Page 221 - Pie Squared

½ cup (30 g) chopped fresh cilantro, plus extra for garnish

½ cup (30 g) chopped fresh mint, plus extra for garnish

4 tablespoons (56 g) unsalted butter, melted

4 ounces (113 g), phyllo pastry, defrosted in the refrigerator overnight

½ cup (120 ml) full-fat or Greek yogurt

In a deep, wide skillet or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil over medium
heat until shimmering. Add the garlic cloves and reduce the heat to
medium-low. Cook the garlic, without browning, until the oil is

scented, about 5 minutes. Remove and discard the garlic. Pour off ¼
cup of the oil and reserve for the phyllo.
Increase the heat under the pan until the oil is hot and
shimmering. Add the eggplant in batches so they are not crowded,
tossing and browning the cubes until browned and softened. Give

this process time to allow the eggplant to take on some color, about
10 or 15 minutes total. It will seem as though there is not enough oil
but there is.

Turn down the heat and add the tomatoes, sumac, salt, and
pepper and let the sauce bubble slowly until thick, 15 to 20 minutes.
Stir in 2 tablespoons of the pomegranate molasses. Stir in the
scallions, cilantro, and mint. Taste and adjust the seasoning, adding
more pomegranate molasses if desired. It should be a little textural,

chunky even, with a tangy, assertive, slightly salty finish. Let the
filling cool.
Stir the reserved garlic oil and melted butter together until

combined. Unroll the phyllo sheets and immediately cover with a
sheet of plastic wrap and a slightly damp, clean kitchen towel. Brush
the slab pie pan with the butter mixture. Peel off a sheet of phyllo,
taking care to cover the stack of phyllo sheets not in use. Settle the
sheet into the pan with the excess overhanging the edges. Brush the

phyllo sheet with the butter mixture and continue to layer the phyllo
and butter until there are six buttered sheets in the pan.
Spread the cooled eggplant filling across the buttered, stacked

phyllo. Place a phyllo sheet on top of the filling and dab with the
butter mixture, continuing to layer with five additional sheets, each