [baklazhannaya ikra]

 
                  Poor Man's Caviar  [Baklazhannaya Ikra]
 
 Recipe By     : T/L Russian Cooking
 Serving Size  : 6    Preparation Time :2:30
 Categories    : Appetizers                       Ethnic
                 
 
   Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
 --------  ------------  --------------------------------
    2      pounds        eggplant
    1      cup           onion -- chopped
    6      tablespoons   olive oil
      1/2  cup           pepper -- finely chopped
    1      teaspoon      garlic -- minced
    2                    large tomatoes -- peeled, seeded & cho
                         OR  1/4 c. Canned Puree -- chopped
      1/2  teaspoon      sugar
    2      teaspoons     Salt
                         fresh ground pepper
    2      tablespoons   lemon juice
                         Pumpernickel Bread OR Sesame
                         Seed Crackers
 
 Preheat the oven to 425. Bake the eggplant in the center of the oven for bout
 1 hour.
 
 Meanwhile cook the onions in 4 T. olive oil over moderate heat for 6 to 8
 minutes until they are soft but not bown. Stir in the pepper and garlic and
 cook, stirring, for 5 minutes more. Scrape the entire contents into a food
 processor bowl..
 
 Remove the skin from the eggplant. Add to the food processor. Pulse to
 desired texture - can be coarse, smooth or anything in between, your call.
 Add the tomatoes, salt, pepper & sugar.
 
 Heat the remaining oil in the skillet and pour in the eggplant mixture. Bring
 to a boil, stirring constantly, then turn to low heat, cover and simmer for
 about 1 hour. Remove the cover and cook an additional half hour, stirring
 frequently, until all the moisture in the pan has evaporated and the mixture
 is thick enough to hold its shape in a spoon. Stir in 2 T. lemon juice and
 taste for seasoning. Transfer to a bowl and chill, covered with plastic wrap,
 until ready to serve. 
 
 Spread on squares of pumpernickel bread or sesame crackers.
 
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 Serving Ideas : A terrific hors d'oeuvres
 
 NOTES : The amount of olive oil can be reduced, but the texture  changes  -
 it is still delicious. This also makes a delicious sandwich filling if there
 is any left. This is time consuming, but doesn't need a lot of attention,
 just an occasional stir.