Cajun Fried Eggplant Recipes

FRIED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Peel 2 small eggplants and cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds. Put 1 cup flour in a shallow bowl, beat 4 eggs in another bowl and put 1 cup breadcrumbs in another. Coat the eggplant in flour, then egg (let any excess drip off), then breadcrumbs. Heat 1/4 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the eggplant in batches until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side (add more oil if necessary). Drain on a rack and sprinkle with salt.

CRISP FRIED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Put the cornstarch, the egg beaten with 1/2 teaspoon of the salt, and the bread crumbs in separate small dishes. Dredge each eggplant slice in the cornstarch, coating it thoroughly and shaking off the excess, coat it with the egg mixture, and dredge it in the bread crumbs, pressing on the crumbs to make them adhere. Transfer the eggplant as it is coated to paper towels and let it dry slightly. In a deep heavy skillet fry the eggplant slices in batches in 1/2 inch of 375°F. oil for 1 minute on each side, or until they are golden brown, and transfer them with tongs to paper towels to drain. Sprinkle the eggplant lightly with the additional salt and serve it with the lemon wedges.

PAN-FRIED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Shake flour, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and garlic powder together in a gallon-size resealable plastic bag.
• Pour oil into a large iron skillet over medium heat. Coat a handful eggplant slices with the flour mixture. Add to the hot oil; cook until crisp and light brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and cook until other side is browned, 1 to 2 minutes more. Remove slices carefully and move to a plate or cooling rack; cover with paper towels. Repeat with the remaining eggplant slices.

SPICY CAJUN DEEP FRIED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• In a bowl, combine the Parmesan cheese, the cornmeal, and the spices. Whisk to combine. In a second bowl, whisk together the eggs, the milk, and the hot sauce.
• Dip the eggplant slices first into the cornmeal mixture, then into the egg mixture, then back into the cornmeal mixture. Place on a metal baking sheet.
• Heat the oven to 200°F Place an empty baking sheet in the oven.
• Meanwhile, in a large, heavy (cast iron is best) skillet, heat 2 - 3 inches of vegetable oil over medium high heat to 350°F If the oil begins to smoke, remove the skillet from the heat until it cools down slightly.
• With tongs, carefully drop 3 - 5 of the coated eggplant slices into the hot oil. Do not overcrowd or the eggplant will simmer and not crisp up. Cook the eggplant until golden, then carefully turn over, about 2 minutes on each side.
• Drain briefly on paper towels. To keep warm until serving, place the fried eggplant slice in a single layer on the baking sheet in the oven.
• Allow the oil to return to 350°F before frying up the next batch.

RAGIN' CAJUN EGGPLANT AND SHRIMP SKILLET

Steps:

• Place eggplant in a large saucepan; add water to cover. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, covered, until tender, 3-4 minutes. Drain., Preheat oven to 350°. In an ovenproof skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Add celery, onion and green pepper; saute until tender, about 5 minutes. Reduce heat to medium; stir in tomatoes and eggplant. Saute 5 minutes. Stir in seasonings. Add shrimp and bread crumbs; saute 5 minutes longer, stirring well., Bake 30 minutes. Remove skillet from oven; top with cheese. Bake 5 minutes more.

FRIED EGGPLANT GALATOIRE'S

Steps:

• In a bowl toss eggplant with salt. Cover eggplant directly with a plate and weight with a 1-pound can. Let eggplant stand 1 hour, or until it gives off most of its liquid. Rinse eggplant and drain well. Pat eggplant very dry with paper towels and in a bowl dredge in flour, shaking off excess.
• In a 4- to 5-quart heavy saucepan heat 1 inch oil to 375°F. on a deep-fat thermometer and fry eggplant in 3 or 4 batches, stirring gently, until golden brown. Transfer eggplant with slotted spoon to paper towels to drain.
• Serve eggplant hot with sugar for dipping.