My parents never cooked eggplant for us (my siblings and me) because my mom absolutely hated it. When I was in my 20s, I figured out why my mom hated it: My grandmother didn't salt, set, and then rinse the sliced eggplant to draw out the bitterness. After doing that for an eggplant parmesan I made, I realized that I LIKE eggplant. Alas, my parents still do not allow eggplant in their house so no parm for them. :(
I second the rave for Baba Ganoush, a spread or dip with tahini, lemon juice & lots of garlic that I discovered in Madhur Jaffrey's World of the East cookbook. Yum! Charring the eggplant in the oven or grill gives it a smoky, almost sweet depth. Eggplant & garlic are a combination that I can't pass up. Can't wait to try some of these. Report
There's a recipe on sparkrecipes called "Cheesy Stuffed Eggplant," and it MAKES MY LIFE. I made it again the other day. I love it!
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MAMACHUBS45
I will try 3 or 4 of these dishes. I love eggplant and was looking for a better prep form and healthier lifestyle, I have 2 of these beauties in the fridge with peppers, onions, zucchini and olives for a veggie stew with fresh tomatoes. Thanks a bunch
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Eggplant (aubergine) is one vegetable I have never been able to get to grips with, no matter how it's been prepared/cooked, no matter by whom. There are other veggies I really don't like - but I can at least eat some to be polite. Not aubergine. However, I'll have a look at the recipes because hubby loves the stuff, and I have to make it at least once a week for him - usually flash fried, with bacon and pineapple and whatever other veg is there. So he might enjoy it cooked different;y for a wee change :)
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I really don't like eggplant, but we get lots of it in our CSA share. I have tried it many different ways, none that have turned me on to the stuff. The only thing I like is an eggplant dip that they make and sell at the farm. It's made with roasted eggplant, so maybe I will try that recipe.
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We have two egg plant plants growing in are back yard. They are so yummy. We barbque most of all are vegetables its the only way to go. We put a little olive oil on and seasoning and there we have it. Its hard to just eat a little. I could eat it the old fashioned way, but I don't like to put batter on it like in Egg Plant Parmesian. There is just to many ingriendents and you don't need to do that.
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i LOVE eggplant!..i like to make a "lazy-girl" ratatouilli..i take a big pot and add: 1 chopped onion,.. 4 chopped cloves garlic,.. 1 - 2 medium zucchini, sliced,..1 - 2 medium eggplant, cubed, (unpeeled),..1 (12oz) can of low-sodium V-8..basil, oregano & red pepper flakes to taste..bring to a boil, cover, and simmer till tender..great over pasta, rice, couscous, baked potatoes, or just plain..
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Think I'll try the eggplant/squash/tomato casserole and roasted eggplant. I've only tried cooking eggplant once before and the results weren't too stellar.
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Eggplant is one of those foods that I cannot bring myself to try. I don't know why...maybe some past childhood eggplant trauma? Do you have any recipes for the "veggie-shy"?
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I grill aubergine on the bbq, make ratatouille and occasionally moussaka or eggplant lasagne, but OMG the best thing is babaganoush! I could eat this aubergine dip on anything!
Also, I supsect many of those who don't like eggplant have been served it undercooked and rubbery. No-one likes undercooked, rubbery aubergine!
(And no, I can never make up my mind whether it is aubergine or eggplant! ;) )
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I've never really tried to cook with eggplant (they sort of intimidate me) but the ones that sound like the easiest way to sneak in more veggis to my kids were the pizza's and taco filling. May have to try those this next week! Thanks for the ideas while I am doing my menu planning!!
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LIBBYWELLS06
My 20 something daughter is a vegetarian and it can be challenging to vary the meals so we're trying the Curried Eggplant Bolognese... sounds yummy.
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LARSIL
When in the Navy, I lived in Turkey for 12 months -- and the story was that a traditional Turkish mother would not allow her daughter to get married until she had learned 100 recipes for eggplant! ("Aubergines").
One of my favorites is Ratatouille -- the French eggplant and vegetable stew from the south of France, and recently featured in a Disney movie. There are even a good couple of recipes in the Spark collection. (We had a crockpot version of that tonight!) Other favorites are moussaka, and grilled marinated slices of eggplant. (You can marinate and grill ANYTHING in the summer!)
I broil a half dozen (or so) eggplants at a time and make Indian-style eggplant curry, freezing the curry in snack- and quart-size bags for a quick and convenient lunch-time meal. I modified the higher-fat recipe for a much healthy one. It's become one of my favorite curries.
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I've never had eggplant, and one of my goals is to try new veggies for a month..so the eggplant Lasagna, sounds great!Will get the fixings and try it this week end!
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I'm sorry, having been 'tortured' with eggplant and other veggies as a child, its my opinion that there is NOTHING "Delectable" about an eggplant.... IF you want to grind it up and disguise it in other food, fine...
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Timely article, I currently have more eggplant than I know what to do with. I plan on making a veggie terrine (like a cold lasagna without pasta...just colorful veggies and cheese set in a loaf pan and sliced like cake) or two and freezing for I-don't-want-to-cook days. These recipes will come in handy!
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Comments
Can yu believe I actually make eggplant meatball? (It's Martha
Stewart recipe). Report
p.s. I LOVE babaghanoush!!! Report
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However, I'll have a look at the recipes because hubby loves the stuff, and I have to make it at least once a week for him - usually flash fried, with bacon and pineapple and whatever other veg is there. So he might enjoy it cooked different;y for a wee change :) Report
YUCK!! Report
Also, I supsect many of those who don't like eggplant have been served it undercooked and rubbery. No-one likes undercooked, rubbery aubergine!
(And no, I can never make up my mind whether it is aubergine or eggplant! ;) ) Report
One of my favorites is Ratatouille -- the French eggplant and vegetable stew from the south of France, and recently featured in a Disney movie. There are even a good couple of recipes in the Spark collection. (We had a crockpot version of that tonight!) Other favorites are moussaka, and grilled marinated slices of eggplant. (You can marinate and grill ANYTHING in the summer!)
Enjoy! ---LarSil Report
IF you want to grind it up and disguise it in other food, fine... Report