5 Ways To Cook Eggplant

According to Medical News Today, eggplants are a good source of vitamins and minerals and are low in calories.

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August 4, 2015 4 min read
The versatility of eggplant allows it to be incorporated into many different dishes.

The versatility of eggplant allows it to be incorporated into many different dishes.

According to Medical News Today, eggplant is a good source of vitamins and minerals and is low in calories. Because of this, eggplant is a great ingredient to add to most dishes. Students taking Texas culinary arts courses should learn at least a few of the many ways this item can be incorporated into a healthy and tasty meal. This type of squash, which is a fruit, is very versatile and can be used in a large number of dishes, making it a valuable ingredient to many chefs.

Put it on pizza
Tired of the typical pizza toppings? Try adding some chopped up eggplant to the next one you make. One large eggplant diced into bite-sized pieces should be plenty for a pizza. Eggplant goes well with the red sauce of the pizza, and cheese sticks to it well. In general it’s best to either put the eggplant beneath the cheese, directly on top of the sauce or sandwich the eggplant between two layers of shredded cheese. Be sure to sprinkle some Parmesan over the top of the entire pizza before it goes into the oven.

Eggplant baked fries
Baked and breaded eggplant fries can be a tasty and healthy alternative to those french fries you love so much. All you have to do is cut the eggplant into french fry shapes, soak it in some soy yogurt, and then toss in a mixture of spices and bread crumbs. Once they are totally coated, put them in the oven for a few minutes and you’ve got an unusual and healthy side dish or snack. The fries go especially well with some spicy ketchup or marinara sauce as a dip.

Make a soup
Because eggplant is so versatile, when it comes to soup, you can really do anything. You can use it  as the main ingredient as you would in an eggplant and garlic soup or you can just add it to a recipe such as white bean and chicken chili. When you add eggplant to a soup, something you should consider is texture. Depending on the size and shape you cut the eggplant into it can add a unique and interesting texture to a soup. Also, consider the amount of time that you cook the soup. The longer the eggplant is cooked, the more the pieces will break down.

Stuffed eggplant 
If soup isn’t what you’re interested in, consider making a stuffed eggplant. Simply cut the eggplant lengthwise and boil it until the center becomes soft. Once the texture is right, scoop out the center of the eggplant with a spoon and mix the soft center with some vegetables and cooked meat, then place the mixture back inside the eggplant. In general, bacon works well as a meat. Add diced onion and peppers and any spices you want. Once the eggplant is stuffed, put it back into the oven and let it cook. If you want, once the stuffed eggplant is almost done, you can add some shredded cheese on top. After the cheese melts, it’s ready to be served.

Grill it next to your steaks 
Summer is the time for grilling, and sometimes there is just nothing better than a juicy steak. However, you’ll need something to go with that steak – grilled eggplant. Eggplant is a great option for grilling. Whether you want to cut it into small pieces and make eggplant kabobs, or long narrow pieces and lay them directly next to your steak is up to you. With a little garlic powder, black pepper and salt, your steak won’t be the only mouthwatering food over your grill’s flames.

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