The 8 most popular eggplant recipes of all time
Eggplants are one of the most versatile ingredients you can use in your kitchen.
Their mild flavor makes them easy to pair with other, more flavorful foods, and their texture can be changed from soft and creamy to firm and meaty with little to no change in taste or appearance.
If you want to try cooking with eggplant, but aren’t sure what you should make, look no further than this list of the eight most popular eggplant recipes of all time!
Eggplant parmesan
This is an Italian-American dish that consists of fried slices of eggplant layered with cheese and tomato sauce. It was created by Italian immigrants who brought tomatoes to America from Italy.
Many people mistakenly believe that it's named after parmesan cheese, but it's actually named after a city in Italy, Parme (also known as Parma). Because Italians used to call eggplants Parmigiana, which means from Parma.
The simple dish is now considered an Italian classic. Eggplant parmesan is a staple in Italian restaurants, but you can easily make it at home! Here are some tips for making your own:
* Use breadcrumbs or crushed crackers instead of regular bread crumbs. They absorb less oil than plain bread crumbs and don't get soggy when cooked.
* Lightly brush both sides of each slice with olive oil before frying them.
* Fry each slice on both sides until they're golden brown, then remove them from heat immediately so they don't get soggy or overcooked.
* Layer them in a baking pan with tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese for about 15 minutes before serving them up hot!
Enjoy your delicious meal! For more tasty ideas, check out these eight different ways to enjoy eggplant!
- 1) Frittata
- 2) Risotto
- 3) Grilled
- 4) Roasted
- 5) Baked
- 6) Stir Fried
- 7) Stuffed
- 8) Fried If you want more information about how to prepare eggplant, visit our recipe page here .
We have over 100 other dishes for you to try out too! Bon appetit ! :) _________________________________________
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Stuffed eggplants
A perfect blend of sweet and savory, stuffed eggplants are a dish that appeals to almost everyone. It’s a simple recipe that takes a little bit of preparation and effort, but nothing too difficult or complicated—this is one recipe you’ll be happy you took on.
Keep an eye out for our eight favorite stuffed eggplant recipes below! What makes eggplants so unique? The beautiful purple color they take on when cooked make them stand out in any meal, while their delicate flavor can pair well with both mild and spicy ingredients.
They also come in various sizes, meaning you can choose which size best fits your meal: from a snackable baby-sized variety to large Italian ones (the ones we usually see). While many people might not consider eggplants a vegetable, it actually belongs to its own family of vegetables called Solanaceae. Eggplants have been cultivated since at least 600 B.C., though they were probably first grown as early as 2000 B.C., in India and Southeast Asia.
Today, they are often found in Mediterranean dishes such as ratatouille and caponata, Middle Eastern dishes like babaganoush and Turkish moussaka, Asian dishes like stir fries and curries, and even American barbeque. In addition to being used as a main ingredient in meals, eggplants can also be eaten raw.
If you’re looking for something new to try at home tonight, try stuffing some eggplants with these mouthwatering fillings!
#1: Turkey & Veggie Stuffed Eggplant Recipe This healthy dinner idea by Our Life Tastes Good uses lean ground turkey breast mixed with colorful bell peppers, onions, and spinach.
Topped off with a homemade tomato sauce made from tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, basil leaves, oregano leaves, salt and pepper—it’s sure to become a family favorite. Get ready to enjoy a delicious serving of stuffed eggplant with only 537 calories per serving!
Get our Turkey & Veggie Stuffed Eggplant Recipe here. #2: Zucchini and Cheese-Stuffed Eggplant With only four ingredients, this zucchini and cheese-stuffed eggplant recipe by Kalyn's Kitchen is easy enough for anyone to make at home.
Simply stuff each halved small zucchini with grated mozzarella cheese, bake until golden brown, then serve alongside marinara sauce if desired. Get our Zucchini and Cheese-Stuffed Eggplant Recipe here.
A post shared by Kalyn’s Kitchen (@kalynskitchen) on May 4, 2017 at 6:35am PDT #3: Eggplant Rollatini with Ricotta and Basil Cream Sauce This eggplant rollatini recipe by Taste of Home calls for a filling of ricotta cheese, parmesan cheese, eggs, and chopped fresh basil.
The eggplants are topped with a creamy basil cream sauce made from heavy cream, butter, minced garlic, grated parmesan cheese and fresh chopped parsley. Serve this dish with a side of spaghetti squash to complete the meal!
Get our Eggplant Rollatini with Ricotta and Basil Cream Sauce Recipe here. #4: Spicy Buffalo-Style Stuffed Eggplant This buffalo-style stuffed eggplant recipe by Real Food By Dad is a great way to get in some extra veggies.
The eggplants are filled with a mixture of cauliflower, carrots, celery, onion, garlic and seasonings before being baked in the oven and smothered in hot sauce and melted cheese.
Get our Spicy Buffalo-Style Stuffed Eggplant Recipe here. #5: Eggplant Parmesan Bites These eggplant parmesan bites by Gimme Some Oven are the perfect appetizer for parties!
Baked stuffed potatoes
Potatoes are a well-known source of complex carbohydrates, which keep you full and satisfied. They're also rich in other nutrients like vitamins, minerals and antioxidants.
The best way to cook them is by baking them at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about one hour or until they're tender inside and crispy on top.
To make them even better, add a delicious cheese filling while they're still hot and bake an additional five minutes until cheese is melted. Serve with a salad for a healthy yet delicious meal that will satisfy your hunger cravings without compromising your weight loss goals. 1 large russet potato (about 2 cups), peeled and diced into 1/2 inch cubes
8 ounces sharp cheddar cheese, shredded (about 2 cups) 4 tablespoons butter, melted and divided 1/2 teaspoon salt 1/4 teaspoon black pepper 1/2 cup sour cream Instructions: Preheat oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
Grease a baking sheet with nonstick cooking spray. Set aside. In a large bowl, combine diced potatoes with 4 tablespoons melted butter and seasonings. Stir until well-coated. Transfer potatoes to prepared baking sheet and spread out evenly in one layer. Bake for 45 minutes or until tender inside and crispy on top.
Meanwhile, combine cheese with remaining tablespoon of melted butter in a small bowl and stir until well-combined. Remove baked potatoes from oven and spoon about 2 tablespoons cheese mixture into each potato before returning them to oven for an additional five minutes or until cheese is melted inside.
Serve immediately with sour cream and enjoy! Yields: 6 servings Calories per serving: 361 Fat per serving: 20g Saturated fat per serving: 11g Trans fat per serving: 0g Carbs per serving: 32g Fiber per serving: 3g Sugar per serving: 5g Protein per serving: 14g Sodium per serving : 709mg Cholesterol per serving : 54mg Recipe adapted from Damn Delicious
Stir-fried with basil and garlic
Eggplants lend themselves to a wide variety of different cuisines, making them a versatile addition to any meal.
This recipe highlights one of its best properties: its meaty texture, which makes it perfect for satisfying stir-fries and other Asian-inspired dishes. You can also add in extra vegetables if you’d like or just keep it simple with some rice or noodles on the side.
It's an easy way to add more nutrients into your diet without having to sacrifice taste at all. Plus, since it's low in calories but high in fiber, it's good for your digestive system too! All you need is a few basic ingredients and about 15 minutes of cooking time. Give it a try tonight!
Oven-roasted with potatoes: As delicious as they are when stir-fried, eggplants don't have to be eaten raw. Roasting them gives their flavor an even deeper richness that pairs perfectly with creamy potatoes and crunchy carrots.
The entire dish takes about half an hour from start to finish—and only requires six ingredients! So give yourself ample time for prepping so that everything goes smoothly once you get started. You'll love how easy it is to make a healthy meal at home in no time at all.
You can also add some lean protein if you want to bulk up your meal or keep it vegetarian by adding more veggies instead. It's a great way to add more nutrients into your diet without having to sacrifice taste at all.
Plus, since it's low in calories but high in fiber, it's good for your digestive system too! All you need is a few basic ingredients and about 15 minutes of cooking time. Give it a try tonight!
Grilled alongside fish
Grilling eggplants alongside fish works very well. Try brushing a thin layer of extra-virgin olive oil on both before grilling. It’s important to cut your eggplants into smaller pieces so they can cook evenly.
The results are incredible. Sweet and creamy, grilled eggplant compliments many types of fish; but you have to try it with salmon or swordfish! And don’t forget about chicken!
Grilled chicken is excellent with grilling any type of vegetables, including those colorful peppers, red onions and green zucchini—and remember that grilled eggplant recipe?
Grill them at about medium heat for 15 minutes or until tender and serve alongside grilled chicken or your favorite dish. Your family will love it!
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We recently learned from leading researchers in the field of science that eating eggplants reduces our risk of getting cancer.
As if we needed another reason to eat more of these delicious veggies! Eggplants come in many different shapes and sizes, making them an extremely versatile ingredient when it comes to cooking.
Whether you’re grilling, baking or frying your eggplants, you can’t go wrong with any recipe—or any type of preparation. You can even make a tasty juice out of your favorite varieties. Check out some of our favorites below:
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#eggplantrecipes for kids: Grilled Eggplant Parmesan is one healthy way to get your children to enjoy their vegetables!
Eggplant bake with tuna and onions
If you want to make a complete meal out of an eggplant, it’s probably best to stick with a sauce that doesn’t mask its flavor. That’s what makes tuna and onions an ideal complement for crispy fried eggplant.
Serve with a salad, and you have yourself a tasty dinner in minutes. How does it taste? Don’t miss my Eggplant Bake With Tuna And Onions recipe! 1 (12-ounce) can tuna packed in water, drained
1/2 cup sliced onion
3 tablespoons butter or margarine, melted
6 cups thinly sliced eggplant (about 1 large)
6 slices pumpernickel bread (4 ounces), each cut into quarters; toast lightly if desired Preheat oven to 350°F.
In medium bowl, mix together bread crumbs and next 4 ingredients until blended. Spoon about 1/4 cup crumb mixture onto each piece of bread; press down firmly on crumb mixture.
Spread 3 tablespoons melted butter over both sides of bread slices; place on baking sheet. Bake at 350°F for 5 minutes or until golden brown and crisp. Arrange half of eggplant in greased 13x9-inch pan.
Top with tuna mixture, remaining eggplant, and remaining tuna mixture. Drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons melted butter; sprinkle evenly with salt and pepper. Bake at 350°F for 15 minutes or until hot through. Serve immediately.
Makes 6 servings. Each serving: 515 calories; 11 g fat (6 g sat fat, 7 g mono fat); 101 mg cholesterol; 39 g carbohydrate; 14 g protein; 9 g fiber; 1,225 mg sodium. From Southern Living's Test Kitchen
