Everything You Can Do With an Eggplant
Buy it, use it, bake it, grill it, stuff it, fry it, and upgrade it
How do we love eggplant? Let us count the ways. The purple-hued vegetable is not only one of the most unique produce ingredients in both taste and texture; it's also one of the most versatile in terms of technique.
You can find varieties of eggplant in recipes all over the world, from Middle Eastern cuisine to Chinese cuisine. In the Middle East, find the stuff charred over open flame or mashed into a decadently creamy spread called baba ghannouj. Ideal for pita, it's the perfect way to break your hummus routine. Meanwhile in China, find eggplant steamed and then stir-fried in a wok with garlic and spices. It pairs excellently with rice for a complete meal.
From an Azeri eggplant-walnut frittata a Turkish stuffed number, here are our absolute favorite ways to use eggplant.
Charred Eggplant with Chile Sauce & Tahini
Charring young eggplant over an open flame lends a smoky flavor to this dish from the Galilee. Get the recipe for Charred Eggplant with Chile Sauce & Tahini »
Fried Eggplant with Walnut Sauce (Badridzhani Nigvsit)
Tender fried eggplant sandwiches pesto-like walnut sauce in this appetizer recipe. Get the recipe for Fried Eggplant with Walnut Sauce (Badridzhani Nigvsit) »
Chinese Spicy Garlic Eggplant (Yu Xiang Qie Zi)
Steaming eggplant, as opposed to deep-frying it, lightens this fragrant stir-fry adapted from a recipe in Grace Young and Alan Richardson’s The Breath of a Wok (Simon & Schuster, 2004). Get the recipe for Chinese Spicy Garlic Eggplant (Yu Xiang Qie Zi) »
Pan-Fried Eggplant with Balsamic, Basil, and Capers
Creamy, mild eggplant pairs with briny capers, floral basil, and a drizzle of balsamic reduction for a knockout appetizer or side dish. Get the recipe for Pan-Fried Eggplant with Balsamic, Basil, and Capers »
Mashed Eggplant Spread (Baba Ghannouj)
The classic Middle Eastern eggplant spread, redolent with garlic and smoky charred eggplant, is made even creamier with the addition of mayonnaise. Get the recipe for Mashed Eggplant Spread (Baba Ghannouj) »
Roasted Eggplant with Goat Cheese Tahini and Pine Nuts
These one-bite hors d’oeuvres are inspired by the ingredients of a classic Middle Eastern baba ganoush; they can be served either cool or hot out of the oven. Get the recipe for Roasted Eggplant with Goat Cheese Tahini and Pine Nuts »
Moussaka
A good moussaka—a baked casserole of eggplant, zucchini, tomatoes, and minced lamb or beef under a lush layer of béchamel sauce—is one of the most fabulous things you can eat. Get the recipe for Moussaka »
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