What is the trick to cooking eggplant?

Slice your eggplant with the skin on as this will help it keep its shape. Brush it lightly with oil. Grill it over a hot flame until the flesh is tender and you have beautiful char marks, about five minutes per side.

Why do you soak eggplant in water before cooking?

Salting versus brining It will, however, help the spongy flesh absorb less oil and crisp up like a dream. To salt, just slice the eggplant into rounds, scatter 1 teaspoon of salt on top, leave for 30 minutes, then pat dry. Brining (soaking in salted water) will do the same job but also make the flesh super creamy .

Which cooking method is most appropriate for eggplant?

Eggplant's meaty texture makes it a natural for cooking on the grill , whether you're cooking it outdoors or on an indoor grill pan—and grilling gives eggplant a great smoky flavor.

What is the secret to tender eggplant?

The other trick for perfect roasted eggplant? Cooking it at a high temperature (425 F / 218 C) for enough time (25-30 minutes) to give it a browned exterior and tender interior.

Should I peel eggplant before cooking?

While the skin of a small young eggplant is edible, the skin becomes bitter on larger or older eggplants and should be peeled. When in doubt, the answer to, "Do you peel eggplant before cooking?" is yes, peel it . Use a vegetable peeler or paring knife to remove the skin.

How is eggplant best prepared?

Eggplants can be grilled, steamed, braised, stir-fried, deep-fried and roasted . For a smoky flavour, turn whole eggplants over an open flame on the barbecue or stovetop until the skin is charred, then scoop out the flesh. Choose eggplants with smooth and shiny skin that is even across the surface.

Why do you not salt eggplant before cooking?

While frying eggplant is the best case pre-salting, it's more obsolete for baking and roasting recipes. Why? It's all about timing. “I wouldn't bother salting if you have a long cooking time, as the eggplant will eventually break down and become creamy ,” says Anna Theoktisto in the Food & Wine Test Kitchen.

When not to use eggplant?

If your eggplant is soft to the touch, that's an indication that it's beginning to spoil. In addition, if the flesh of the eggplant is slimy , you'll want to throw it away.

Why do you soak eggplant in vinegar?

The secret for keeping the purple in eggplants is soaking it in vinegar for 5 minutes. This step is optional as it doesn't affect the taste, but if you are serving guests, soak the eggplant in 6 cups of water and 3 tbsp of vinegar for 5 minutes, and the eggplant will stay nice and purple even after steaming.

How do you get the most flavor out of eggplant?

Brining adds flavor and texture to eggplants . "Mix spices and salt with water, then soak sliced eggplant in the brine for 30 minutes before cooking.

Is it necessary to peel eggplant before cooking?

If it's an extra-large eggplant, the vegetable could be older and the skin tougher, therefore, it's a smart idea to peel it . But small, young eggplant have thin, tender skins that add great texture to the vegetable when cooked.

Is it really necessary to salt eggplant before cooking?

It's all about timing. “ I wouldn't bother salting if you have a long cooking time, as the eggplant will eventually break down and become creamy ,” says Anna Theoktisto in the Food & Wine Test Kitchen. If you have a quick cook time, it would probably be beneficial to salt to get a better texture on the end product.”

Simple Eggplant Recipes and Cooking Tips (2024)

August 2020Simple Eggplant Recipes and Cooking Tips

By Nancy Ghanem

Cooking eggplant can be a little intimidating. But when prepared properly, eggplant is a nutrient-dense and versatile vegetable that works well as an entrée, side dish, feature ingredient or dip. If you’ve been skeptical about cooking eggplant because its seems too spongy or soggy, check out these simple tips and tricks for getting that ideal taste and texture.

Simple Eggplant Recipes and Cooking Tips (1)

Is eggplant a fruit or vegetable?

Although it is prepared as a culinary vegetable, eggplant (also known as aubergine) is botanically classified as a fruit. It is also considered a berry because of its numerous small, edible seeds. The small ornamental varieties European settlers introduced to the United States resembled goose and hen eggs, thus inspired the name “eggplant”.

Eggplant around the world

Eggplant is native to India and Southeast Asia and usually grown in areas with a mild climate. It is very popular in France, Egypt, Italy and frequently used across the Middle East and Asia.

Why is eggplant healthy?

Eggplants are nutritionally abundant in many vitamins and minerals, including folate and vitamin B6.
They are rich in anthocyanin, which is the compound responsible for eggplant’s rich purple color. Anthocyanins are antioxidants that have many health-promoting qualities.
Eggplants also contain nasunin, an antioxidant that can help protect the brain from free radical damage.
Like other fruits and vegetables, eggplants contain fiber, which is helpful for feeling full, balancing out blood sugar and digestive regularity.

Shop for the Perfect Eggplant

Smaller eggplant tend to be less bitter than bigger ones. Choose the fruit with a firm, smooth skin that feels heavy for its size.
Avoid fruit with soft or brown spots.
Gently press against the middle of the eggplant with your thumb, if it bounces back, it is ripe! If it remains indented, it is likely overripe and mushy.

Quick and Easy Eggplant Recipe Ideas

Simple Eggplant Recipes and Cooking Tips (2)

The quickest way to enjoy eggplant is to simply slice it and throw it on the grill. Eggplant can be diced, sauteed and used in pasta dishes, ratatouille, stir fry, hummus, curry or casseroles. It can also be an entrée course as stuffed eggplant or eggplant Parmesan. Get crafty with eggplant fries, shakshuka, and tartines. Check out these classic KRNC eggplant recipes:

Baba Ganoush (our August Recipe of the Month!)
Herb Grilled Eggplant
Eggplant Bruschetta

Eggplant Cooking Tips

Raw eggplant is bitter and tastes better when it is cooked.
All eggplants have spongy flesh with many air pockets that collapse when cooked, creating a creamy texture.
Long, thin Chinese or Japanese varieties are mild and hold their form better when cooked.
Eggplant skin is edible, but can be peeled or stripped based on personal preference.
Eggplants are known to absorb a lot of fat while cooking. A useful tip to prevent sogginess and greasiness is to salt sliced or diced eggplant and let it sit for an hour. This helps to draw out moisture. Next, rinse and drain any liquid from the sliced eggplant, then pat dry before cooking. This will further soften the eggplant preventing it from soaking up fat while cooking.
If you cook eggplant in a pan, make sure its in an even layer with some space between the pieces so that the eggplant doesn’t steam.

Get to know our author:

Ghanem is a senior majoring in Food Science and Human Nutrition. She is specifically interested in studying and exploring the relationship between nutrition and chronic disease. Ghanem is also planning to work with under-served populations and providing interventions that prevent and manage chronic diseases in order to improve the quality of life for these individuals. Some fun facts about Ghanem are that she is from Cairo, Egypt and plays tennis for CSU.

More Information

For additional resources to healthy eating, check out these programs from our registered dietitian nutritionists. Find delicious and healthy recipes on our Recipes page! More health tips are also available at the College of Health and Human Sciences Pinterest board. Lastly, don’t forget to sign up for the KRNC monthly newsletter!

Simple Eggplant Recipes and Cooking Tips (2024)

August 2020Simple Eggplant Recipes and Cooking Tips

Get to know our author:

More Information

FAQs

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