Eggplant Recipes

Eggplant is not only a big hit among vegetarians but also among other people. It can be enjoyed in any form you like, either hot or cold. It can also be enjoyed marinated, stuffed or roasted. Or you can add it to a casserole or make a really interesting stew or add it to brochettes. A common way to enjoy eggplant is to slice it, coat it with bread crumb or batter and fry it away, just make sure the oil is preheated. Eggplant is quite a versatile vegetable as it goes with any spices like basil, bay leaves, chili powder, oregano, garlic, sage, thyme, marjoram and parsley.

To enjoy a good eggplant recipe, it is important to have the right eggplant. While you are out shopping for eggplants, here are some things to consider:

• Check to see that the eggplant doesn't have any brown spots on the skin or stem.
• Check to see that the green stem is free of mold.
• The skin of the eggplant should be smooth and shiny, it shouldn't have bruises and blemishes.
• Look for skin that is resilient and is springy when pressure is applied.
• Make sure the eggplant is heavy in size.

If you do not want a bitter eggplant then opt for a smaller one, as the larger ones have more seeds than the smaller ones. But it you want to remove the bitterness from an eggplant it is best to soak it in salt and water for a few hours before cooking.

Eggplant in Tangy Chili sauce (Terong Balado)Ingredients:

• One medium eggplant.
• 2 teaspoons of light soy sauce.
• ¼ teaspoon sesame oil.
• ½ teaspoon of sugar.
• 1 teaspoon of vegetable oil.
• ½ an handful of basil leaves.
• Freshly chopped tomatoes.
• 1 tablespoon of chili sauce.
• Purple shallots chopped.
• 1 tablespoon minced garlic.
• Fresh red chili 1 tablespoon.
• 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil.
• 1 tablespoon tomato puree.
• ½ teaspoon of dried shrimp.
• ½ teaspoon salt.
• 1 teaspoon sugar.
• 3 teaspoons lime juice.

Preparation:

• Take the eggplant and cut it into thick slices. Rub these slices with light soy sauce, sesame oil and sugar. Let this sit and marinate as you prepare the sauce.
• Put the purple shallots, garlic, chili, dried shrimp and ½ teaspoon of oil in an blender and make a paste.
• Take a frying pan and put it on medium heat, once it is hot, add oil. Add the paste that you made to this hot oil.
• Let the paste cook and fry on medium heat for 5 minutes till the oil starts separating from the paste. After this add the sugar, salt and let this cook for a minute or two.
• To this paste, add the tomato puree along with a tablespoon of water and let that cook for another 3 minutes.
• Remove this paste from the heat and put it in a bowl. To this add the lime juice as per taste.
• Now take a skillet and heat it and add a tablespoon of vegetable oil. Let the oil spread in the skillet. Add the marinated eggplant slices and let them fry for 3 minutes on one side and then flip them over and let them cook for another 3 minutes on the other.
• Serve the slices of eggplant with the chili sauce and garnish with the basil and tomatoes.

So, if you are having guests over for dinner tonight, and you don't know what to make for them, this recipe will surely be a smashing hit!