how to cook eggplant

[Mizuno]

I need a clean recipe for eggplant that pretty much only has eggplant. I dont even know how to cook it at all...I know I may be stupid but I have never bought one.
Pandora??? Help!!! :)

[CraveMuscle]

you can slice it and grill it.

but I like to bake it at about 350 until soft, depending on how thick you slice it, it can be anywhere from 5-20 minutes. just check it.

cut it lengthwise and then into slices. put on a cookie sheet. it's easy to coat the sheet in foil for easy clean up. spray foil with pam. then place eggplant slices on and season however you like. garlic, steak sauce, lemon juice, pepper, mustard, etc.

[Eegor]

mmmm eggplant, it's gotta be my favourite vegetable! my favourite clean way of eating it is grilled or stir fried with other veggies and chicken or something. This week i wanna make an eggplant lasagna with eggplant and cottage cheese..see if that turns out.

but if you've eaten zuchinni before, they are similar in the way they can be cooked you can even grill them both and make a salad.. yummy

[denvergirl]

dumb question...but can you steam it? i mean does it taste any good that way? thanks!

[CraveMuscle]

sure, you can steam it. but it's really bland, so unless you plan on seasoning it liberally after, I wouldn't choose to cook it that way unless I was pressed for time.

[Brandy]

On the grill- kickass.
olive oil, salt and pepper-melts in your mouth.

[ladybug]

Yes, eggplant is SUPER on the grill...just a little evoo, salt and pepper.

I also love this:

diced eggplant, mushrooms, and zuchinni cooked over med heat until desired tenderness (eggplant will take the longest) then mixed into some pasta sauce. add chicken for protein.

[Mizuno]

Thank you so much! I am going to try it tonight http://webpages.charter.net/connectingzone/food/1.gif

[Chirpy]

Tomatoes and eggplant were made to go together. Grill those eggplant slices on the BBQ, and then for the last 5 mintures of cooking, put a slice of raw ripe tomato on the top of each eggplant round. Heat tomato through, add a bit of pepper and salt.

*******************************
Another good one is baba ganouj :huh: Middle Eastern.
2-3 medium eggplants
2 tbsp lemon juice
1/3 cup tahini (sesame seed paste)
3-4 cloves garlic, crushed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/3 cup parsley, chopped
1/8 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 cup scallions (green onions), minced
2 tablespoons olive oil (or less)

Grill whole eggplants on the BBQ at about 450 until skins are blackened and flesh is soft. Take off skin, and put soft insides into a blender. Puree. Add all the rest of the ingredients except oil and scallions. Transfer to serving bowl and cool. Top with olive oil and scallions.

Eat with ww pita wedges, greek olives, and fresh tomatoes.
Also works well as a spread on sandwiches (similar to hummus)

Nutrition Facts (in case you're interested)
Calculated for 1 batch (1341g) - Recipe makes 1 batch
Calories 1006
Calories from Fat 609 (60%)
Total Fat 67.7g
Saturated Fat 9.5g
Polyunsat. Fat 20.6g
Monounsat. Fat 34.4g
Trans Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 0mg
Sodium 1261mg
Potassium 3172mg
Total Carbohydrate 96.7g
Dietary Fiber 46.6g
Sugars 28.6g
Protein 27.3g


Now I'm hungry.

Chirpy

[Mizuno]

yummmm me to!!!

[Mizuno]

Ok so I made it in the oven and it was soooo boring-I think I need to try to grill or some better seasoning!

[GraceGirl]

I make eggplant veggie burgers! I just sautee or grill some slices of eggplant, and serve as a burger with all the fixings! It's great!!

[Mizuno]

Very interesting....may have to try that

[homeschoolmom]

Great thread!! I've always wanted to try eggplant, but never knew how to cook it. I love the eggplant lasagna and the grilling ideas. I'll be getting me some eggplant when I go shopping tomorrow! :)

[denvergirl]

could you cook on george forman grill?

[Brandy]

yes- slice it thin longways- olive oil, salt and pepper, maybe marinade w/ garlic first.