Eggplant, Quinoa, Hazelnut and Brie Salad
Serves: 6 servings
 
Ingredients
For the salad
  • 1 medium eggplant
  • salt
  • olive oil
  • 1 cup uncooked quinoa
  • 2-3 cups packed spinach leaves
  • ½ cup coriander (cilantro)
  • ½ cup mint leaves
  • ¼ purple onion, sliced
For the cheese
  • brie cheese
  • flour
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • panko crumbs
  • salt
For the dressing
  • lemon juice
  • pomegranate juice
  • Ginger juice (grate some ginger and squeeze it to release the juice)
  • olive oil
  • salt
To finish
  • ½ cup chopped and lightly toasted hazelnuts
  • pomegranate seeds
Method
For the eggplant
  1. Cut the eggplant into thin slices.
  2. Lay them out on a baking tray lined with paper towels and sprinkle liberally with salt on both sides. Let the seasoned slices sit for about 30 minutes to draw out some moisture.
  3. Preheat oven to 300° F/160°C.
  4. Dry the eggplant slices and brush them lightly with olive oil.
  5. Bake for 30 minutes, then flip the slices and bake for another 15-30 minutes until the slices are dry but not crispy.
  6. Remove them from the oven and let them cool.
  7. Cut the cooled eggplant slices into halves.
For the quinoa
  1. Cook the quinoa, as recommended by package instructions and place it in a large bowl to cool completely.
For the cheese
  1. Cut the cheese into small rectangles, about 2.5cm (1") x 5cm (2").
  2. Dip into flour, then egg-wash, then the panko crumbs, seasoned with salt.
  3. Fry quickly in olive oil until golden on both sides.
  4. Drain on paper towels and let cool.
For the rest of the salad
  1. In the meantime, combine spinach, cilantro, and mint in a food processor and pulse to finely chop all of the greens.
  2. Prepare the onions, hazelnuts, and pomegranate seeds.
  3. Combine the cooked and cooled quinoa with chopped greens, eggplant, cheese and onions.
  4. Season with lemon juice, pomegranate juice, ginger juice, extra-virgin olive oil, and salt, to taste.
  5. Top with hazelnuts and pomegranate seeds and toss right before serving.
Recipe by The Low Fodmap Diet at https://www.strandsofmylife.com/eggplant-quinoa-hazelnut-and-brie-salad-recipe/