Spanish Eggplant Salad

Spain gives up some of the tastiest dishes on the planet. I've always been in love with Spanish food - simple at its core and supercharged with flavour. Some of my most favourite things to eat are from this part of the World. I remember many years ago (too many to remember), while on a trip to Spain I ate at a small, unassuming taverna one evening - tapas of course, in the beautiful town of L'Estartit in the nation's North East. I remember three things from this taverna.

1. The owner's name was Tony.
2. I ate a smoky, sweet chunky eggplant spread/dip that has stayed with me ever since.
3. I drank three apocalyptic pints of local cider and do not remember leaving the taverna.

To give Tony his dues, he DID warn me that the cider was strong, but as a beer greedy British person, I completely ignored these warnings. Drinking and eating like my life was dependent on it. I kind of remember having a rabbit dish too, but it's the eggplant dish that stayed with me all these years. I'd never really been a fan of aubergine/eggplant, but took Tony's advice and had a try. I couldn't get enough of the stuff, that's as much as I remember.

Creating my chunky, smoky Spanish eggplant salad recipe.

The smokiness comes not from charring the eggplant like you would for a baba ghanoush, but from the wonder ingredient, Spanish smoked paprika. A marvellous product that gives any dish a smack of España, with the tiniest amount. 1 teaspoon takes you from OK to Olé! I also opted to use in the oven instead of grill to create a roasted eggplant salad. The flavours are on point!

You'll see from the recipe that it's a simple dish to put together and the finished salad is part way between a ratatouille and a baba ghanoush. It's absolutely intoxicating! Sweet, tart, silky, chunky and lastly smoky... deliciosa!

I even found a bottle of Spanish cider to accompany, which is the best! It's so dry that you almost need a jug of water with every mouthful. It had been in my spare fridge (beer cupboard) for at least 2 years - bought from a Spanish Deli in LA on sale for 99c! When paired with this salad and almost a whole loaf of crusty bread, it took me right back to Spain - Still can't remember how I got home that night though.

What type of paprika should I use?

For the most authentic flavour, smoked Spanish paprika is the way to go. You can find it in most supermarkets these days and also online. You could use regular sweet or hot Spanish paprika, which does have a good amount of smokiness, but you'll achieve the fullest flavour by using the smoked variety - buy a 3 pack and experiment!

Serving suggestions

Now, there are not many people on the planet who love tapas as much as I do. Not even in Spain. Like most of Europe and the Mediterranean region, little plates are the way to eat, and I am fully on board. If creating a dining experience sounds a little daunting, you need not worry - read my very own guide to tapas and all the simple things you can do to make serving it at home a breeze. You're welcome. Hope you enjoy the salad!

More Spanish recipes

If you liked this recipe then be sure to try some my other delicious Spanish recipes.

• Spanish Chicken
• Spanish Roasted Red Pepper Salad
• Chorizo & Prawns in Fino Sherry
• Spanish Jamón Croquetas
• Asparagus with smoked alioli
• Tortilla Española
• Pork Ribs with Sherry & Garlic
• Pinchos Morunos