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5 Simple Ways to Cook with Eggplant

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Eggplant is high in fiber but low in calories so it's great to cook with. The skin of an eggplant is full of antioxidants, potassium and magnesium. They're also packed with nasunin chemicals that improve blood flow to the brain and anthocyanins that help build a healthy heart. Heart health is also improved thanks to vitamin C and vitamin B6. As well as being good for you, Eggplants are really easy to cook with. You can steam, roast, boil, bake or fry them, and there are lots of dishes they can be added to including pasta recipes, curries, and stir-fries.

Bake and Mash

If you've made eggplant parmesan before, you'll recognize this short recipe idea as eggplant parmesan begins with the same process of slicing the eggplant into strips and then add a breaded coating before baking them in the oven. If you want a bit of a kick to this side dish, bake them in a spicy coating. Now take another eggplant and scoop out the mushy middle part. Mash that together or puree it if you'd prefer. Either way, you'll make a thick, creamy dip with a smoky flavor that's great for chips.

Roast

The simplest and also the most delicious way of cooking eggplant is to roast it. To begin, warm up the oven to about 400 degrees. While it's reaching temperature, slice the eggplant into strips and lay them on a baking tray. Now drizzle olive oil onto the eggplant strips and season with salt and pepper. When baked, the eggplant will be soft, rich and smoky. Eat the eggplant with roasted meat, as part of a salad or add with pasta for a light and quick meal.

Stuff It

The thick skin on an eggplant makes stuffing it with your favorite flavors easy. Why not add the type of ingredients usually found on top of a pizza like ground beef, pepperoni, olives, cheese, and sausages, along with rice and vegetables? Add spice with ingredients like tahini, add color with paprika, and include some cinnamon for a little extra kick. Chop some cherry tomatoes, fresh mint and parsley to include salad and herbs into the mix.

Fry It

Eggplant is a great vegetable for stir-fry as the soft texture makes a nice alternative to the firmer vegetables in the pan. Eggplant can also be deep fried in batter. They don't need to be skinned as they're edible. They crisp up nicely but remain fluffy on the inside like well-cooked fries. Fry at 375 degrees for around one minute each side. They'll turn golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels before sprinkling salt on to them and serving with marina sauce.

Eggplant Sandwich

Skin, batter and then lightly fry the eggplant in olive oil to create a great accompaniment to any meat in a sandwich. Eat it with roast beef, fresh mozzarella and gravy in a 12-inch sub and you'll never want anything else for lunch or serve with fries and season with salt for a great meal at any time of day. Why not grill the sandwich over a medium heat for one to two minutes each side for a toasted eggplant sandwich?