Deconstructed Baba ghanoush

Ingredients

For the Lentils:

• 2 tablespoons (30ml) extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 small carrots, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch chunks (about 1 cup; 170g)
• 2 small stalks celery, cut into 1/4-inch slices (about 1 cup; 115g)
• 1 medium yellow onion, finely diced (about 1 cup; 225g)
• 4 medium cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 12 ounces (340g) red or green lentils
• 2 bay leaves
• 4 cups vegetable stock or water (about 1L)
• salt to taste
• 2 teaspoons (10ml) red wine vinegar or apple cider vinegar
• Freshly ground black pepper

For the Eggplant:

• 2 eggplants, about 1 pound (450g) each
• 4 tablespoons (60ml) extra-virgin olive oil
• salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 4 large sprigs fresh rosemary

To Serve:

• 2 tablespoons (30ml) extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
• 1/4 cup pine nuts (about 2 1/2 ounces; 70g)
• ~ 2 cups tahini
• 2 tablespoons minced fresh parsley leaves
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary leaves

Directions

For the Lentils: Adjust oven rack to center position and preheat oven to 450°F to prepare for roasting eggplant. Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat until shimmering. Add carrots, celery, and onion and cook, stirring, until softened but not browned, about 4 minutes. Add garlic and cook, stirring, until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add lentils, bay leaves, stock or water, and a pinch of salt. Bring to a simmer, cover with the lid partially ajar, and cook until lentils are tender, about 30 minutes. (Top up with water if lentils are at any point not fully submerged.) Remove lid, stir in vinegar, and reduce until lentils are moist but not soupy. Season to taste with salt and pepper, cover, and keep warm until ready to serve.

For the Eggplant: While lentils cook, cut each eggplant in half. Score flesh with the tip of a paring knife in a cross-hatch pattern at 1-inch intervals. Transfer to a foil-lined rimmed baking sheet, cut side up, and brush each eggplant half with 1 tablespoon oil, letting each brushstroke be fully absorbed before brushing with more. Season with salt and pepper. Place a rosemary sprig on top of each one. Transfer to oven and roast until completely tender and well charred, 25 to 35 minutes. Remove from oven and discard rosemary.

To Serve: Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and pine nuts in a medium skillet set over medium heat. Cook, tossing nuts frequently, until golden brown and aromatic, about 4 minutes. Transfer to a bowl to halt cooking. Stir half of parsley and rosemary into lentils and transfer to a serving platter. Arrange eggplant halves on top. Spread a few tablespoons of tahini sauce over each eggplant half and sprinkle with pine nuts. Sprinkle with remaining parsley and rosemary, drizzle with additional olive oil, and serve.