What a week this has been and its only Tuesday! I finally got my act together and made my Pomegranate Mousse Cake, using that incredible pomegranate juice that POM Wonderful had sent me, and my timing was perfect. My entry in the Picnic Basket Game being run by Louise @ Months of Edible Celebrations was also due……whew….you would almost think I planned it that way! You see I had picked the letter P for my entry……that would be P for Pomegranate!
So with that taken care of I just had one more thing to make for my new friend Sara @ Saucy Dipper. You see Sara was hosting DipStock, and having lived through the era that a similarly named festival was held, I thought it my duty to participate! I thought long and hard, and walked through my Local Wegman’s for inspiration. I love Hummus all kinds, there was Baba Ganoush, White Bean dip, Cheese Dip………well you get the picture. So many choices…….hmmm. Then while looking at produce, I saw the Graffiti Eggplant and it came to me, Caponata.
Now there are a few different varieties of Caponata, from different regions of Italy. My version of Caponata is kind of a hybrid, adding a few things that I like in addition to the traditional ingredients. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with Caponata, think of it a relish of sorts, or an Sicilian Salsa. My version like its Sicilian counterpart contains eggplant. I hope you enjoy!
After your through checking out my entry for Dipstock, scroll down the page to see all the goodies for our online picnic celebrating International Picnic Day!!
So with that taken care of I just had one more thing to make for my new friend Sara @ Saucy Dipper. You see Sara was hosting DipStock, and having lived through the era that a similarly named festival was held, I thought it my duty to participate! I thought long and hard, and walked through my Local Wegman’s for inspiration. I love Hummus all kinds, there was Baba Ganoush, White Bean dip, Cheese Dip………well you get the picture. So many choices…….hmmm. Then while looking at produce, I saw the Graffiti Eggplant and it came to me, Caponata.
Now there are a few different varieties of Caponata, from different regions of Italy. My version of Caponata is kind of a hybrid, adding a few things that I like in addition to the traditional ingredients. For those of you who may be unfamiliar with Caponata, think of it a relish of sorts, or an Sicilian Salsa. My version like its Sicilian counterpart contains eggplant. I hope you enjoy!
After your through checking out my entry for Dipstock, scroll down the page to see all the goodies for our online picnic celebrating International Picnic Day!!
Caponata my contribution to Dipstock!
1 medium to large eggplant peeled, grilled, small dice
1/2 cup of assorted pitted olives, small dice
6-8 cloves roasted garlic chopped
1 medium tomato, small dice
3 ribs celery, small dice
1 tablespoon chopped Basil
1/2 cup vinegar
2 tbsp sugar
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 tsp sea salt
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
The first thing you need to do is to roast the garlic, this is something you can do ahead of time and have ready, simply peel a head of garlic coat i in olive oil and place in a 350 degree oven for about 30 minutes, you want it cooked not but soft.
Next, roast, grill or pan fry your peeled eggplant slices. If your roasting or grilling them, coat the peeled eggplant slices with extra virgin olive oil first. I grilled mine for this caponata. Do not overcook the eggplant , you do not want it to be mushy. Let the eggplant cool and pat down gently to remove excess oil.
Slice the eggplant into strips, and dice into small pieces. Set aside in large enough bowl to hold all of the ingredients.
Slice then dice your tomato, dice the olives, chop the roasted garlic and basil. Mix together with the eggplant.
In another bowl prepare your dressing, add the vinegar, sugar, red pepper flakes, salt and olive oil, mix the dressing until all the sugar has been dissolved. Mix the dressing into the caponata mix.
Allow Caponata to marinate in the dressing for at least an hour before serving, caponata should keep for 2-3 days. Serve with crackers, crusty bread or pita’s.
Now Check out the picnic a
You’re going on a picnic and you’re bringing…
Click on the links to see who is bringing each dish to the picnic!!
Click on the links to see who is bringing each dish to the picnic!!
Yummy, beautiful picture! I'm seeing a picnic in my future!
I like your caponata. It looks great. Great pics!
I didn't know what Caponata was till now, this looks super yummy especially with that toasted bread!
Wow, lovely presentation. It's like I'm already dipping those toasted pitas on the caponata, just by looking at the picture.
The caponata looks and sounds so good! Reminds me of when I dated this Italian guy in college. His mom made caponata all the time and in so many different ways. Unfortunately, the first time she made it for me, she put octopus in it!
The caponata looks awesome! Thanks for sharing a great looking recipe. I'm saving this one for when the eggplant really starts producing this summer.
Interesting & yummy dishes…all of them are really nice..
You never fail me! I am going on a picnic this weekend, and I'm leaving this post brimming with fresh ideas. I hope you have a wonderful day Dennis~
yummy dishes,your caponata looks so fine!
Great dish! Love eggplant! This is definitely one of the most delicious dish from Italy!
I wish that was a real picnic. All that gorgeous food.
Your dip looks and sounds really nice. Thanks for the recipe.
All look delish! Can I come to your picnic? hehe…
I had no idea there was an International Picnic Day! How fabulous! And I love the look of your dip – such a change from the creamy, pureed kinds that can be fond everywhere!
Caponata, yes please.
Another awesome and delicious dish.
Yours look fantastic, great click ♥
Dennis, there'a always caponata in our fridge- my Nonna's was so very similar to yours. I WILL be making that cake!
xoxo pattie
I do love caponata, Dennis. For some reason, I never make it though. Hmm?
p.s. I'm still enamored with your pomegranate cake. I just stare at the picture in awe…so nice!
I like your contribution the best by far!
Like Stella, I love Caponata but have yet to make it myself. That will have to change. Another great post, Chef Dennis!
i've never made caponata before. i'll have to try it this summer… thanks for sharing.
I like your contribution the best by far!
I had no idea what caponata was before this post but it seems great! Thanks for sharing.
such a great dip or spread, I think I could eat the whole bowl full Dennis – how do you manage to do all you do??
Thank you for participating in Dipstock! Really, I couldn't be more flattered.
Your dip sounds like one I'll have to try myself, especially since I have done so little with eggplant in the past.
It's time to get creative!
Your caponata looks amazing!
You always have the most beautiful food! I love it!
My mouth is watering!!! I think I'll make that this weekend. Thank you Dennis
Hey Dennis the photos say it all. Love the wonderful presentation. Can't wait to try it out!
Love the caponata recipe, great for guests! I am full just looking at all that picnic food, looks so good!
The caponata looks wonderful Dennis. It's always on of my most requested dips when I cater (that and cilatron black bean hummus). Im still drooling over the pomegranate cake though.
Lovely dish. And what a great round-up of food. Fantastic job, Dennis.
Be well
Dipstock sounds like fun! Caponata is one of my favorites. Great recipe!
That's one picnic I wouldn't want to be late for! We love caponata in all forms. I use it as an appetizer, a sauce for pasta, on bruschetta and to occasionally dip a spoon in for the cook's snack.
Best,
Bonnie
what a super cute post, love those recipes, may have to try a few!!
anne
http://www.anniebakes.net
how i wish i can join in your picnic, yum yum!
Wonderful version, I make a couple different ones myself, but I'm gonna try this one. I'd love to be at that picnic!
I know I'd luv coponata. Your version has delicious ingredients (lots of good for you garlic!), and then serving with crusty bread or pita – addicting!
I'm afraid I may eat the whole dish!! This sounds so fresh, flavorful and PERFECT for a picnic. So glad I'm gonna be there
Great dip! It's perfect for a picnic and I wanna go to the International Picnic Day now!
I like grilled eggplant and love to see you added it in the dip
In South East Asia, they use grilled eggplant to make a dip too 
I love dips like this. Yours looks very fresh and colorful!
What a wonderful twist on the traditional caponata. You have created some great contributions.
I love the caponata… it's light, flavorful and so perfect for a picnic! This was such a fun post!
Your caponata with grilled eggplant sounds great for a picnic! Don't tell anyone, but I don't really love versions with raisins or currants.
All of those dishes look so appetising! Your caponata makes a great snack!
oh Dennis you do have a talent for pampering the taste buds – yes indeed
Dennis, your caponata looks delicious! And both Dipstock and that International Picnic Day online cooking fest look like great fun! Thanks for sharing!
Your caponata looks great. The picture is wonderful, I can almost reach out and grab it! Looks like a great picnic to be on!
I have been on the hunt for a good caponata recipe as it's one of my favorite spreads….this looks DIVINE! thanks for sharing
Looking forward to following your blog. Beautiful pic.
Thanks for stopping by my blog Dennis, because it led me to yours! I really do love chips with any kind of dip and especially salsa. Wow, I've never tried it but Caponata looks like just the type of thing for me. I'm definitely going to be bookmarking this
Fun Post! The caponata looks delicious! Great for this weekend!
I love that you call Caponata a salsa. So many cultures have similar dishes with regional tweaks. This looks lovely.
I am completely unfamiliar with the picnic fun, but was wondering where is the rest of the alphabet? It looks like a lot of fun.
The caponata looks delicious! Not an olive fan here but I do like it in dips like that and I LOVE eggplant!
Love all the picnic foods, I've been seeing that floating around the web, how cute!
I adore caponata and it is definitely a wonderful dip as well as a great pasta sauce! The intense flavor of the vinegar is just out of this world. I made one last summer and served it over polenta. Good stuff.
That mousse cake…you definitely made POM proud!
This dish looks wonderful, so beautiful and seasonal! I'm happy to have found your blog!
Everyone seems to have a slightly different version of the 'Caponata'.
Giving a quick look at your wonderful ingredients…I can tell that yours will be way tastier than some I've tried in some supposedly Italian run restaurants;o)
Flavourful wishes,
Claudia
So much celebrating! And delicious food
The pomegranate cake was perfect to enter!
Love you wonderful photos and recipes! Caponata is now on my list to do.
Rita
looks awesome. I've always wanted to try this. can't go wrong with this one! and I love pita chips, yummmmy!
Love the picnic idea! What gorgeous photos! I've never made Caponata, but now I'll have to do so.
I have tons of zucchini in my vegetable garden. Do you have a favorite zucchini bread recipe?
oh this looks wonderful have a great 4th weekend
What a lovely caponata…and a very fun post. Sort of afraid of the picnic basket though:) lol, I may be getting my self into trouble?
That caponata looks so good, I am bookmarking for a future appetizer (near future!).
Hi Dennis,
Hope you had a safe and enjoyable 4th filled with lots of goodies:)
I wanted to take a moment to thank you once again for bringing your dazzling Pomegranate Mousse Cake on the picnic. It disappeared before I even had a chance to nibble at it:) A huge hit!!!
It was wonderful having you. I do hope you will join us again next year. Thank you so much, Louise
You made a delicious version!
I like it too with sugar and vinegar…my mom makes it with potatoes and without vinegar and I saw versions of this with green beans too, more similar to our minestrone…your is much more sicilian! the best for me… ^_^
That caponata dip looks so tasty!
I would not have thought to present caponata as a dip! It sounds wonderful Dennis
I could have that for my lunch, it looks so tempting!
"Dipstock"?? ROFL I love it!!