5 ways to cook eggplant

Eggplant is a fruit rich in fiber and vitamins (yes, it is technically a fruit), often present in Italian, Chinese, Lebanese or South American recipes. When grilled, eggplant has a firm texture, making it a popular substitute for meat in vegetarian dishes. Learn how to prepare eggplant according to five popular recipes: donut, sautéed, grilled, baked or boiled.

Steps

Method 1 of 5: Make eggplant fritters

Step 1. Wash the eggplants

Then cut them into slices about a centimeter and a half thick.

Step 2. Place them on a paper towel-lined tray

Sprinkle them with salt, then let them sit for about 15 minutes, until they are completely disgorged. Wipe the slices with a paper towel, turn them over and repeat on the other side.

Step 3. Prepare the dough

Use 120g of flour, 40g of corn flour, 1/2 teaspoon of salt and a pinch of salt. Combine the ingredients in a shallow bowl. Double the quantities if you have a lot of eggplants and season them to your liking.

Step 4. Beat one or two eggs in a small bowl

Add more eggs if you have a large amount of eggplant.

Step 5. Heat the oil to 180 ° C in a large frying pan or casserole dish

• Use the right amount. Limit yourself to about half a centimeter of oil depth or enough so that the eggplant pieces float in a pan.

  

• Peanut oil, canola oil, or vegetable oil are good choices for frying.

  

Step 6. Dip the eggplant pieces in the egg

Take them, one slice at a time and then coat them with the flour mixture.

• Pat the eggplant slices on the side of the bowl to release the excess flour.

  

• Make sure each piece is carefully covered with flour.

  

• For a very thick dough, coat each piece once with egg and flour, then repeat the operation.

Step 7. Take your pliers

You will use them to place the eggplant fritters in the hot frying oil.

• Do not overload the pan. Fry a layer of eggplant fritters at a time and repeat if necessary.

  

Step 8. Let the eggplant slices cook

Brown them lightly. Then turn them over and let the other side brown.

Step 9. Lift the eggplant fritters with a skimmer

Transfer them to a paper towel to drain them.

Step 10. Serve the eggplant fritters immediately

Offer them with the sauce of your choice.

• Eggplant fritters will soften if they are not eaten immediately. They should be eaten right away, while they are hot.

  

• Serve the eggplant fritters with marinara sauce or tsatsiki.

  

Method 2 of 5: Make sautéed eggplants

Step 1. Wash the eggplants, peel them and cut them into small bite-size pieces

Step 2. Arrange the eggplants on a paper towel-lined tray

Sprinkle them with salt and let them sit for about 15 minutes, until they are completely disgorged. Wipe the slices with a paper towel, turn them over and repeat on the other side.

Step 3. Heat a little oil in a wok or deep pan

• Sauté the food in a very small amount of oil. Do not use more than a tablespoon.

  

• The oil should be piping hot, just about to smoke.

Step 4. Add the eggplant and the other ingredients

Incorporate, for example, chopped onions, snow peas or carrots.

Step 5. Season with a pinch of salt and pepper

Step 6. Stir the eggplants and other ingredients

Use a spatula or spoon to stir the eggplants constantly and quickly. Continue until they are lightly browned.

Step 7. Serve with white rice or brown rice

Method 3 of 5: Make grilled eggplants

Step 1. Wash the eggplants

Cut them into slices about two and a half centimeters thick.

Step 2. Place the eggplants on a paper towel-lined platter

Sprinkle them with salt. Let them sit for about 15 minutes, until they are completely disgorged. Wipe the slices with a paper towel, turn them over and repeat on the other side.

Step 3. Brush both sides of the slices with olive oil

Use a pastry brush for this.

Step 4. Sprinkle with the spices of your choice

Try cumin, paprika, or garlic powder in addition to a pinch of salt and pepper.

Step 5. Place the oiled eggplant slices on a hot barbecue

• You can also use your oven grill.

  

Step 6. Cook the eggplant slices

Baking should last for about 3 minutes on each side. The eggplant is cooked when the center is tender and the edges are golden and crisp.

Step 7. Transfer the eggplants to a plate with a spatula

Method 4 of 5: Bake eggplant in the oven

Step 1. Preheat the oven to 190 ° C

Step 2. Wash the eggplants

Cut them into slices two centimeters thick or into pieces.

• You can cut them in half, in pieces or in strips to bake them in the oven.

  

• Usually, the skin is left when you cut the eggplant in half to hold it together during cooking.

  

• When the recipe calls for the eggplant to be cut into pieces, they should usually be peeled first.

Step 3. Oil a baking dish with olive oil

You can also take a baking sheet. Arrange the eggplant pieces in it, taking care not to overlap the pieces.

Step 4. Cook the eggplant

Baking should last until the edges and top are golden, about 20 minutes.

Step 5. Remove from oven and serve hot

Method 5 of 5: Boil eggplants

Step 1. Wash, peel and slice the eggplants

You can also boil whole unpeeled eggplants.

Step 2. Bring a large pot of water to a boil over high heat

• Use two parts of water for one part of eggplant pieces.

  

• If you want to boil a whole eggplant, use enough water to submerge the whole eggplant.

Step 3. Place the whole or sliced eggplant in boiling water

• If you are boiling a whole eggplant, first poke holes in the skin before submerging it in water, to prevent it from exploding from the heat.

  

Step 4. Simmer slowly

Wait until the eggplant has softened (about 8 to 15 min).

Step 5. Season the eggplants

You can take salt, pepper and any spices you want.

Advice

• Salting the eggplants before cooking eliminates some of the bitterness, especially when the eggplants are not fresh.
• Eggplants go well with other fruits and vegetables like tomatoes, onions and peppers and spices such as chili, garlic, oregano, basil and chili powder.
• The secret to making great donuts is to prepare everything first, heat the pan, and fry each donut as soon as it is coated with batter.
• Try replacing the meat in the burgers with grilled eggplant.
• Try cooking eggplant with parmesan, it's delicious!