As we speak’s publish is a recipe for the right way to cook dinner eggplant on the range with nearly no oil. I take advantage of a extremely efficient, easy pan-steaming technique used for Asian dumplings like gyoza! Plus, I’m sharing 8+ methods to serve this pan fried eggplant. Which one is your favorite??
How I cook dinner eggplant on the range with nearly no oil!
Anyone who has ever cooked eggplant is aware of they’re grasping oil-sucking sponges. So right here’s how I cook dinner them on the range utilizing little or no oil – lower than 1/2 teaspoon of oil for a WHOLE eggplant!
Mainly, I cook dinner them the identical approach I do Asian dumplings – seared then pan-steamed. So that you simply have to spray the eggplant with oil earlier than cooking in a dry pan. Works a deal with, tremendous quick, and extremely wholesome.
It’s additionally an awesome technique to cook dinner thick slabs of eggplant on the range which generally is a bit difficult to do with out burning the floor!
So whereas in the present day’s publish might sound a little bit misplaced amongst the same old meal recipes I share, I believe it’s a very helpful one that may serve you nicely for the remainder of your life.
Plus, I’m sharing a complete bunch of how to serve this pan fried eggplant. Spend these energy you saved whereas cooking the eggplant on the toppings to show it right into a tasty meal!! Right here’s a little bit preview of a few of a pair: Caprese Eggplant (left) and Hainanese Eggplant (proper).
Components
In case you give me oil, salt and pepper totally free, then it is a ONE ingredient recipe – simply eggplant!!
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Eggplant varieties – This recipe will work for giant or small eggplants, together with Asian eggplants. It’s worthwhile to minimize them into rounds or lengthwise into lengthy slabs so there’s no less than one minimize face that sits flat on the pan, so it cooks by way of. For Asian eggplants, I simply break up them in half lengthwise.
Thickness – Minimize the eggplant as much as 2 ½ cm / 1” thick. You’ll be amazed how rapidly it cooks by way of! After searing the floor, it solely takes about 2 minutes for the center to change into delicate utilizing the pan-steaming technique.
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Oil spray – That is the easiest way to get oil protection utilizing little or no oil. I attempted to measure it out and I used lower than ½ teaspoon oil throughout 8 slices of eggplant, spraying generously. I like utilizing olive oil spray as a result of it has higher flavour.
However when you don’t have or favor to not use spray, simply brush oil on. You’ll want about 2 tablespoons for 8 slices. Use any oil you need – olive oil, vegetable, canola, coconut oil, even melted butter.
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Including different flavours – This recipe is a clean canvas you’ll be able to absorb many instructions! Sprinkle the eggplant with a seasoning (paprika, onion and garlic is a foolproof mixture) or brush with harissa paste combined into the oil.
For in the present day’s recipe, I’m searing the eggplants with simply salt and pepper then offering an inventory of choices for the right way to serve it with sauces and toppings. Simply wait till you see all the probabilities!
How you can cook dinner eggplant on the range – with little or no oil!
You’ll want a big frying pan with a lid for this recipe. I take advantage of the lid of a big pot which is bigger than my pan. You possibly can additionally use a big baking tray or one other frying pan. Something to lure the steam in!
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Minimize the eggplant into rounds. I like thick meaty rounds about 2 cm / 0.8” thick, although this technique will cook dinner for thinner rounds too, and as much as about 3 cm / 1.2”.
Notice on thickness: This technique is to cook dinner thick slices of eggplant. In case you are after skinny slices, say 5mm / 0.2” thick, there’s no have to pan steam. Simply spray with oil and pan sear, it would solely take a few minutes on all sides to cook dinner by way of.
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Spray the floor generously with oil, then sprinkle with salt (you should utilize pepper too, if you would like).
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Sear – Warmth a big non-stick pan over medium excessive warmth, with no oil. Then place the eggplant within the pan and sear till browned on each side. This may take 1 ½ to 2 minutes, relying on how nicely the warmth distributes in your pan and the way large your burner is. Management the warmth as wanted for good even browning.
At this stage, the eggplant will nonetheless be fully uncooked inside.
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Add water – Rigorously pour ¼ cup of water across the eggplant. The water will bubble up and get steamy rapidly so pour slowly.
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Pan-steam – Shortly put the lid on to lure the steam to cook dinner the eggplant. Go away it for two minutes or till the water has evaporated.
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Verify to see if the eggplant is cooked by stabbing it with a butter knife (not a pointy reducing knife as it’s too sharp so you’ll be able to’t inform if the eggplant is totally cooked or not). It ought to be fully delicate right through. If not, simply add a splash of water and hold steaming. That’s the beauty of this system, you’ll be able to hold doing this a number of occasions till the eggplant is cooked by way of!
As soon as cooked, switch to a serving plate! You’ll be able to eat it as is – scrumptious, as a result of eggplant is so ridiculously juicy inside and also you seasoned it with salt and pepper. However see beneath for a complete bunch of different methods to serve this!
Suggestion for methods to serve pan-fried eggplant
If I need to perform a little extra however nonetheless hold issues easy, I simply add a graceful of additional virgin olive oil, sea salt flakes and a squeeze of lemon. If I’m cooking to impress, I’d even sprinkle over just a few parsley leaves – going all out! 😂 That is image above. (To take it excessive, add a bathe of parmesan. So good!)
However, if you wish to make your eggplant-eating life much more thrilling, right here’s an inventory of recommendations. Simply wait till you see the number of prospects!
1. Chilli crisp eggplant
The quickest approach to gown up pan-fried eggplant: add smear of your favorite chilli crisp! (My go-to retailer purchased Chilli Crisp is Lao Ganman “Indignant Auntie” which is a worldwide favorite).
2. Caprese Eggplant
Topped with tomato, basil, crumbled goats cheese or feta with a drizzle of balsamic glaze. I particularly like consuming this on toast!
3. HAINANESE Eggplant
Named as such as a result of it’s served with the Hainanese Rooster ginger shallot sauce plus a drizzle of sriracha. And it’s wonderful! Ginger shallot sauce recipe right here.
4. SAUCE VIERGE
Brilliant Mediterranean flavours on this olive-tomato-garlic-herb French dressing type fashionable French salsa-sauce that I really like serving with seared tuna steak. It really works so nicely with eggplant! Sauce Vierge recipe right here.
5. DUKKAH WITH TAHINI YOGURT SAUCE
I actually need to share our dukkah recipe with you! For now, use retailer purchased. 🙂 Use the tahini sauce from this recipe.
6. WITH A MOUNTAIN OF PARMESAN BREADCRUMBS
A slather of garlic yogurt sauce and a mound of garlic parmesan panko is a ridiculously scrumptious mixture of flavours and textures!
7. MORE IDEAS
And with that, I’m performed. Who knew I had a lot to say about pan-fried eggplant??
Now for the very best half – getting concepts from. Share, share, share! – Nagi x
Watch the right way to make it
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Nearly no-oil Pan Fried Eggplant
Prep: 3 minutes
Cook dinner: 10 minutes
Complete: 13 minutes
Important, Facet
Western
Servings2
Faucet or hover to scale
Components
Sauces and toppings for serving:
Directions
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Minimize the eggplant into 2cm / 0.8” rounds.
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Spray all sides generously with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
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Brown – Warmth a big non-stick pan with a lid over medium excessive warmth, no oil. (Notice 3) Add the eggplant slices and pan fry for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes on all sides or till you get some good browning on it. As a lot or as little as you need!
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Pan steam – Rigorously add water across the eggplant (it would bubble and steam, so do that fastidiously). Then instantly cowl with a lid to lure the steam in. Steam for two minutes or till the water has evaporated.
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Verify – Use a butter knife to examine to make sure the eggplant is cooked by way of. If not, add a bit extra water and steam once more!
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Serve – Switch to a serving plate and serve! Nice as is, or to decorate it up a tiny bit, add a graceful of olive oil, squeeze of lemon juice and parsley leaves, or a smear of chilli crisp! See in publish for extra methods to serve.
Recipe Notes:
Thickness of slices – This technique is for thick slices of eggplant round 2 – 2.5cm / 1” thick. In case you are after skinny slices of eggplant ~5mm / 0.2”, there’s no have to do the steaming step. You’ll be able to simply pan-fry it for two minutes on all sides.
2. Oil spray is the very best for even protection. In case you favor to brush oil on, you’ll want round 2 – 2 ½ tbsp of oil for six massive rounds as pictured (eggplant absorbs oil so simply!).
3. Lid for pan – I simply use the lid of a big pot which is definitely bigger than my pan however works wonderful to lure the steam in. You possibly can additionally use a baking tray.
4. Leftovers will hold for 3 to 4 days nevertheless it does are likely to get watery and mushy. Finest served freshly cooked!
Vitamin for the entire recipe ie assuming it serves 1!
Vitamin Data:
Energy: 121cal (6%)Carbohydrates: 24g (8%)Protein: 4g (8%)Fats: 3g (5%)Saturated Fats: 0.4g (3%)Polyunsaturated Fats: 1gMonounsaturated Fats: 1gSodium: 1172mg (51%)Potassium: 923mg (26%)Fiber: 12g (50%)Sugar: 14g (16%)Vitamin A: 95IU (2%)Vitamin C: 9mg (11%)Calcium: 39mg (4%)Iron: 1mg (6%)
Lifetime of Dozer
For brief journeys, I’ll simply pop him within the boot which is his desire. He likes to sprawl. However for longer distances, I all the time belt him up. Security first!
