Braised Eggplant Recipes

BRAISED EGGPLANT, PORK AND MUSHROOMS

Steps:

• Trim off the stem ends from the eggplant. If using Asian eggplant, slice into 2-inch lengths, and then cut lengthwise into 1/2-inch-thick wedges. If using globe eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch cubes. In a small bowl, mix the wine, soy sauce, sugar, vinegar, pepper and 2/3 cup of water.
• Place a wok or a large frying pan over high heat. When the pan is hot, after about 1 minute, add 1 tablespoon of the oil and rotate the pan to spread. Add the pork, and stir-fry until it has broken into small chunks and is lightly browned, 3 to 5 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium-high. Add the remaining 1 tablespoon of oil, garlic, chilies and eggplant; stir-fry until the eggplant begins to brown, 2 to 3 minutes. 3. Add the water mixture. Bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to a simmer and cover, stirring occasionally, until the eggplant is soft when pressed, 7 to 9 minutes. Stir in the mushrooms, and remove from the heat. Transfer to a serving bowl and sprinkle with cilantro. Note: Slender Chinese or Japanese eggplants hold their shape better and are less seedy than larger, more common globe eggplants.

EASY GREEK-STYLE EGGPLANT RECIPE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400 degrees F.
• Place eggplant cubes in a colander over a large bowl or directly over your sink, and sprinkle with salt. Set aside for 20 minutes or so to allow eggplant to "sweat out" any bitterness. Rinse with water and pat dry.
• In a large braiser, heat 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil over medium-high until shimmering but not smoking. Add onions, peppers, and chopped carrot. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring regularly, then add garlic, bay leaf, spices, and a dash of salt. Cook another minute, stirring until fragrant.
• Now add eggplant, chopped tomato, chickpeas, and reserved chickpea liquid. Stir to combine.
• Bring to a rolling boil for 10 minutes or so. Stir often. Remove from stove top, cover and transfer to oven.
• Cook in oven for 45 minutes until eggplant is fully cooked through to very tender. (While eggplant is braising, be sure to check once or twice to see if more liquid is needed. If so, remove from oven briefly and stir in about 1/2 cup of water at a time.)
• When eggplant is ready, remove from oven and add a generous drizzle of Private Reserve EVOO, garnish with fresh herbs (parsley or mint). Serve hot or at room temperature with a side of Greek yogurt or even Tzatziki sauce and pita bread.

BRAISED EGGPLANT IN FRESH TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Slice eggplants in half lengthwise. Place them on a large colander and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of salt and let them sit on the colander while you prepare the tomato sauce
• Heat 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil in a large deep skillet. Add garlic and basil and cook for 2 minutes
• Add diced tomatoes, ginger, 1/2 teaspoon salt and Aleppo pepper or red pepper flakes and cook over high heat for 15 minutes
• In the meantime, in a separate large skillet, heat 3 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil. Add sliced eggplant and cook over high heat for 5 minutes, stirring constantly
• Once the tomato sauce is ready, add cooked eggplant, lower the heat and simmer for 20 minutes or until the eggplant is tender
• Serve warm over with rice, couscous or quinoa

BRAISED EGGPLANT WITH ONION AND TOMATO

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F.
• Halve eggplants lengthwise and score flesh 1/2 inch deep in a crosshatch pattern to make 1-inch squares (do not cut through skin). Arrange eggplant halves, cut sides up, in a large roasting pan and season with salt.
• Cook onions in 3 tablespoons oil in a large nonstick skillet over moderate heat, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 10 minutes. Remove skillet from heat and stir in tomatoes, parsley, basil, lemon juice, 2 teaspoons sugar, and salt.
• Divide topping among eggplant halves, mounding in centers. Stir together water, remaining 1/4 cup oil, and remaining tablespoon sugar until sugar is dissolved, then add to roasting pan. Cover pan tightly with foil and bake in middle of oven, basting eggplants every 15 minutes with cooking liquid, 45 minutes. Uncover and bake until eggplants are tender (they will collapse and flatten slightly) and cooking liquid is reduced and beginning to caramelize, about 40 minutes more. Serve hot or at room temperature, drizzled with pan juices.

BRAISED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Chop green onion and put garlic through press; saute in hot oil for 2 minutes.
• Peel and cut eggplant in 3-inch strips. Add to skillet in single layer and cook over high heat until lightly browned on both sides.
• Add broth; cover and simmer about 10 minutes, until eggplant is tender.
• Stir in soy sauce and serve.