If you have ever visited any countries in the Balkan region you have most probably tried Ajvar, the red pepper sauce that can be used as a dip, sauce or typical relish. It's the best condiment you can add to flavor up meals or just dip some bread or pita with a side of cheese.
Course Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine Balkan
Keyword Ajvar, Ajvar Red Pepper Sauce, Balkan Ajvar, Balkan Cuisine, Red Pepper Dip
1small red chili pepper (optional if you like spicy ajvar)
0.5cupolive oilextra virgin
Instructions
Use a baking dish that has a rack that fits. This allows for roasting the vegetables in a way that is very similar to grilling. You can grill or roast the vegetables.
Pre-heat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit (about 200 degrees Celsius).
Roast peppers and eggplant for about 20 minutes or so. It's important to allow for peppers' skin to char a little and skin to separate and lift up a little.
Remove tray from over, let peppers and eggplant cool until you can handle them by hand.
Remove peppers' skin and seeds. Peel the eggplant. You can dice the vegetables very thin, use a mill or blend them.
Get a large pot, add olive oil and saute minced garlic until flagrant. If you are adding spicy chili, this is the time to add it.
Add blended red pepper & eggplant mix to the pot. mix thoroughly. If the mix is too thick already you can add a half cup of water. Usually the peppers have enough juice of their own and water is not needed but few times I have had to add a half cup.
Lower heat to simmer, cover the pot and let everything simmer together for about 2 hrs. Just check occasionally so ajvar is not getting too thick.
Once you turn heat off, let ajvar cool. Then pour in jars for storing.
If you want to store this for a long time, use safe canning techniques. Usually this amount lasts my family about 7-8 days so I just store in the refrigerator.
Use as a dip, condiment, sauce over pasta or dip with celery, carrots and pita. I love it simply with some homemade bread and cheese!! Enjoy:)
Notes
I used a fitness app to estimate the calories per serving.