Eggplant Caviar Recipe (Russian style) Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy free - The Yummy Bowl (2024)

Eggplant Caviar is a terrific smoky roasted eggplant dip! Perfect to spread over crackers for an easy, healthy, delicious appetizer.

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Eggplant Caviar Recipe (Russian style) Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy free - The Yummy Bowl (1)

About This Spread

It’s another traditional dish that I got from my mom and its roots are coming from Ukraine/Russia however many other cuisines use a similar recipe for this kind of spread. This is my mom's version of her favorite eggplant spread.

Also, here's a very similar spread recipe but it's made with squash and with a slightly different method.

Oh, and don’t be confused by the name ‘’caviar’’, it has nothing to do with the fish eggs.

The eggplant caviar itself can be served either pureed or cut into small pieces which may have some similarities with the expensive caviar.

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Craving More Eggplant Recipes?

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  • Baked Eggplant Parmesan
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Instructions

Roast (or grill) the eggplants: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).

Wash the eggplant, pat dry, and poke the skin sides of the eggplants with the tines of a fork all over.

Brush with oil and transfer to a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Eggplant Caviar Recipe (Russian style) Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy free - The Yummy Bowl (6)

Bake for 30 minutes, or until completely cooked through and very soft.

Make sure to turn the eggplant a few times while baking.

Eggplant Caviar Recipe (Russian style) Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy free - The Yummy Bowl (7)

After removing the eggplants from the oven, wrap them in foil and place them on a plate or cooling rack.

Then, once cool to the touch without burning your fingers, start peeling the eggplant's skin off. At this point, it should come off quite easily.

Slice the eggplants into small cubes.

Prepare the rest of the ingredients. In a medium pan, add olive oil and saute onion until translucent for about 5 minutes.

Stir in the tomato sauce and reduce the heat. Cook for 5 minutes more.

Eggplant Caviar Recipe (Russian style) Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy free - The Yummy Bowl (8)

Add the sliced eggplants to the pan, season with salt, pepper, and sugar, and add minced garlic. Stir everything well until all the ingredients are covered in the sauce and let cook on low heat for about 7-9 minutes, constantly stirring.

Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh chopped herbs.

It is best served warm but can be enjoyed as a cold spread with crackers, pita chips, crostini toasts, or for a gluten-free option celery or cucumber sticks.

Eggplant Caviar Recipe (Russian style) Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy free - The Yummy Bowl (9)

Storing Instructions

Few tips on how to store the eggplant caviar - keep refrigerated in an airtight closed container for up to 3 days.

I wouldn’t recommend freezing it as it is best to be consumed right away.

You can also reheat it in a small nonstick pan (no oil or very little amount, if needed) until warm to the touch, or in a microwave or oven.

The roasted eggplant dip can be eaten either warm or cold, personal preference!

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Recipe

Eggplant Caviar Recipe (Russian style) Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy free - The Yummy Bowl (14)

Eggplant Caviar Recipe (Russian Style)

Julia | The Yummy Bowl

Terrific smoky eggplant caviar spread/dip! Perfect to spread over crackers for an easy, healthy, delicious appetizer.

5 from 2 votes

Print Save Pin

Prep Time 1 hour hr 10 minutes mins

Cook Time 45 minutes mins

Total Time 1 hour hr 55 minutes mins

Course Appetizer, Side Dish

Cuisine Russian

Servings 1 bowl

Calories 966 kcal

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INGREDIENTS

  • cup olive oil
  • 2 lb eggplant
  • 10 oz onion or about two large
  • 2-3 tablespoon tomato paste
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pepper ground
  • 2 garlic clove

INSTRUCTIONS

  • Roast the eggplants: Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).

  • Wash the eggplant, pat dry, and poke the skin sides of the eggplants with the tines of a fork all over. Brush with oil and place on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.

  • Bake for 30 minutes, or until completely cooked through and very soft.

  • Make sure to turn the eggplant for few times while baking.

  • After removing from the oven, wrap the eggplants in foil and place on a plate or cooling rack to cool down. Once cooled down that you don’t burn your fingers, start removing the skin. It should come off quite easily.

  • Slice the eggplants into small cubes.

  • Prepare the rest of the ingredients. In a medium pan, add olive oil and saute onion until translucent for about 5 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste/sauce and reduce the heat. Cook for 5 minutes more.

  • Add the sliced eggplants to the pan, season with salt, pepper, sugar, and add minced garlic. Stir everything well until all the ingredients covered in the sauce and let cook on low heat for about 7-9 minutes, constantly stirring.

  • Remove from heat and sprinkle with fresh chopped herbs.

  • Best served warm but can be enjoyed as a cold spread with crackers, pita chips, crostini toasts, or for gluten-free option celery or cucumber sticks.

NOTES

Store - this eggplant caviar can be kept refrigerated in an airtight closed container for up to 3 days. I wouldn’t recommend freezing it as it is best to be consumed right away.

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NUTRITION

Calories: 966kcal

Tried this recipe?@theyummy_bowl and tag #theyummy_bowl! Thank you!

Note:Nutrition information is estimated and varies based on products used.

Full Nutrition Disclaimer can be foundhere.

Eggplant Caviar Recipe (Russian style) Vegan, Gluten Free, Dairy free - The Yummy Bowl (2024)

FAQs

What is eggplant caviar made of? ›

Twice-cooked eggplant provides the creamy base to this luscious, smoky condiment from Mini Kabob, a restaurant in Los Angeles. Seasoned with piquant hot pepper paste, fresh cilantro, and onion, it's delicious with lavash or as a dip for the restaurant's popular Mini Kabob Potatoes.

What is vegetable caviar? ›

It's a dish made from finely chopped vegetables. A chunky, flavorful, roasted vegetable spread, that's perfect for toast or with chips, on meats and fish, with eggs.

Can you freeze eggplant caviar? ›

To store in the fridge, transfer to airtight jars and store for up to a week. This eggplant caviar is also freezer-friendly and can be frozen for up to 2 months. Reheat in the frying pan from frozen when ready to serve.

Is caviar actually fish eggs? ›

Caviar is delicacy made from the roe of fish in the Acipenseridae family, more commonly known as sturgeon. That's an important distinction; while the fish eggs are roe, but only sturgeon roe can be considered caviar. Where Does Caviar Come From? Premium caviar must be sourced from high-quality sturgeon.

Why are eggs vegetarian but caviar isn t? ›

The language here around eggs (with caviar being a type of egg; in this case, a fish egg) does make it confusing when it comes to caviar being vegetarian or not. Ultimately, because the fish has to die in order to consume the fish eggs, the process and product are not considered vegetarian.

Does vegan caviar taste like real caviar? ›

Seaweed caviar is rich in taste just as the fish caviar. Of course, the taste is not the same down to every little detail, but pretty close and on the other hand why should it be? This sustainable 'green' product creates a new and more exciting experience, which you can consume with a good conscience.

Can vegans eat caviar? ›

Vegan Diet and Lifestyle

If you meet a vegan, we suggest you avoid bringing up the subject of caviar entirely. That's because the vegan code of ethics states that no animal products can be used or eaten, even if they are byproducts of natural processes like when bees make honey or chickens lay eggs.

What does vegan caviar taste like? ›

The flavor profile of land caviar

While tonburi has the right texture (gotta have that pop) and mouthfeel of caviar, it has a "vegetal" flavor that is not reminiscent of fish caviar's salty, unctuous taste.

Can you eat eggplant skin? ›

The skin is edible, so you can leave it on when preparing eggplant. Cut off the stem and then cut into your desired shape—slices and cubes are popular options. Cut off and discard any parts that are turning brown. Those parts are more bitter than the normally creamy white interior.

What is the best way to prepare eggplant? ›

Cook as desired. Eggplants can be grilled, steamed, braised, stir-fried, deep-fried and roasted. For a smoky flavour, turn whole eggplants over an open flame on the barbecue or stovetop until the skin is charred, then scoop out the flesh. Choose eggplants with smooth and shiny skin that is even across the surface.

How long does eggplant last in fridge? ›

Eggplant will last between five and seven days in the refrigerator as long as the skin hasn't been removed or damaged. Cooked eggplant will last between three and five days in the refrigerator.

What are the main ingredients of caviar? ›

Caviar is cured, unfertilized fish eggs. Technically, caviar refers to the cured eggs of sturgeon (a type of fish). Uncured eggs are called roe, but, over time, the word “caviar” has come to be used for several types of roe, even uncured and non-sturgeon varieties.

What is real caviar made of? ›

While there are thousands of different fish species swimming in the waters of the world, we know that real caviar only comes from the roe of a sturgeon fish, unlike salmon roe. Bursting with flavor, caviar is a unique experience that will take your taste buds to a whole new level of luxury.

Is caviar raw eggs? ›

Caviar is never cooked but is cured. This is a form of preservation that does add a little flavor to the caviar and allows it to be stored for longer. The true caviar is served and eaten raw even though roe is cooked.

What is the raw ingredient in caviar? ›

True caviar, a term revered by connoisseurs, specifically refers to the roe derived from wild sturgeon species like beluga, sevruga, and ossetra. The raw fish eggs are meticulously extracted, ensuring the preservation of their delicate texture and flavor.

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