Thai Crispy Eggplant Recipe Recipe For Zucchini

THAI BASIL EGGPLANT CURRY

Steps:

• This is written to chop as you go, but if that makes you nervous or you don't think you can work quickly enough, just chop everything first. I'll bet you can do it the second time you make this, though. Again, this makes a LOT of food so you'll need a big wok or cook pot, or cut the quantities in half.
• Put your rice on so it's cooking while you work. Follow the directions on the bag and set a timer if you have one because you'll be distracted. It'll be done before the food is ready but will stay plenty hot enough to serve.
• Start with the carrots and potatoes; slice them fairly thin and saute them in the oil and 1/3 tin of curry paste on medium-high heat for five minutes. Cover and go to the next step.
• Cut the eggplant into bite-sized cubes. You can peel the eggplant if you want but I think both texture and flavor is better if you leave the skin on. Add to the pan; saute, stirring occasionally, another five minutes. Cover and go on to the next step.
• Slice the onion and bell pepper into fairly thin strips and add them to the pan; saute, stirring occasionally, another five minutes. Cover and go to the next step.
• Cut the zucchini into bite-size pieces and add to the pan. Strip the basil leaves off their stems and add them too. Stir and cover. Just one more step and you're done.
• Get a blender out and blend the can of coconut milk with one can full of chicken broth and the second 1/3 of red curry paste. Take a good long whiff of it. WOW! Remember to sneeze away from the food. Call one of your family in to smell it and laugh as they experience the same thing you just did, but not in a mean way so they won't get mad when you then ask them to set the table for you while you finish up. Get excited about how awesome this is going to be.
• Add the coconut/chicken/curry liquid to the pan and let it come to a simmer. Once it's simmering you can check a potato or a carrot for doneness; they should be tender. Dinner's ready!
• Serve in a bowl over steaming white rice and a box of Kleenex on the table because you're probably going to need it. Jasmine rice really is preferable for this. If you serve this worthy food over instant rice I swear I'll drive over there and whup you myself. Instant rice is an abomination in the eyes of the Lord.

ZUCCHINI TOMATO & EGGPLANT GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat your oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Using a sharp knife, carefully slice the tomatoes, zucchini and eggplant into slices about 3/4 inch thick. Lay the zucchini and eggplant slices out on a large cutting board and sprinkle with the salt (set the tomatoes aside separately). Try your best to select vegetables that will create slices with a similar diameter.
• While the zucchini and eggplants sit, heat a large oven-safe skillet over medium heat (I like to use my cast iron skillet for this).
• Add the olive oil to the skillet along with the onions, garlic, thyme, oregano and salt and pepper.
• Saute, stirring often until the onions are soft and transluscent.
• Remove the pan from the heat and make sure the onion mixture forms a smooth base (that everything is evenly distributed in the bottom of the pan).
• Pat the zucchini and eggplant slices dry with some kitchen paper towel.
• Arrange the tomato, zucchini, and eggplant slices in a spiral formation, alternating the slices in a pattern (tomato slice, then zucchini slice, then eggplant slice, and so on).
• Continue arranging until the skillet is full, working from the outside of the pan to the inside.

CRISPY EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Spread eggplant slices on paper towels. Sprinkle generously with coarse salt. Let excess moisture drain from eggplant, about 30 minutes. Rinse and pat dry.
• Combine sesame seeds, hazelnuts, coriander seeds, turmeric, and ginger in a small skillet over low heat. Toast until fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl and stir in bread crumbs.
• Press eggplant slices into bread crumb mixture to coat both sides.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry eggplants in batches until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side.
• Sprinkle fresh cilantro, Espelette pepper, and sea salt over eggplants. Serve with mango chutney.

ROASTED EGGPLANT AND ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Preheat oven and prep veggies: Preheat oven to 400 degrees F (200 C), then wash and cut vegetables. Slice the ends off of zucchini, then cut into 1/4 inch (1/2 centimeter) slices. Slice the top and bottom off the eggplant, then stand the vegetable up and cut into 1-inch slices lengthwise. Then cut the eggplant slices into 1" cubes.
• Season vegetables: Place sliced zucchini and eggplant on a sheet pan and combine with a drizzle of olive oil. Once completely coated in oil, season the vegetables with sliced garlic, salt, pepper and any other dried or fresh herbs that you prefer.
• Roast vegetables: Bake veggies in the oven until soft and brown around the edges, which will take about 25 minutes. 10-15 minutes into cooking, toss the vegetables so they brown on all sides. Remove from the oven and serve immediately as a side dish, or let them cool and mix into salads.

CRISPY SZECHUAN-STYLE EGGPLANT AND TOFU

Steps:

• In a shallow dish, combine 2/3 cup of the cornstarch, the salt and pepper. Toss the eggplant pieces in the cornstarch mixture to coat, shaking off the excess; set aside. Repeat the process with the tofu.
• Heat 1/2 inch of the peanut oil in a large, deep, straight-sided skillet over medium heat until it shimmers. Working in batches, cook the eggplant first, tossing gently until golden brown, about 3 minutes on each side. Transfer to a paper-towel-lined plate to drain. Repeat with the remaining eggplant and the tofu.
• In a small bowl, whisk together the chicken stock, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, lime juice and remaining 2 teaspoons cornstarch.
• Carefully drain the oil from the skillet, and wipe out any residue using paper towels held with tongs. Add 1 tablespoon of peanut oil to the skillet and heat it over medium heat. Add the ginger, about 1 teaspoon of the minced chiles (or to taste) and the garlic. Cook, stirring, until just fragrant, about 30 seconds; pour in the chicken stock mixture and bring it to a simmer. Simmer until slightly thickened, 2 to 3 minutes.
• Add the cooked eggplant and tofu to the skillet and toss gently to combine. Stir in the sesame oil and remove from the heat. Serve immediately over rice and garnished with the remaining minced chiles if desired and chopped cilantro.

CRISPY FRIED EGGPLANT AND ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Pulse bread crumbs in a food processor into a fine powder. Pour into a bowl; stir in 3 tablespoons tapioca starch.
• Place 1/2 cup tapioca starch and eggs in separate bowls.
• Dust each piece of eggplant and zucchini with tapioca starch; dip into the eggs and coat with bread crumb mixture. Arrange dredged vegetables on a baking sheet.
• Heat 1 1/2 inches oil in a saucepan to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Fry vegetables in batches, turning occasionally, until golden and heated through, about 4 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Drizzle vinegar over vegetables. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese on top; season with salt. Serve with ranch dressing and lemon wedges.

THAI ZUCCHINI

Steps:

• Cook garlic, ginger, and red pepper in oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat for 1 minute, stirring constantly.
• Add peanuts and next 4 ingredients, stirring well.
• Add zucchini, and cook, stirring constantly, for about 5 minutes, or until crisp tender.
• Serve immediately.