Grilled Smoky Eggplant Salad

Ingredients

• 1 lb eggplant (about 2)
• 3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
• olive oil flavored cooking spray
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon sherry wine vinegar
• 1 small plum tomato, diced
• 1 small garlic clove, chopped
• 1 1/2 teaspoons smoked paprika (Spanish paprika necessary for the integrity of the dish)
• 3 cups mixed baby greens
• 2 ounces manchego cheese, cut into thin curls with a vegetable peeler (necessary for the integrity of the dish)

Directions

1. 1

   Preheat grill to medium.

2. 2

   Cut stripes in each eggplant’s peel by running a vegetable peeler down the length of it and repeating at about 1-inch intervals.

3. 3

   Slice the eggplants into rounds 1/3 to 1/2 inch thick.

4. 4

   Lay them on a baking sheet and sprinkle lightly with 1/2 teaspoon salt. Let stand for about 5 minutes.

5. 5

   Blot the eggplant slices with paper towels and lightly coat both sides with olive oil spray.

6. 6

   Grill the eggplant, flipping halfway through, until soft and caramelized on both sides, 9 to 11 minutes total.

7. 7

   Puree oil, vinegar, tomato, garlic, paprika and the remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt in a blender until well combined.

8. 8

   Toss salad greens with half the vinaigrette in a medium bowl.

9. 9

   Arrange the eggplant slices on 6 salad plates.

10. 10

    Drizzle with the remaining vinaigrette.

11. 11

    Place the salad greens over and between the eggplant slices, then scatter the cheese curls on top of each salad.

12. 12

    Serve warm or at room temperature.