Pan Fried Eggplant With Balsamic Basil Capers Recipe 445

PAN-FRIED EGGPLANT WITH BALSAMIC, BASIL, & CAPERS RECIPE - (4.4/5)

Steps:

• Simmer vinegar over medium heat in a 1 quart saucepan until reduced to a thick syrup, about 15 minutes. Heat half the oil in a 12" skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches and adding more oil as needed, fry eggplant, flipping once, until golden-brown, 5-7 minutes; transfer to paper towels to drain and season with salt and pepper. Arrange on a platter; drizzle with balsamic; garnish with capers and basil.

PARMESAN EGGPLANT FRIES WITH BASIL KETCHUP

Steps:

• For the ketchup: In a small saucepan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring, until the garlic is softened and fragrant, about 1 minute. Stir in the tomato sauce, vinegar, brown sugar, tomato paste, basil, salt and Worcestershire sauce and bring to a simmer. Lower the heat and continue to cook, stirring occasionally, until thick, about 30 minutes. Remove the garlic, cool to room temperature and refrigerate until ready to use (can be refrigerated for up to 1 week).
• For the fries: Place two racks in the upper and middle thirds of the oven and preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Insert a wire rack into a large baking sheet.
• Whisk together the flour, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Lightly beat the eggs in a medium bowl. Combine the panko and the Parmesan in another medium bowl.
• Slice off both ends of the eggplant. Cut the eggplant in half lengthwise and slice each half into 1/2-to-3/4-inch thick layers, then cut each layer into 1/2-inch sticks. After all of the fries are cut, drop them into the flour and lightly toss them to coat evenly. Working in batches of a few at a time, dip the floured fries into the egg and then into the panko mixture. Place the fries on the wire rack in the baking sheet, leaving an 1/8-inch space between each fry.
• Bake the fries until they are golden brown, about 15 minutes. Season the fries with the remaining salt and serve with Basil Ketchup.

EGGPLANT PARMESAN WITH BALSAMIC GLAZE

Steps:

• For the balsamic glaze: Put the vinegar in a small nonreactive saucepan over high heat and cook until reduced to 1/2 cup, 12 to 15 minutes. Stir in the honey and season with salt and pepper. Transfer to a small bowl and let cool to room temperature.
• For the roasted red pepper tomato sauce: Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook until soft. Add the garlic and red chile flakes and cook for 1 minute.
• Add the tomatoes and their juices, salt and pepper, bring to a boil and cook, stirring occasionally, until the tomatoes begin to soften, 20 minutes. Coarsely mash the tomatoes with a potato masher. Add the pureed piquillo peppers and cook over high heat, stirring occasionally. Add the oregano and half of the basil and cook until the sauce is thickened, about 25 minutes more. Taste for seasoning and stir in the parsley. Reserve the remaining basil for serving.
• For the eggplant: Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly butter the bottom and sides of a 15-by-10-by-2-inch flameproof baking dish and set aside. Heat the oil in a large Dutch oven or deep fryer to 365 degrees F.
• Combine the fontina and shredded mozzarella in a bowl and set aside. Combine the breadcrumbs and panko in a large shallow baking dish and season with salt and pepper. Place the flour in a medium shallow baking dish or large plate and season with salt and pepper. Whisk the egg and 2 tablespoons of water together in another medium shallow baking dish and season with salt and pepper.
• Season each eggplant slice on both sides with salt and pepper. Dredge each eggplant slice in the flour, tapping off the excess, then dip it in the egg and dredge it in the breadcrumb mixture. Shake off any excess breading and transfer the eggplant to a baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining eggplant slices. Fry the eggplant slices in batches until tender and golden brown on each side and tender, about 2 minutes per side. Remove to a baking sheet lined with paper towels and season with salt.
• Lay 8 slices of the fried eggplant in the prepared baking dish, top each slice with about 1/4 cup of the roasted red pepper tomato sauce, 1/4 cup of the combined cheeses and a tablespoon of the remaining chopped basil. Season with salt and pepper. Take 4 of the topped eggplant slices and place them on the other 4 so you have a total of 4 eggplant stacks. Top each stack with one more eggplant slice, 1/4 cup of the sauce, some of the basil and a few thin slices of the fresh mozzarella. Bake until the cheese melts, 8 to 10 minutes. Place under the broiler and broil until the fresh mozzarella is golden brown, about 30 seconds. Top with the remaining chopped fresh basil and drizzle with the balsamic glaze.

GRILLED BALSAMIC EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Add the marinade ingredients into a bag tossing to combine. Add the 4 quarters of the eggplant and marinade for 1 hour at room temperature or overnight in the refrigerator.
• Preheat grill to high. Place the wedges on the grates reserving the marinade.Grill on hot oiled grates lowering heat to medium.
• Brown on all three sides. Marking each side. Will be ready when easy to remove from grate. For more tender move to indirect heat and grill till desired. About 10 minutes.
• Pour the reserved marinade over the hot eggplant.

ITALIAN GRILLED EGGPLANT WITH BASIL AND PARSLEY (MELANZANE GRIGLIATE AL BASILICO E PREZZEMOLO)

Steps:

• Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.
• Brush eggplant lightly with olive oil on both sides. Stir together remaining olive oil, garlic, and salt in a small bowl.
• Arrange eggplant slices on the preheated grill and cook, turning occasionally, until tender and browned, 3 to 4 minutes per side.
• Arrange grilled eggplant on a platter. Brush with the olive oil and garlic mixture until eggplant has absorbed the oil. Sprinkle with the chopped basil and parsley and serve.

PAN-FRIED EGGPLANT WITH ONION, CAPER AND HERB SAUCE

Steps:

• Peel eggplants and slice into 3/4 inch slices. Sprinkle both sides with salt, and let sit about 20 minutes to draw out the water. Blot both sides with paper towel.
• Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in large non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook eggplant about 4-5 minutes on each side, until cooked through and browned. Remove eggplant to serving dish.
• While eggplant is cooking, combine capers, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, parsley, basil and 1 tbsp olive oil. For a finely chopped sauce, you can pulse this mixture in a food processor, otherwise can leave as is (if not using capers, leave as is).
• Add last tbsp olive oil to pan, heat about 30 seconds, then add red onion and saute 2-3 minutes. Add minced garlic and saute another minute. Add caper mixture and heat through for about a minute.
• Pour sauce over eggplant and serve immediately.

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.

SAUTEED EGGPLANT WITH TOMATOES AND BALSAMIC VINEGAR

Steps:

• Place the eggplant in a large, wide bowl. Pour in the water, add 1/4 c salt, and stir together. Cover with a plate and place a weight, such as a can of tomatoes, on top of the plate to keep the eggplant submerged. Soak the eggplant in the salted water for 1-2 hours. Drain and pat dry.
• Heat the oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat and add the onion. Cook, stirring often, until tender, abut 5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook for 30 seconds to a minute, until fragrant.
• Add the eggplant and turn the heat to medium-high. Cook, stirring often, until the eggplant is browned and just about tender, about 10 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Add the balsamic vinegar and stir for a minute, then add the tomatoes. When the tomatoes begin to cook quickly, reduce the heat to medium. Cook, stirring often, for 10 minutes, until the tomatoes have cooked down a bit. Cover the pan, reduce the heat to medium-low, and continue to cook for another 5 to 10 minutes, until the eggplant is very tender and the mixture is thick. Taste and adjust seasonings. Stir in the basil.
• Transfer to a serving dish. Cool slightly and serve. This is excellent at room temperature.

PAN-FRIED EGGPLANT SALAD WITH TOMATOES

Steps:

• Lay out eggplant pieces on a baking sheet, sprinkle generously with salt and set aside for 1 hour. Wipe off salt with a paper towel and pat eggplant dry.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet and place eggplant pieces in 1 layer into the skillet in batches. Pan-fry, individually turning the pieces with a fork, until eggplant is cooked through, 10 to 15 minutes. Repeat with remaining eggplant pieces. Allow to cool, about 20 minutes.
• Combine remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, vinegar, and pepper in a small bowl. Mix capers into the dressing.
• Mix eggplants, cherry tomatoes, and dressing in a bowl.

BALSAMIC EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) PARMESAN

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Combine vinegar, oil, oregano, 1/2 tsp each salt, pepper and sugar.
• Coat large cookie sheet with vegetable cooking spray.
• Brush both sides of eggplant with vinegar mixture and arrange in single layer on cookie sheet.
• Bake 15 minutes per side or until fork-tender.
• Combine onions, garlic, and 2 Tbsp of wine in large non-stick skillet, stirring over medium-high head until onions are soft, approximately 5 minutes.
• Stir in stewed tomatoes with their liquid, chopped tomato, basil, remaining 2 Tbsp wine, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/4 tsp sugar.
• Bring to boil over high heat; reduce heat and simmer uncovered, stirring occasionally to break up tomatoes, 10 minute.
• Makes approximately 2 1/2 cup sauce.
• Note: In a pinch I have used canned spaghetti sauce, and it worked just fine.
• Spoon one third of the sauce into shallow 2-quart baking dish.
• Arrange half the eggplant over sauce.
• Spoon half the remaining sauce over eggplant.
• Sprinkle on half of the mozzarella.
• Layer again with remaining eggplant, sauce and mozzarella.
• Top with parmesan.
• Cover with foil and bake 30 minutes.
• Bake uncovered 15 to 20 minutes more, until bubbly.
• Let stand 15 minutes before serving for easier cutting.
• Enjoy!

BA'S BEST EGGPLANT PARMESAN

Steps:

• Marinara:
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Heat oil in a large heavy ovenproof pot over medium. Cook garlic, stirring often, until golden, about 4 minutes. Add onion, anchovies (if using), and red pepper flakes and cook, stirring often, until onion is translucent, about 5 minutes. Stir in tomato paste and cook, stirring often, until slightly darkened, about 2 minutes. Add wine, bring to a boil, and cook until almost completely evaporated, about 1 minute. Add tomatoes, breaking up with your hands, and their juices; add basil and oregano and stir to combine. Swirl 1 1/2 cups water into one tomato can, then the other, to rinse, and add to pot; season with salt. Transfer pot to oven; roast sauce, stirring halfway through, until thick and tomatoes are browned on top and around edges of pot, 2-2 1/2 hours.
• Let sauce cool slightly. Pass through the large holes of a food mill or process in a food processor until mostly smooth. Taste and season with salt.
• Lightly season eggplant slices all over with salt; place in a single layer on several layers of paper towels inside a rimmed baking sheet. Top with another layer of paper towels and more slices; repeat as needed. Top with a final layer of paper towels, then another rimmed baking sheet; weigh down with a heavy pot. Let eggplant sit until it has released excess liquid, 45-60 minutes. This step gives the eggplant a creamy texture when baked.
• Meanwhile, pulse panko, oregano, pepper, and 3/4 cup Parmesan in a food processor until very finely ground. Transfer to a shallow bowl.
• Preheat oven to 350°F. Place flour in another shallow bowl and eggs in a third shallow bowl. Working one at a time, dredge eggplant slices in flour, then dip in egg, allowing excess to drip off. Coat in breadcrumbs, packing all around, then shaking off excess. Place on wire racks.
• Heat 2/3 cup oil in a large skillet, preferably cast iron, over medium-high. Cook as many eggplant slices as will comfortably fit in pan, turning once, until deep golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer to paper towels and immediately press with more paper towel to absorb oil. Working in batches, repeat with remaining slices, adding remaining 2/3 cup oil and wiping out skillet as needed. Let cool. Taste and season with more salt if needed.
• Toss chopped herbs, low-moisture mozzarella, and remaining 3/4 cup Parmesan in a medium bowl. Spread 1 cup sauce over the bottom of a 13x9" baking pan; top with a layer of eggplant slices (trim as needed). Drizzle 1 cup sauce over and sprinkle with one-third of cheese mixture. Add another layer of eggplant, followed by 1 cup sauce and half of remaining cheese mixture. Repeat layers with remaining slices, sauce, and cheese mixture. Cover with foil and bake on a rimmed baking sheet until eggplant is custardy, 45-60 minutes.
• Remove from oven and arrange fresh mozzarella over eggplant. Increase oven temperature to 425°F and bake, uncovered, until cheese is bubbling and browned in spots, 15-20 minutes longer. Let rest 30 minutes. Top with basil leaves just before slicing.
• Do Ahead
• Marinara can be made 2 days ahead. Cover and chill. Eggplant Parmesan can be made 2 days ahead. Let cool; cover with foil and chill. Reheat in a 350°F oven, uncovering halfway through, until bubbling gently at edges.

SHEET PAN VEGAN ROASTED EGGPLANT WITH GARLIC

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Place eggplant slices in a single layer on the baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with garlic powder, smoked paprika, and Italian seasoning.
• Roast in the preheated oven until golden and crispy, about 25 minutes. Sprinkle with salt.

BAKED 'FRIED' BREADED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil; coat with about 1 teaspoon olive oil.
• Combine bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, garlic powder, oregano, basil, salt, and pepper in a shallow dish.
• Combine eggs with a splash of water in a separate shallow dish. Coat both sides of an eggplant slice with the egg mixture. Dip eggplant slice in the bread crumb mixture to coat. Place slice onto the baking sheet. Repeat coating the remaining eggplant slices. Drizzle remaining 2 teaspoons olive oil over the breaded slices.
• Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes.