I make them within the air-fryer however you may in all probability make them within the broiler or oven.
I washed a medium eggplant effectively, lower off the stem/high, however didn’t peel it. I proceeded to slice the eggplant into slices lengthwise.
As an alternative of brushing the eggplant with oil (which you may do), I brushed it with aquafaba (the liquid from cooking chickpeas). I then seasoned the slices, lined the baking rack of the air-fryer with parchment paper and positioned the slices on the rack. (I do not see why. you may not do that in a 425 oven or maybe broiler.
Whereas the eggplant slices had been cooking, I ready the sunshine and lemony tahini sauce to drizzle over the slices.
I eat these air-fried eggplant slices drizzled with sauce both rolled or flat. Nevertheless, I like them rolled as a result of they’re simpler to serve and take up much less room on the plate. They’re simple to eat with a knife and fork.
Subsequent time you could have an eggplant and are on the lookout for a vegetable aspect dish, why not give these or one of many variations a attempt.
Variation 1: Eggplant Steaks. In the event you favor to make an eggplant steak as an alternative of slices, you may merely lower your eggplant in half, brush with aquafabe ( or oil) season with garlic powder, chili powder, cumin, salt, paprika or any seasoning of your alternative and air-fry or bake. Scrumptious too.
Variation 2: Stuffed eggplant. When you make the air-fryer or baked eggplant slices, you may stuff them with filling of your alternative. I’ve made a mashed tofu stuffing prior to now.
Eggplant Substances:
1 medium eggplant per 4 slices ( I used 2 medium eggplants)
1 cup of aquafaba (the liquid from cooking chickpeas or the liquid within the can of chickpeas)
seasoning of alternative:
paprika, garlic powder, cumin, salt, pepper, chili powder, and so forth
Tahini Sauce Substances
1/2 cup of tahini
Juice of 1 lemon or 1/4 cup of lemon juice
1/4- 1/2 cup of water ( want to begin with 1/4 cup and add extra if too thick)
Salt
Non-obligatory: cumin
Instructions:
Preheat air-fryer to 390 levels
Wash the eggplants effectively (eradicating any stickers)
Lower off the highest, don’t peel, and slice 4 even slices.
Brush either side of the eggplant generously with aquafaba.
Season to style
I cowl the tray within the air-fryer ( I’ve a Ninja which seems to be like a toaster oven) with parchment paper and cook dinner for 12 minutes on one aspect and one other 3 minutes on the opposite aspect.
Take away the slices to a plate and drizzle with tahini sauce. Eat as is
or roll every one. Serve heat or room temperature. Refrigerate and might be eaten chilly the subsequent day!
My notes:
1. Aquafaba vs olive oil
Since so many medical doctors within the plant-based motion are suggesting oil-free cooking and consuming. (They counsel consuming olives, nuts, flax seeds, chia seeds, and avocado to get your fats as an alternative of the excessive focus of energy in a teaspoon of oil that incorporates no fiber)
Nevertheless, when you do like to make use of olive oil- brush the eggplant with the oil!!!
2. My mother-in-law used to make a fried eggplant casserole- type of like a lasagna utilizing the fried eggplant to layer. It was scrumptious however dripping in oil (and energy). I’m shocked that my technique of air-frying (oil-free) tastes only a good.