Grilled Baby Eggplant Recipes

GRILLED BABY EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Slice off the green tops and cut the eggplants in half. Score in a criss-cross pattern using a knife. Salt and leave the eggplants for one hour. Pat dry.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees.
• Sprinkle the eggplant with garlic and breadcrumbs. Place the eggplants in an oiled baking tin. Trickle on the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
• Bake the eggplants for 20 to 30 minutes or until they are soft and golden. Sprinkle with basil and serve at room temperature.

OVEN-ROASTED EGGPLANT RECIPE

Steps:

• Wipe the eggplant clean and slice them in half lengthwise. With the tip of a knife, score the flesh deeply in a diamond cross-hatch pattern by making two or three long cuts, cutting at a steep angle, and then rotating the eggplant to make another set of similar cuts. Press on the edges of the halves to open the cuts and sprinkle salt (1 to 1-1/2 tsp. total for all the halves) over the surface and into the cuts. Set aside, cut side up, for 30 min. Heat the oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment.
• Over the sink, gently squeeze the eggplant to extract the salty juice and wipe them dry with a paper towel. Brush each half thoroughly with olive oil (about 1 tsp. per half for Italian eggplant, 2 tsp. per half for globe). Arrange each half, cut side down, on top of a sprig or two of thyme on the baking sheet. Roast for 1 hour. The eggplant will collapse and the bottoms will be a deep brown caramel color. Let cool considerably before handling, at least 20 min. Gently turn the cut side up. If serving as a side dish, serve with a lemon wedge for squeezing or drizzle with vinaigrette. If using in other recipes, scoop the flesh from the skin with a spoon.

PERFECT GRILLED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Meanwhile, heat a charcoal or gas grill to medium-high heat. You should be able to hold your hand about an inch above the cooking grate for 3 to 4 seconds before pulling it away from the heat.

GRILLED MARINATED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Finely chop the parsley with the capers and garlic. Add the oregano and peperoncini and chop everything together. Put the mixture in a bowl, stir in the oil, season with salt and pepper, and reserve.
• Preheat an outdoor charcoal or gas grill or a grill pan until smoking hot.
• Put enough eggplant slices on the grill to cover it without crowding. Cook the eggplant until well marked, 3 to 6 minutes, then turn the slices over. Cook until tender, about 3 minutes more. Remove the eggplant from the grill.
• Pour the vinegar into a shallow bowl. While still hot, dip each eggplant slice into the vinegar and set it aside on a plate. Continue grilling and dipping the eggplant until all the slices are cooked and seasoned.
• Spoon 2 tablespoons of the parsley mixture onto a platter and spread it evenly with the back of a spoon. Arrange half of the grilled eggplant on the parsley in a single layer. Smear each slice of eggplant with more parsley. Place a second layer of eggplant on top and spread the remaining parsley on it. Cover the dish with plastic wrap and set aside to marinate at room temperature for about 2 hours (or refrigerate for longer). Serve at room temperature.
• Chef's notes:
• You could make the parsley mixture in a food processor, but I don't. I find hand chopping gives me the somewhat drier texture I prefer.
• For this recipe, I don't salt or oil the eggplant; I grill it dry. This way, it has a nice chewy texture. I marinate the eggplant as soon as it comes off the grill so the flavor of the marinade penetrates.

HEALTHY PAN FRIED BABY EGGPLANT WITH GARLIC AND HERBS

Steps:

• Combine olive oil, garlic, parsley, lemon zest and chili flakes in a small pot. Heat over low heat to infuse the oil with flavor. This will only take 5 minutes or so, it is crucial that you do not allow the mixture to boil or you run the risk of burning the garlic.
• Heat up a large pan or a griddle* over medium-high heat and spray with the pan spray.
• Lay out the eggplant slices so they do not overlap and can cook evenly. Season with salt and pepper.
• After 3-4 minutes, flip over to the other side and season the other side with salt and pepper. Cook for 3 minutes.
• With a pastry brush or a spoon, brush on the gremolata.
• Serve immediately.

GRILLED JAPANESE EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Place eggplant in a large shallow baking dish. Mix together the soy sauce, sherry, sesame oil, and garlic in a small bowl. Pour the marinade over the eggplant and let marinate at room temperature for 1 hour. Preheat grill. Season the eggplant with salt and pepper to taste and grill on each side for 3 minutes, basting occasionally with the remaining marinade. Serve topped with the toasted sesame seeds.

GRILLED BABY EGGPLANT WITH BALSAMIC GLAZE

Steps:

• For the grilled baby eggplant: Preheat a grill or grill pan to medium high.
• Cut off the stems from the baby eggplant and slice them in half lengthwise. Make a 1/2-inch-deep crosshatch pattern on the flesh side of each using a knife. Put them in a medium bowl.
• In a small bowl, mix together the oil, rosemary and garlic. Pour the mixture over the eggplant, tossing to coat completely, and sprinkle generously with salt and pepper. Grill, flipping halfway through, until tender and dark, about 10 minutes.
• For the glaze: Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine the oil, stock, balsamic vinegar, honey, mustard, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Cook over low heat until the glaze is reduced by half, about 10 minutes. Drizzle over the eggplant to serve.