5 Delicious Ways to Prepare Eggplant
Since eggplant is loaded with fiber, potassium, B Vitamins and manganese, it is no surprise that they are a staple in the diets of healthy eaters. While the purple vegetables are easy enough to find in grocery stores, actually preparing them can feel like a challenge. Whether you’re looking for a vegetarian meal option, a nutritious side dish or a unique meal that is surprisingly low in calories, eggplant can be the perfect option.
The five preparation methods can add some spice to your kitchen and introduce you to some new ways to cook and serve eggplant.
1. Mini Eggplant Pizzas
If you get the craving for pizza but don’t want all the empty calories of a traditional dough, try making mini versions using eggplant as a base. Just slice rounds of eggplant roughly one inch in thickness, coat with olive oil and then bake in the oven for about 20 minutes on one side.
Flip over and then add your favorite pizza toppings. Layer on some marinara sauce, add sliced mushrooms or sprinkle with cheese. Send the mini pizzas back into the oven for 10 minutes or until all toppings are cooked.
2. Eggplant Ratatouille
Ratatouille is a traditional French stew made with vegetables, and eggplant is almost always a key component. To make an eggplant ratatouille at home, start by chopping onions, eggplant, zucchini and tomatoes into chunks.
Cook the onions in a large pot or Dutch oven along with olive oil and some diced garlic, and then add in the remaining vegetables as well as salt and pepper. Add a little water and let the whole dish simmer at a low heat and serve as a tasty vegetable side dish.
3. Baked Eggplant Fries
For a much healthier alternative to French fries, try baked eggplant fries. Start by cutting the eggplant into strips. Then dip them into an egg wash before coating in your choice of almond meal or bread crumbs. Bake for 10-15 minutes, turning once, until the fries are crisp and golden brown.
4. Chicken and Eggplant Parmesan
Cut thick rounds of eggplant to start preparing this tasty Italian classic with a protein punch. Then, dip eggplant rounds into a bowl of egg whites until coated before dipping in a mixture of breadcrumbs, salt and pepper.
Fry in a small amount of olive oil in a pan and then set aside to rest. Pound chicken breasts until thin, coat in olive oil and bake before stacking one eggplant round, one chicken breast and then another eggplant round. Top with tomato sauce and grated cheese and bake in the oven until the cheese has melted.
5. Grilled Eggplant Rounds
When you’ve got lots of eggplant available and you want to supplement burgers or hot dogs on the grill, slice an eggplant into thick rounds and then marinate in a mixture of olive oil and salt.
Place them directly onto the grill for three to four minutes per side. This can be a fantastic and tasty vegetarian meat alternative or a delicious side dish that won’t require you to turn on the oven.
These five delicious recipes can help you make the most of fresh eggplant and add some variety to your culinary routine.
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