At the moment’s publish is a recipe for how you can 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 means 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 terrific technique to cook dinner thick slabs of eggplant on the range which is usually a bit tough to do with out burning the floor!
So whereas at the moment’s publish may appear a bit misplaced amongst the standard meal recipes I share, I believe it’s a extremely helpful one that may 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 a bit preview of a few of a pair: Caprese Eggplant (left) and Hainanese Eggplant (proper).
Substances
Should you give me oil, salt and pepper without cost, then it is a ONE ingredient recipe – simply eggplant!!
-
Eggplant varieties – This recipe will work for giant or small eggplants, together with Asian eggplants. It’s essential minimize them into rounds or lengthwise into lengthy slabs so there’s a minimum of one minimize face that sits flat on the pan, so it cooks by way of. 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 by way of! After searing the floor, it solely takes about 2 minutes for the center to turn out to be gentle utilizing the pan-steaming technique.
-
Oil spray – That is one of the best ways 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 desire 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 blended into the oil.
For at the moment’s recipe, I’m searing the eggplants with simply salt and pepper then offering a listing of choices for how you can serve it with sauces and toppings. Simply wait till you see all the chances!
How one can 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 could possibly additionally use a big baking tray or one other frying pan. Something to entice 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”.
Observe on thickness: This technique is to cook dinner thick slices of eggplant. If you’re 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 either side to cook dinner by way of.
-
Spray the floor generously with oil, then sprinkle with salt (you should utilize pepper too, in order for you).
-
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 could take 1 ½ to 2 minutes, relying on how properly the warmth distributes in your pan and the way huge 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 – Fastidiously pour ¼ cup of water across the eggplant. The water will bubble up and get steamy rapidly so pour slowly.
-
Pan-steam – Shortly put the lid on to entice the steam to cook dinner the eggplant. Depart 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 reducing knife as it’s too sharp so you may’t inform if the eggplant is absolutely cooked or not). It must be utterly gentle throughout. If not, simply add a splash of water and preserve steaming. That’s the beauty of this method, you may preserve doing this a number of instances till the eggplant is cooked by way of!
As soon as cooked, switch to a serving plate! You may 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 tactics to serve pan-fried eggplant
If I need to perform a little extra however nonetheless preserve 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 would even sprinkle over a number 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 a listing 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 Hen ginger shallot sauce plus a drizzle of sriracha. And it’s superb! Ginger shallot sauce recipe right here.
4. SAUCE VIERGE
Vivid 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 right here.
5. DUKKAH WITH TAHINI YOGURT SAUCE
I really want 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 executed. Who knew I had a lot to say about pan-fried eggplant??
Now for the perfect half – getting concepts from. Share, share, share! – Nagi x
Watch how you can make it
Hungry for extra? Subscribe to my e-newsletter and comply with alongside on Fb, Pinterest and Instagram for all the newest updates.
Nearly no-oil Pan Fried Eggplant
Prep: 3 minutes
Cook dinner: 10 minutes
Complete: 13 minutes
Foremost, Aspect
Western
Servings2
Faucet or hover to scale
Substances
Sauces and toppings for serving:
Directions
-
Minimize the eggplant into 2cm / 0.8” rounds.
-
Spray either side 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. (Observe 3) Add the eggplant slices and pan fry for 1 1/2 to 2 minutes on either side or till you get some good browning on it. As a lot or as little as you need!
-
Pan steam – Fastidiously add water across the eggplant (it’s going to bubble and steam, so do that fastidiously). Then instantly cowl with a lid to entice the steam in. Steam for two minutes or till the water has evaporated.
-
Test – Use a butter knife to examine to make sure the eggplant is cooked by way of. 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 publish for extra methods to serve.
Recipe Notes:
Thickness of slices – This technique is for thick slices of eggplant round 2 – 2.5cm / 1” thick. If you’re after skinny slices of eggplant ~5mm / 0.2”, there’s no have to do the steaming step. You may simply pan-fry it for two minutes on either side.
2. Oil spray is the perfect for even protection. Should you desire to brush oil on, you’ll want round 2 – 2 ½ tbsp of oil for six massive 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 fantastic to entice the steam in. You could possibly additionally use a baking tray.
4. Leftovers will preserve for 3 to 4 days however it does are likely to get watery and mushy. Greatest served freshly cooked!
Diet for the entire recipe ie assuming it serves 1!
Diet Info:
Energy: 121cal (6%)Carbohydrates: 24g (8%)Protein: 4g (8%)Fats: 3g (5%)Saturated Fats: 0.4g (3%)Polyunsaturated Fats: 1gMonounsaturated Fats: 1gSodium: 1172mg (51%)Potassium: 923mg (26%)Fiber: 12g (50%)Sugar: 14g (16%)Vitamin A: 95IU (2%)Vitamin C: 9mg (11%)Calcium: 39mg (4%)Iron: 1mg (6%)
Lifetime of Dozer
For brief journeys, I’ll simply pop him within the boot which is his desire. He likes to sprawl. However for longer distances, I at all times belt him up. Security first!
