Baby Eggplant Recipes

GRILLED BABY EGGPLANT WITH BALSAMIC GLAZE

Steps:

• For the grilled baby eggplant: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium high.
• Cut off the stems from the baby eggplant and slice them in half lengthwise. Make a 1/2-inch-deep crosshatch pattern on the flesh side of each using a knife. Put them in a medium bowl.
• In a small bowl, mix together the oil, rosemary and garlic. Pour the mixture over the eggplant, tossing to coat completely, and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Grill, flipping halfway through, until tender and dark, about 10 minutes.
• For the glaze: Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine the oil, stock, balsamic vinegar, honey, mustard, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Cook over low heat until the glaze is reduced by half, about 10 minutes. Drizzle over the eggplant to serve.

EASIEST EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• Place the bread crumbs in a shallow dish. Coat each slice of eggplant on both sides with mayonnaise. Press into the bread crumbs to coat. Place coated eggplant slices on the prepared baking sheet.
• Bake for 20 minutes in the preheated oven, until golden brown. Flip slices over, and cook for an additional 20 to 25 minutes to brown the other side.

ROASTED BABY EGGPLANT, TOMATO, AND ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil.
• Put eggplant cubes in a colander set over a bowl. Sprinkle salt liberally over the eggplant cubes; let sit to drain for 30 minutes.
• Toss tomatoes, zucchini, onion, and garlic together in a bowl. Drizzle olive oil over the mixture and toss to coat; season with salt and pepper.
• Rinse eggplant to remove salt and pat dry with paper towel; add to the tomato mixture and stir. Add olive oil as necessary to assure the eggplant cubes are coated. Spread the vegetable mixture onto the prepared baking sheet.
• Roast in preheated oven until the vegetables are tender, about 30 minutes.

SAUTEED BABY EGGPLANTS

Steps:

• Peel a 1-inch-wide strip of skin lengthwise from each eggplant half opposite cut side. Sprinkle eggplants with salt on both sides and let drain on a rack set over a shallow baking pan 20 minutes. Rinse eggplants well, then firmly squeeze out moisture and pat dry with paper towels.
• Stir together soy sauce and mirin in a small bowl.
• Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy nonstick skillet over moderate heat until hot but not smoking, then fry eggplants, peeled sides down, until undersides are browned, 5 to 6 minutes.
• Turn over and brush with soy mixture. Fry eggplants until tender, 4 to 6 minutes more, then add remaining soy mixture to skillet and cook, turning eggplants once or twice, until liquid is absorbed, about 2 minutes.
• *Available at Asian markets, specialty foods shops, and Uwajimaya (800-889-1928).

GRILLED BABY EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Slice off the green tops and cut the eggplants in half. Score in a criss-cross pattern using a knife. Salt and leave the eggplants for one hour. Pat dry.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Sprinkle the eggplant with garlic and breadcrumbs. Place the eggplants in an oiled baking tin. Trickle on the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
• Bake the eggplants for 20 to 30 minutes or until they are soft and golden. Sprinkle with basil and serve at room temperature.