Incredible Roasted Eggplants with Figs, Ricotta & Yuzu Sauce: Your Gourmet Side

Roasted Eggplants with Figs, Ricotta and Yuzu Sauce are a truly incredible, elegant, and sophisticated dish that delivers a burst of unexpected flavor combinations. Imagine tender, smoky roasted eggplant halves, topped with creamy ricotta, sweet figs, crunchy pecans, and a unique, tangy yuzu glaze. This vibrant, wholesome side dish is an effortless way to bring gourmet flavors and impressive presentation to your table.

This recipe celebrates the art of sophisticated contrasts: the smoky warmth of the roasted eggplant against the cool, tangy ricotta, and the sweet fruit against the zesty yuzu. It proves that culinary adventure can be both simple and delicious. You can visit our New York for more delicious recipes.

Why You’ll Love This Dish

Feature	Benefit
Gourmet Flavor Profile	Unique combination of sweet figs, creamy ricotta, and tart, citrusy yuzu.
Elegant Presentation	Serving the dish directly in the eggplant shell is stunning for guests.
Healthy & Wholesome	Packed with vegetables, healthy fats, and fresh herbs.
Textural Delight	Combines soft, tender eggplant with creamy ricotta and crunchy pecans.
Effortlessly Easy	Simple assembly and roasting steps for a sophisticated result.

An Overview of Flavors and Textures

The Roasted Eggplants with Figs, Ricotta and Yuzu Sauce are a captivating blend of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors with delightful textures.

The eggplants form the base, roasting until their flesh is wonderfully tender and smoky. This rich, savory foundation is infused with aromatic garlic and olive oil.

The ricotta topping provides a cool, creamy, and light contrast to the warm eggplant. The figs and optional blackberries add a sweet, juicy, and tender counterpoint.

The yuzu sauce is the defining flavor: a unique, complex blend of savory hoisin, nutty peanut-coconut sauce, and the sharp, floral citrus of yuzu paste. Pecans add a final, essential crunchy element. This Roasted Eggplants with Figs, Ricotta and Yuzu Sauce is a truly unforgettable experience of complex, contrasting notes.

The Star of the Show: The Zesty Yuzu and Sweet Fig Glaze

While the roasted eggplant is the structural base, the true defining characteristic and “star” of this Roasted Eggplants with Figs, Ricotta and Yuzu Sauce is the Zesty Yuzu and Sweet Fig Glaze. The yuzu sauce, made with tart yuzu paste, savory hoisin, and sweet honey, is brushed generously onto the eggplant before the final bake. The heat activates the citrus and savories, creating an intense, sweet-tart glaze that permeates the smoky flesh. This zesty, complex glaze perfectly complements the rich creaminess of the ricotta and the natural sweetness of the figs, transforming the dish into a unique, restaurant-quality appetizer.

How to Make Your Roasted Eggplants with Figs, Ricotta & Yuzu Sauce

This recipe relies on slow roasting the eggplant to tenderness and a quick final bake after adding the toppings. The key is in achieving a fully tender base.

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 55 minutes

Total Time: Approximately 1 hour

Servings: 2 portions

Difficulty: Medium

Ingredients

Component	Amount	Ingredient	Notes
For the Eggplants:	2	Eggplants	Medium size
	2 large	Garlic cloves	Very finely chopped
	1/2	Shallot	Very thinly sliced
	As needed	Olive oil	For brushing
	To taste	Flaky salt
	As needed	Fresh thyme sprigs
For the Ricotta & Fruit:	2–3	Figs	Quartered
	8	Blackberries	Optional
	1/2–2/3 cup	Ricotta cheese	About 4–5 ounces
	4	Pecans	Lightly crushed
For the Yuzu Sauce:	1 tablespoon	Hoisin sauce
	1 tablespoon + 1 teaspoon	Peanut-coconut sauce
	1 1/2 teaspoons	Rice vinegar
	1 teaspoon	Yuzu paste
	2 1/2 teaspoons	Honey
	Pinch of	Salt

Instructions

1. Roast the Eggplants: Preheat your oven to 356°F (180°C). Slice the two eggplants in half lengthwise, ensuring the stem remains attached. Score the flesh in a shallow crosshatch pattern. Place the halves on a lined baking sheet, brush generously with olive oil, and sprinkle with salt. Scatter the chopped garlic over the top. Roast for 40–45 minutes, or until the flesh is very tender.
2. Make the Yuzu Sauce: While the eggplants roast, mix all the sauce ingredients (hoisin sauce, peanut-coconut sauce, rice vinegar, yuzu paste, honey, and salt) in a bowl until the mixture is completely smooth. Set aside.
3. Prepare Toppings: Thinly slice the shallot. Lightly crush the pecans. Quarter the figs and wash the blackberries.
4. Final Assembly: Remove the eggplants from the oven (keep the oven on). Brush the flesh generously with the yuzu sauce and return to the oven to bake for 5 minutes. Remove the eggplants again; spread the ricotta evenly over the flesh. Top with the figs, shallot, pecans, and blackberries. Add fresh thyme sprigs.
5. Finish & Serve: Bake for 8 minutes more, until the ricotta is warm and the toppings are slightly tender. Let cool slightly before serving.

Expert Tips for Your Eggplants

Category	Tip
Eggplant Tenderness	Roasting the eggplant for the full 40-45 minutes is crucial. The flesh must be completely tender before the toppings are added.
Scoring	Scoring the eggplant flesh helps it absorb the olive oil and salt while baking, enhancing the savory base flavor.
Yuzu Sauce Prep	The yuzu sauce is best made slightly in advance. The sweetness of the hoisin and honey will thicken it slightly.
Serving Tip	Serve this dish warm. The contrast of the warm, smoky eggplant base against the cool, tangy ricotta is key to its sophisticated appeal.
Topping Crunch	Add the pecans only during the final assembly/bake. This ensures they warm up but retain their crunch.

Conclusion: Your Deliciously Easy & Gourmet Side

The Roasted Eggplants with Figs, Ricotta and Yuzu Sauce are a true delight—a perfect balance of smoky richness, fresh sweetness, and tangy zest that makes for an elegant and satisfying meal. With its luxurious presentation and complex flavors, it’s a dish that promises to impress every guest. Easy to prepare and stunning to present, this Roasted Eggplants with Figs, Ricotta and Yuzu Sauce recipe is sure to become a beloved favorite in your kitchen.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Can I substitute yuzu paste?

Yes. Yuzu paste has a unique tart-floral flavor. The best substitute is equal parts fresh lime juice and lemon juice, with a tiny bit of orange zest for the floral note.

Can I make this dish ahead of time?

You can roast the eggplants completely ahead of time and store them. Assemble and bake the final toppings just before serving.

What is hoisin sauce?

Hoisin sauce is a thick, dark, fragrant sauce used in Chinese cuisine. It provides a savory, sweet, and tangy umami flavor essential to the glaze.

What other nuts can I use?

Toasted walnuts or sliced almonds would also work well as substitutes for pecans in this topping.

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