Simple Italian Fried Eggplant Recipes

SIMPLE ITALIAN FRIED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Wash and dry eggplant. Cut of the stems at both ends. Using a sharp, serrated knife, or a Mandoline cut the eggplant into 1/4 inch round pieces leaving the skin on.
• Lie the eggplant slices onto a large platter slightly overlapping. Sprinkle salt onto eggplant. Layer if needed but, salt each layer. When done, let eggplant rest for 15 so the brown, bitter juice can "sweat out."
• Meanwhile, heat the oil on med/high heat in a large frying pan and make the dredging station: Put flour onto a paper plate (easier clean up) and the beaten eggs into a shallow bowl. Line a platter with two paper towels for draining the fried eggplant.
• When eggplant slices are done sweating out the bitter, brown juice, dip them in this order: first in the flour and then dunk them in the eggs until fully coated with egg on both sides and then in the frying pan. Repeat these steps. The next step talks more about frying.
• Fry eggplant slices in med/high heat 365 degrees if using an oil thermometer, for about 3 minutes per side or until golden brown. Thicker slices will need to cook a bit longer. Drain the fried eggplant slices on the paper towel-lined platter.

FRIED EGGPLANT CUTLETS

Steps:

• Wash your eggplant, and remove skin if concerned over the use of pesticides. If organic, there is no need to peel.
• Slice eggplant into 1/4 inch round slices and drain if you have the time. If draining, just lay slices in a strainer rather than cube them.
• Mix the breadcrumbs and Romano (or Parmesan) cheese in a bowl.
• Place the flour in a second bowl and mix the eggs in a third bowl. You can remove the yolks, and just use egg whites, but add in an extra egg.
• Pour in enough olive oil in a sauce pan so there is about 1/4 inch of olive oil in the pan. Heat to medium-high heat.
• Dip the eggplant in the flour (tap off excess), then egg, then breadcrumbs mixture and place in hot oil.
• Do this for each of the eggplant slices and cook for about 2 minutes until the bread crumbs are golden brown, and flip.
• Cook for about 1 minute more.
• Remove each slice from the pan and place on a paper towel (on a plate) to let the oil drain.
• Continue the process until all slices are used. Add more oil if needed during the process.
• Serve warm.

ITALIAN FRIED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Heat cooking oil until hot. Put eggs and flour in separate bowls. Dip each eggplant slice, first in the flour, then in the eggs, until throughly covered on both sides. Place each eggplant slice in the pan and cook until golden brown. Place eggplant slices in baking pan. Top each with marinara sauce and bake for 10 minutes. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese.

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.

EASY FRIED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Dip eggplant slices in egg, then in crumbs, and place in hot oil. Fry 2 to 3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

ITALIAN FRIED EGGPLANT BALLS

Steps:

• Place eggplant in a pot of salted water, bring pot to a boil. Let eggplant cook until tender; drain well.
• In an electric food processor, combine eggplant, flour, egg, white pepper, and pepperoncini. Blend until a smooth paste is formed.
• In a heavy pot or deep fryer, heat vegetable oil to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Drop eggplant paste into the oil one spoonful at a time. Fry until the eggplant balls are golden. Salt to taste and drain on paper towels before serving.

GRANDMA'S ITALIAN EGGPLANT PARMIGIANA

Steps:

• Lay eggplant slices on top of paper towels and sprinkle with sea salt to draw out moisture. Cover with additional paper towels. Let sit, 8 hours to overnight.
• Place flour into a 1-gallon plastic zip-top bag. Sprinkle salt and pepper into the flour and shake the bag to mix. Place 6 eggplant slices into the bag, seal, and shake to coat.
• Beat eggs and water together using a fork in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
• Heat 2 inches of oil over medium-high heat in a 10-inch cast iron skillet. Line baking sheets with paper towels to drain eggplants after frying.
• Shake excess flour from eggplant slices and place into egg mixture, turning to ensure both sides are coated. Allow excess egg mixture to drip off before placing slices into the hot oil. Fry until slightly golden, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to the paper towel-lined baking sheets. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon Pecorino Romano cheese. Repeat process until all eggplant slices are fried. Let cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Pour a small amount of tomato sauce into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking pan to cover. Place 1/3 of the eggplant slices over sauce, slightly overlapping them. Sprinkle 1/3 of the remaining Pecorino-Romano cheese and Parmesan cheese evenly over the slices. Cover with a light layer of sauce. Sprinkle 1/3 of the mozzarella cheese over sauce. Repeat for a total of 3 layers.
• Bake in the preheated oven until bubbly, about 40 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes to set.