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]

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]

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]

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]

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=rem...-00QHA1IGoDQ&ved=0CAQQ_AUoAA&biw=1252&bih=615

View attachment Ratatouille recipe.pdf

 

[LuckyMe143]

Thanks everyone.

 

[havingfun]

baby eggplants

I am not a big fan of regular eggplant but I am hooked on the baby ones. Get them at the Farmers Market. Wash, cut in half length wise. Spray with a little olive oil, sprinkle with salt, pepper and garlic and grated parm. cheese then broil them until cheese is melted and turned brown.

 

[lovinmaryland]

This is one of my favorite eggplant recipes. Absoultely delicious!
Barefoot Contessa - Recipes - Roasted Eggplant Dip

Roasted Eggplant Dip (Serves 6 to 8 )

2 medium eggplants, peeled
1 red bell pepper, seeded
1 red onion, peeled
2 garlic cloves, minced
3 tablespoons good olive oil
½ teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
2 tablespoons lemon juice
2 tablespoons tahini
3 tablespoons chopped parsley, plus extra for garnish

Preheat the oven to 400 degrees.

Cut the eggplants, bell pepper, and onion into 1-inch cubes. Toss them in a large bowl with the garlic, olive oil, cayenne and salt, and pepper. Spread them on a baking sheet. Roast for 45 minutes, until the vegetables are lightly browned and soft, tossing once during cooking. Cool slightly.

Place the vegetables in a food processor fitted with a steel blade, add the lemon juice and tahini and pulse 3 or 4 times to blend. Transfer to a bowl and add the chopped parsley. Garnish with extra parsley

 

[nobody really]

eggplant is yummy now i want to go home and make something with eggplant

 

[stockgirl]

That'll be the last thing that they pick out.

 

[itsbob]

BG makes the BEST Eggplant..

What I hate bout the idea of eating eggplant is biting into a soft gushy sponge that WAS an eggplant.

Her's cooks up like a crisp cookie.. AWESOME!!

(and I REALLY like her cookies!!)

 

[Happygirl]

This is one of my favorites for eggplant. I don't use the bread, but I do add about 1/2 grated parm the last 10 minutes of cooking.

Greek Caponata Recipe : Giada De Laurentiis : Recipes : Food Network

 

[LuckyMe143]

I am going to try to make lasgana with the eggplant. I won't tell anyone that I used it and see if they notice.