Right now’s put up is a recipe for easy methods to cook dinner eggplant on the range with nearly no oil. I exploit 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 manner 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 a fantastic 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 at the moment’s put up might sound slightly 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 an entire bunch of the way 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 slightly preview of a few of a pair: Caprese Eggplant (left) and Hainanese Eggplant (proper).
Components
Should you give me oil, salt and pepper at no cost, then this can be a ONE ingredient recipe – simply eggplant!!
Eggplant sorts – This recipe will work for big or small eggplants, together with Asian eggplants. It is advisable 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 change into delicate utilizing the pan-steaming technique.
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 should you don’t have or choose 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.
Including different flavours – This recipe is a clean canvas you may soak up 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 at the moment’s recipe, I’m searing the eggplants with simply salt and pepper then offering an inventory of choices for easy methods to serve it with sauces and toppings. Simply wait till you see all the chances!
The best way 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 exploit the lid of a giant pot which is bigger than my pan. You would additionally use a big baking tray or one other frying pan. Something to lure the steam in!
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”.
Be aware 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’s going to solely take a few minutes on all sides to cook dinner via.
Spray the floor generously with oil, then sprinkle with salt (you need to use pepper too, if you need).
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 will take 1 ½ to 2 minutes, relying on how properly the warmth distributes in your pan and the way massive your burner is. Management the warmth as wanted for good even browning.
At this stage, the eggplant will nonetheless be utterly uncooked inside.
Add water – Rigorously pour ¼ cup of water across the eggplant. The water will bubble up and get steamy rapidly so pour slowly.
Pan-steam – Rapidly 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.
Test to see if the eggplant is cooked by stabbing it with a butter knife (not a pointy chopping knife as it’s too sharp so you may’t inform if the eggplant is totally cooked or not). It needs to be utterly delicate right through. If not, simply add a splash of water and maintain steaming. That’s the beauty of this method, you may maintain doing this a number of instances till the eggplant is cooked via!
As soon as cooked, switch to a serving plate! You possibly can 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 under for an entire 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 maintain issues easy, I simply add a sleek 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 couple 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 an inventory of options. Simply wait till you see the number of prospects!
1. Chilli crisp eggplant
The quickest technique to costume up pan-fried eggplant: add a superb 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 here.
4. SAUCE VIERGE
Shiny Mediterranean flavours on this olive-tomato-garlic-herb French dressing fashion fashionable French salsa-sauce that I like serving with seared tuna steak. It really works so properly with eggplant! Sauce Vierge recipe 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 most effective half – getting concepts from. Share, share, share! – Nagi x
Recipe video above. It is a recipe for easy methods to cook dinner eggplant on the range with nearly no oil – lower than 1/2 teaspoon for an entire eggplant! I exploit a extremely efficient, easy pan-steaming technique used for Asian dumplings like gyoza! Eat it as is, or see in put up for an inventory of toppings and sauces to serve with this pan fried eggplant. Which one is your favorite??
Components
Sauces and toppings for serving:
Directions
Minimize the eggplant into 2cm / 0.8” rounds.
Spray all sides generously with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
Brown – Warmth a big non-stick pan with a lid over medium excessive warmth, no oil. (Be aware 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!
Pan steam – Rigorously add water across the eggplant (it’s going to 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.
Test – 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!
Serve – Switch to a serving plate and serve! Nice as is, or to decorate it up a tiny bit, add a sleek of olive oil, squeeze of lemon juice and parsley leaves, or a smear of chilli crisp! See in put up for extra methods to serve.
Recipe Notes:
1. Eggplant (aubergine) – For Asian eggplant (ie the lengthy skinny cucumber formed ones), cut up in half lengthwise. Sear the minimize face and the pores and skin facet. Add water and cook dinner utilizing this technique. 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 possibly can simply pan-fry it for two minutes on all sides. 2. Oil spray is the most effective for even protection. Should you choose to brush oil on, you’ll want round 2 – 2 ½ tbsp of oil for six giant rounds as pictured (eggplant absorbs oil so simply!). 3. Lid for pan – I simply use the lid of a giant pot which is definitely bigger than my pan however works superb to lure the steam in. You would additionally use a baking tray. 4. Leftovers will maintain for 3 to 4 days but it surely does are inclined to get watery and mushy. Finest served freshly cooked! Diet for the entire recipe ie assuming it serves 1!
Key phrases: easy methods to cook dinner eggplant, easy methods to cook dinner eggplant on the range, pan fried eggplant
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