Eggplant

[LuckyMe143]

I have never eaten nor cook it. I need some healthy recipes for it. My kids suggest we start trying new foods this is the first thing they picked out .

[migtig]

YUM. Since I'm not eating meat anymore this is one of my favs. It's very versatile.

So, first thing. Chop off each end. And since I can't see which eggplant you picked, I recommend peeling the skin. It can be a turn-off to some folks once cooked. Depending on what you decide to make, you can cut it up into cubes or you can cut into rounds about 1/2 inch thick.

Lightly salt and place on paper towels. This is optional, but it doesn't make the eggplant salty, it sweats/drains it. You can dab with paper towels before cooking and it will remove any remaining salt.

So before you cook, you need to know eggplant absorbs liquids, kind of like mushrooms, so you don't want to cook on super high heat in super hot oil. You'll wind up burning it.

There are specific recipes all over the interweb, but my favs are:

eggplant parmesan - bread the rounds of eggplant with italian seasoned crumbs and parmesan cheese and fry them up in hot oil and then place on top of thick noodles and spaghetti sauce

Lasgana - lightly cook in oil medium heat with chopped onion until both are slightly golden. Place spaghetti sauce in a baking dish, layer of no bake lasagna noodles, layer of ricotta, layer of eggplant/onion and repeat.

I also like it chopped, sauted in some garlic and mixed with couscous and tomatoes. Which isn't really a recipe. But you could do the same saute and serve over noodles.

I like it grilled, sauted, fried and baked.

[RoseRed (Premo)]

eggplant Recipes at Epicurious.com

[GWguy]

I make a ratatouille, but use the thinner Chinese eggplants. I don't have the recipe here, I'll post it later tonight.

[NextJen]

I made a lasagna this summer with the many zucchinis a neighbor had given me. I'm sure you could substitute eggplant for the zucchini.

I used the zucchini in place of the noodles. Also, I cooked the zucchini first. I cut it in slices about a 1/4 inch thick, then placed on a cookie sheet sprayed with cooking spray, baked in the oven on 350 until it was softening up - can't recall exactly how long...maybe 10 minutes or so.

You could use your own lasagna recipe if you have one. If not, you could use this as a guide:
Zucchini Lasagna Lasagne) - Low Carb Recipe - Food.com - 749

[Suz]

Originally Posted by migtig

YUM. Since I'm not eating meat anymore this is one of my favs. It's very versatile.

So, first thing. Chop off each end. And since I can't see which eggplant you picked, I recommend peeling the skin. It can be a turn-off to some folks once cooked. Depending on what you decide to make, you can cut it up into cubes or you can cut into rounds about 1/2 inch thick.

Lightly salt and place on paper towels. This is optional, but it doesn't make the eggplant salty, it sweats/drains it. You can dab with paper towels before cooking and it will remove any remaining salt.

So before you cook, you need to know eggplant absorbs liquids, kind of like mushrooms, so you don't want to cook on super high heat in super hot oil. You'll wind up burning it.

There are specific recipes all over the interweb, but my favs are:

eggplant parmesan - bread the rounds of eggplant with italian seasoned crumbs and parmesan cheese and fry them up in hot oil and then place on top of thick noodles and spaghetti sauce

Lasgana - lightly cook in oil medium heat with chopped onion until both are slightly golden. Place spaghetti sauce in a baking dish, layer of no bake lasagna noodles, layer of ricotta, layer of eggplant/onion and repeat.

I also like it chopped, sauted in some garlic and mixed with couscous and tomatoes. Which isn't really a recipe. But you could do the same saute and serve over noodles.

I like it grilled, sauted, fried and baked.

Use panko bread crumbs

[acommondisaster]

Originally Posted by GWguy

I make a ratatouille, but use the thinner Chinese eggplants. I don't have the recipe here, I'll post it later tonight.

I'd love to see your ratatouille recipe. I love the stuff, but I'm in search of the best recipe. I had some at a restaurant in Bethesda and I've never been able to duplicate it.

[GWguy]

Originally Posted by acommondisaster

I'd love to see your ratatouille recipe. I love the stuff, but I'm in search of the best recipe. I had some at a restaurant in Bethesda and I've never been able to duplicate it.

Ever watch the movie "Ratatouille" ? That's how I prepare mine.

[libertytyranny]

slice, salt, coat in egg and breadcrumbs and deep fry. so good.

or coat it, pan fry thin slices nad layer it with marinara and mozzerella for eggplant parm

[GWguy]

I use Chinese eggplant (Shoppers has them) and try to get the diameter of all the veggies about the same so they stack well. The only change I made which isn't in here is to soak the veggies in salted water for a few hours before putting them into the dish.

A fair amount of work, but worth it.
https://www.google.com/search?q=remy...w=1252&bih=615

Ratatouille recipe.pdf