Right this moment’s publish is a recipe for the way to cook dinner eggplant on the range with just about 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 just about 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!
Principally, I cook dinner them the identical manner I do Asian dumplings – seared then pan-steamed. So that you simply must 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 amazing technique to cook dinner thick slabs of eggplant on the range which generally is a bit tough to do with out burning the floor!
So whereas at the moment’s publish might sound a little bit misplaced amongst the standard meal recipes I share, I believe it’s a extremely helpful one that can serve you properly 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 this can be a ONE ingredient recipe – simply eggplant!!
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Eggplant varieties – This recipe will work for big or small eggplants, together with Asian eggplants. You might want to minimize them into rounds or lengthwise into lengthy slabs so there’s at the very least one minimize face that sits flat on the pan, so it cooks via. For Asian eggplants, I simply cut 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 via! After searing the floor, it solely takes about 2 minutes for the center to turn into smooth 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 want 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 soak up many instructions! Sprinkle the eggplant with a seasoning (paprika, onion and garlic is a foolproof mixture) or brush with harissa paste blended into the oil.
For at the moment’s recipe, I’m searing the eggplants with simply salt and pepper then offering a listing of choices for the way to serve it with sauces and toppings. Simply wait till you see all the chances!
Methods to 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 entice 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”.
Word 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 must pan steam. Simply spray with oil and pan sear, it’ll solely take a few minutes on either side to cook dinner via.
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Spray the floor generously with oil, then sprinkle with salt (you should use 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 either side. This could take 1 ½ to 2 minutes, relying on how properly 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 entice 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 slicing 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 smooth all over. If not, simply add a splash of water and hold steaming. That’s the wonderful thing about this system, you’ll be able to hold doing this a number of instances till the eggplant is cooked via!
As soon as cooked, switch to a serving plate! You may 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 wish to do some 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 a number of 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 a listing of solutions. Simply wait till you see the number of potentialities!
1. Chilli crisp eggplant
The quickest approach to gown up pan-fried eggplant: add an excellent 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 Hen ginger shallot sauce plus a drizzle of sriracha. And it’s wonderful! Ginger shallot sauce recipe right here.
4. SAUCE VIERGE
Shiny Mediterranean flavours on this olive-tomato-garlic-herb French dressing model fashionable French salsa-sauce that I really like serving with seared tuna steak. It really works so properly 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 completed. Who knew I had a lot to say about pan-fried eggplant??
Now for the most effective half – getting concepts from. Share, share, share! – Nagi x
Watch the way to make it
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Nearly no-oil Pan Fried Eggplant
Prep: 3 minutes
Cook dinner: 10 minutes
Complete: 13 minutes
Principal, Aspect
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 either side 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. (Word 3) Add the eggplant slices and pan fry for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes on either side 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’ll bubble and steam, so do that fastidiously). Then instantly cowl with a lid to entice the steam in. Steam for two minutes or till the water has evaporated.
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Verify – Use a butter knife to test to make sure the eggplant is cooked via. 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 must do the steaming step. You may simply pan-fry it for two minutes on either side.
2. Oil spray is the most effective for even protection. In case you want 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 high quality to entice the steam in. You possibly can additionally use a baking tray.
4. Leftovers will hold for 3 to 4 days but it surely does are inclined to get watery and mushy. Greatest served freshly cooked!
Vitamin for the entire recipe ie assuming it serves 1!
Vitamin Info:
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 choice. He likes to sprawl. However for longer distances, I all the time belt him up. Security first!
