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Zaalouk toast for everyone! Enjoy crispy golden sourdough toasts topped with a smoky eggplant and tomato mixture, creamy burrata, and a drizzle of olive oil.
If you’re a fan of toast-topping creations, then you’ll love this zaalouk toast recipe. It’s a delightful combination of flavors and textures that make it a perfect meal or snack option.
This recipe features olive oil-griddled sourdough toasts layered with a tangy and smoky roasted eggplant and tomato mixture known as zaalouk. Topped with creamy burrata, olive oil, herbs, and black pepper, these toasts are a delicious treat for any occasion.
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What Is Zaalouk?
Zaalouk is a traditional Moroccan dish made with cooked eggplant and tomatoes, flavored with garlic, olive oil, and various spices. The word “zaalouk” means “puree or something soft” in Arabic, describing the texture of this dish. It’s a chunky blend of roasted eggplants and stewed tomatoes seasoned with cumin and paprika, perfect for spreading on toast.
While zaalouk is typically served as a side dish or spread, this recipe elevates it by pairing it with sourdough toasts, burrata, and additional toppings for a complete meal.
For this recipe, we drew inspiration from Fit Men Cook and Taste of Maroc, incorporating canned tomatoes for convenience and parsley for a fresh twist. The roasted eggplant adds a smoky depth of flavor, enhanced by the roasted garlic cloves.
Ingredients For These Zaalouk Toast Cuties
While cheese is not traditionally served with zaalouk, the combination of flavors in this recipe pairs perfectly with creamy burrata. Here’s what you’ll need to make these delicious zaalouk toasts:
- eggplant
- a can of crushed tomatoes
- fresh garlic & parsley
- paprika & cumin
- red pepper flakes for heat (optional)
- sourdough or other crusty bread
- fresh burrata
- olive oil, salt, pepper, and additional herbs for topping
Let’s Assemble Zaalouk Toasts
Creating these zaalouk toasts is a simple process that involves roasting the eggplant, preparing the zaalouk mixture, grilling the bread, and assembling the final dish:
- Roast the eggplant. Cut the eggplant in half, tuck garlic cloves inside, drizzle with olive oil, and roast until soft.
- Prepare the zaalouk. Combine the roasted eggplant and garlic with tomatoes and spices, mash until chunky-smooth, then simmer with parsley.
- Grill the bread. Cook slices of bread in a skillet with olive oil until golden and crispy.
- Assemble the toasts. Spread zaalouk on the grilled bread, top with burrata, olive oil, herbs, salt, and pepper.
What To Serve with These Toasts
While zaalouk toasts are delicious on their own, they can also be paired with other dishes for a complete meal. Consider serving them with a simple green salad or a roasted broccoli salad for a well-rounded veggie meal.
Feel free to experiment with different cheeses like feta, ricotta, or goat cheese if you prefer. You can even try adding a fried egg on top for an extra protein boost. And don’t be afraid to get creative with dipping options like grilled cheese sandwiches.
This dish also keeps well in the fridge and actually improves in flavor after a day or two, making it a great option for meal prep or snacking throughout the week.
So, if you’re a fan of zaalouk and toast, why not enjoy zaalouk toasts every day?
Zaalouk Toasts: Frequently Asked Questions
Without the red pepper flakes, these toasts are not spicy. Lots of flavor, but no heat. If you wanted to add a bit of heat, you can find optional red pepper flakes in the recipe card.
Thick 1\” slices of sourdough work great for this recipe.
Sure can! Just store it in the fridge for 3-4 days in a sealed container.