Turkish Eggplant Dinner Casserole
This simple baked eggplant casserole is an easy idea for dinner. Known as Imam bayildi in Turkey, thinly sliced eggplant combines with canned diced tomatoes, yellow onion, garlic and herbs into a lasagna-like slab. Made using a combination of the stovetop and oven, its a deliciously simple, flavorful meal that is also vegan, paleo, gluten-free and dairy-free.
I talk a lot about how to add healthy fat to your meals in my cookbook. Fats gotten a bad rap for a long time in the wellness world. Its not hard to understand why, given that its own name has become synonymous with muffin tops and cankles. But this Turkish eggplant casserole recipe proves why olive oil makes the world go round.
Having been raised on olive oil fried eggs and the philosophy that an avocado a day keeps the doctor away, Im glad that people are finally putting down the fat-free SnackWells cookies and starting to reevaluate their healthy choices according to a different barometer.
Despite this progress, I still get criticized all the time for slapping the word healthy on my recipes alongside a few tablespoons of butter. And I still have to tinker with the amount of oil I use when developing recipes for fitness magazines like SELF, who live and die by the fat grams reported on their nutrition calculators.
The 35 Best Eggplant Recipes
Eggplant. They come in various sizes, colors, shapes and even names Aubergine, brinjal, eggplant. Eggplant is either wholeheartedly loved or wholeheartedly disliked. The inspiration behind this list of Eggplant Recipes is trying to convert most of you to give this amazingly versatile vegetable a chance and start loving it.
When cooked right, with loads of flavor enhancers and seasonings , eggplants turns into amazingly varied flavors. This Eggplant Recipes list has the crispiest of eggplants to the most creamy, soft mushy creations. From varied dips from all over the world, to regular cheesy comfort pans like lasagna and parmesan, to some delicious curries and stews, we have great eggplant ideas for you.
This collection has all the classic eggplant recipes and more. Go through it and make some cracking eggplant recipes on meatless nights or pair it with some hearty meats.
What To Eat This Week
Heres a blueprint for easy meal prep this week. Youll see that breakfasts are a mix of some make-ahead meals and some morning-of options. Lunches also utilize the mix-and-match strategy using store bought items like rotisserie chicken or simple roasted chickpeas and vegetables. While weve offered five different dinner options, you can streamline the menu by making enough for leftovers. From easy one-pot and sheet-pan dinners to a better-for-you version of a Chinese takeout favorite, we’ve got you covered this week.
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Ingredients In Healthy Eggplant Parmesan
Before making eggplant parmesan myself at home I thought it was much harder and required more ingredients than it actually does. Turns out, the process is pretty simple and you need less than 10 ingredients to whip it up. Heres what you need for this healthier baked version:
- almond flour if you dont want to use almond flour you can also use bread crumbs
- cheese were using two different types of cheese, parmesan and mozzarella
- seasonings Italian seasoning, salt and pepper
- you can certainly make your own, but I used jarred sauce for mine
- fresh basil dont skip the fresh basil. It takes this eggplant parm to another level
How To Saute Eggplant
This section shows the best way to saute eggplant with step-by-step photos and details about the technique, to help you visualize it. For full instructions, including amounts and temperatures, see the recipe card below.
- Season. Sprinkle eggplant with salt, pepper, and garlic powder. If you want more flavor, you can add some Italian seasoning as well.
TIP: No need to pre-salt! This is a common practice with eggplant to remove bitterness, but most eggplants today are bred to avoid this problem. Eggplant cooks up much faster this way, too.
- Saute. Heat oil in a large skillet and add eggplant slices in a single layer. Working in batches, saute the eggplant on both sides, until completely soft and caramelized. Repeat with remaining eggplant, adding oil between batches, until done.
TIP: Dont move the eggplant around! Unlike some sauteing methods, in this case we want to leave the eggplant untouched except when flipping. This will give us that beautiful, delicious browning.
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Expert Tips And Tricks
- Cube it up. This allows for more surface area to contact the high heat and crisp up.
- Toss halfway through. You want all of the sides to be exposed to the heat without burning.
- Roast at high heat. Quickly cooking gives a nice outer crust while keeping the inside firm.
- Right kind of oil. A high smoke point oil like avocado oil is best.
- Flavor it up. Change up the flavors and mix in herbs and sauces.
Garlic Parmesan Baked Eggplant
Garlic Parmesan Baked Eggplant crispy baked, not fried, eggplant with a garlic parmesan breading. Simply dredge slices of egg-dipped eggplant into a flavorful combination of parmesan, crumbs and seasoning. Then roast the pieces just long enough to crisp the outside before the inside becomes too soft. A delicious way to enjoy your favorite eggplant.
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What Recipes Do We Have For You Today
There are so many different ways to prepare vegetarian recipes using eggplant. These healthy eggplant recipes range from lasagne to mediterranean stuffed eggplant, to eggplant cannelloni and baba ghanoush.
Eggplant pairs particularly well with tomato and sharp cheeses like vegetarian parmesan. Hence why it is used in many Mediterranean recipes. Its subtle flavor is also complemented by fresh herbs like oregano, thyme and basil.
We hope you enjoy trying out the range of delicious food that can be made with the humble eggplant!
Eggplant Sandwich With Tomato & Pesto
Here’s another grilled eggplant recipe: this time in sandwich form! It features ripe, juicy tomatoes alongside smoky grilled eggplant, creamy fresh mozzarella, basil pesto, and our secret ingredient: olive spread. It’s based on a sandwich we had a sandwich shop in Pisa, Italy, and it’s so bursting with flavor that it’s become one of our favorite recipes to impress guests.
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Grilled Swordfish With Caponata
Swordfish on its own is fine, but becomes a restaurant-worthy meal when served with sweet and sour caponata. The traditional eggplant dish is the Italian version of ratatouille, in that it’s also a cooked vegetable salad, but it differs with the addition of capers and golden raisins.
Get our recipe for Grilled Swordfish with Caponata.
There’s enough cheese in here to hide the fact that instead of dough, this pizza uses eggplant rounds as the base. But instead of feeling cheated, you’ll rejoice in the way this neutral vegetable crisps up when coated in breadcrumbs and stands back to let the tangy tomato sauce and fresh basil shine.
Get the recipe from Pinch of Yum.
Get the recipe from i am a food blog.
A plate full of this salad is like winding your way through a treasure map, each bite revealing a pop of flavor you weren’t expecting. In addition to the eggplant and goat cheese, there’s pine nuts, basil, mint, and a drizzle of balsamic vinegar that ties everything together.
Get the recipe from Love and Olive Oil.
No collection of eggplant recipes would be complete without at least one take on eggplant parm. This version of the Italian classic bakes the eggplant instead of frying it, and uses a special trick of salting the rounds to remove any unwanted bitterness.
Get the recipe from Gimme Some Oven.
Get the recipe from The First Mess.
Healthy Eggplant Recipes For Weight Loss
What should I make for dinner tonight? This might just be the number one question that we ask ourselves almost daily over here.
Then you have come to the right place, we have rounded up 15 healthy eggplant recipes for weight loss that we have shared over the years.
Plus, there is such a variety of flavours in these recipes, so you are sure to find something for you. Most of these recipes are quick and easy ones made especially for busy weeknights.
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Why Do You Soak Eggplant In Water Before Cookings
Soaking the eggplant in salty water before cooking helps to reduce bitterness and stop it absorbing oil.
Salting it and leaving it to dry out on kitchen roll has a similiar effect. It also helps it to keep its shape and improves the texture when cooked.
Nowadays, eggplants have had a lot of the bitterness bred out of them, so salting and/or soaking is less important for that purpose, more for the sake of oil absorption and texture.
How To Make Baked Eggplant Parmesan
Like I mentioned before, the process of making eggplant parm is way easier than I thought! And to keep things really easy, healthier and less messy, were baking the eggplant instead of frying it.
First things first, preheat your oven. Line two large baking sheets with parchment paper and coat with cooking spray. Next, prep an assembly line for the baked eggplant. In a shallow bowl, whisk together the almond flour, parmesan, Italian seasoning and sea salt. In another shallow bowl whisk the eggs with water, salt and pepper.
Dip the eggplant slices into the egg wash and let the excess liquid drip away. Then sprinkle a little of the almond flour parmesan mixture on each side. I highly recommend sprinkling it rather than dredging the wet eggplant slices into the almond flour mixture. This keeps the dry mixture from getting too wet, which results in a clumpy mixture that wont stick to the eggplant!
Place the coated eggplant slices onto the baking sheet and spray tops lightly with cooking spray . Bake until the eggplant slices are soft on the inside and golden and crispy on the outside, about 30 minutes, flipping around the 15 minute mark.
Thats it! Remove the eggplant parmesan from the oven, cut, serve and enjoy.
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Best Keto Eggplant Recipes
I have a secret to tell you. Before I stumbled upon delicious dishes like these keto eggplant recipes, I wasnt so sure about eggplant.
In hindsight, I think I just never had eggplant prepared well.
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Now, Ive had my eyes opened to the wonderful world of eggplant! And its not just eggplant parmesan .
Eggplant is a fantastic source of nutrients and antioxidants.
Its been shown to reduce the risk of heart disease and even some cancers. Plus, eggplant is very keto-friendly!
Eggplant is a low-carb, high-fiber fruit, so its perfect for keto dieters. Its low calories too, so you can eat a lot of it without guilt.
Trust me, eggplant can be delectable. And these keto eggplant recipes prove it!
What Does Eggplant Parmesan Taste Like
I was surprised to find out how many people asked what eggplant parm tastes like. Since everyone knows how delicious sauce and cheese are, let’s talk about what eggplant tastes like. The closest comparison is a slightly more bitter zucchini. The texture is similar, although eggplant can be more firm and spongy. The taste is also less sweet than zucchini. The most important thing to making sure you enjoy eggplant is removing the bitterness, which is discussed below.
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Middle Eastern Roasted Eggplant Salad
This Roasted Eggplant Salad is packed with Middle Eastern spices, giving it so much warm flavor. Its an incredibly versatile dish that you can enjoy as a salad, side dish or even dip.
So, thats it for now my friends. All of these wonderful eggplant recipes in one place. Pin or bookmark this page so you can select any one of the above the next time you have a good looking fresh eggplant in your kitchen.
I ask the most reluctant of the eggplant skeptics to try something like eggplant parm or lasagna, and see how it changes your perception. Whats there to loose? There is a good chance that you are going to be a convert and turned into An Eggplant Lover
Pan Fried Eggplant Variations
- Sauteed eggplant and zucchini Fry a mix of eggplant and zucchini slices. Both work great using this method, just make sure they are sliced to the same thickness.
- Sauteed eggplant with garlic If you prefer fresh minced garlic instead of the garlic powder used in this recipe, add the garlic toward the end of cooking so that it doesnt burn.
- Mediterranean sauteed eggplant Pan fry the eggplant using the instructions below, then add the toppings from this Mediterranean chicken recipe.
- Pan fried eggplant cubes Like Ive explained above, I much prefer to saute eggplant slices, but if you prefer, you can saute cubes instead. Be sure to turn them occasionally so that all sides get browned.
- Eggplant with feta When the eggplant is almost done, place a cube of feta cheese on each eggplant, cover, and let it soften.
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Torn Pita And Eggplant Salad With Parsley And Green Tahini
Eggplant isn’t as popular a salad ingredient as, say, tomatoes, but that doesn’t mean you should shy away from using this meaty nightshade in your next bowl of greens. In this recipe, which is kind of like a deconstructed baba ganoush, you’ve got broiled, seasoned eggplant, crispy pita pieces, and parsley leaves. Everything is tied together with flavorful green tahini, which is as tasty as it is versatile. Seriously, you’re going to want to make extra and pair it with everything from grain bowls to crudités.
Winter Dinners For Weight Loss In 15 Minutes
This quick soup recipe is done in only 15 minutes thanks to convenience products like frozen chopped onion and precooked kielbasa. You’ll have a warming winter soup on the table in no time! View Recipe
This might be one of the creamiest light pasta dishes you’ve ever had! The mascarpone cheese adds a richness to the spinach pasta that’s unexpectedespecially in a healthy pasta recipe. View Recipe
Made with convenient canned beans, this quick and healthy Indian recipe is an authentic chickpea curry that you can make in minutes. If you want an additional vegetable, stir in some roasted cauliflower florets. Serve with brown basmati rice or warm naan. View Recipe
This black bean and quinoa bowl has many of the usual hallmarks of a taco salad, minus the fried bowl. We’ve loaded it up with pico de gallo, fresh cilantro and avocado plus an easy hummus dressing to drizzle on top. View Recipe
Because refrigerated fresh pasta cooks much faster than dried pasta, this Italian-inspired pasta dish will be on the table lickety-split! Puttanesca, traditionally made with tomatoes, olives, capers, anchovies and garlic, gets shrimp for extra protein and artichoke hearts to boost the vegetable servings . If you can’t find frozen artichoke hearts, sub in drained canned artichoke hearts. View Recipe
These hearty vegan tacos are quick and easy to make, perfect for busy weeknights. They are so tasty no one will miss the meat or dairy. View Recipe
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In Summary On Family Fall Dinner Recipes
The shift from summer to fall usually means a shift to a busier schedule and cooler weather. The increased business of the fall season can lead to an increased tendency to turn to drive-thrus or hectic meal planning for dinner.
However, it can be possible to make nutritious dinners this fall that will please the whole family. These 14 fall dinner recipes fuel the whole family, satisfy taste buds, and highlight fall seasonal produce. They are meals that are quick to put together and/or can be made ahead of time for busy weeknights.
Does Eggplant Increase Weight
It is known to reduce the bad LDL cholesterol and promote the good HDL cholesterol. Eggplants being low on carbohydrate and calorie, feature high on weight loss diet plan. Also, the saponin in the eggplant obstructs fat accumulation and absorption in the body, thereby making it a great addition to your diet.
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Healthy Eggplant Recipes That Arent Eggplant Parm
Despite its perplexing name, eggplant is an amazing food to cook with. Theres a truly impressive array of tasty and healthy eggplant recipes in the world, just waiting to be made and enjoyed by you.
Eggplant is much more versatile than many people realize, Rachael Hartley, R.D., certified intuitive eating counselor and owner of Rachael Hartley Nutrition, tells SELF. The type of taste, texture, and yumminess you get really depends on how you like to prepare your eggplant.
For instance, When roasted or broiled with plenty of olive oil, eggplant gets a tender and buttery texture I just love, Hartley saysgreat for mashing into a sauce or pureeing into a dip. And while eggplant can act as a mild-flavored sponge for other flavors , Hartley finds that eggplant is also a particularly satisfying ingredient in vegetarian meals given the meaty, smokey taste it can take on while cookingespecially when enhanced with umami-rich ingredients and caramelized or charred.
As for what makes an eggplant recipe healthy? Given that youre starting with a fiber and vitamin-stuffed veggie, most anything you make with eggplant provides some great nutrition. If youre going to build a full, satisfying meal around eggplantas opposed to a side or appetizerthen its a great idea to include a form of protein, fat, and starch, Hartley explains.
No matter how you like to eat your illogically named nightshade, theres something here for you. Here are 27 yummy, healthy eggplant recipes.