Calabrese Fried Eggplant Recipes

FRIED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Peel 2 small eggplants and cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds. Put 1 cup flour in a shallow bowl, beat 4 eggs in another bowl and put 1 cup breadcrumbs in another. Coat the eggplant in flour, then egg (let any excess drip off), then breadcrumbs. Heat 1/4 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the eggplant in batches until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side (add more oil if necessary). Drain on a rack and sprinkle with salt.

CALABRESE FRIED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Score eggplant, place cut side up in baker, cover with EVOO. Bake eggplant 400* for 40 minutes. Remove eggplant from skin, put flesh, bread crumbs, Romano, egg, garlic, basil, and parsley in blender until well blended. Using melon scooper, make balls and deep fry in vegetable oil for about 2-3 minutes. Serve warm with marinara sauce.

DEEP FRIED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Place the flour, egg, and bread crumbs each in 3 small bowls. Add the 1/2 teaspoon of salt to the egg and whisk to combine. Season the bread crumbs with the tablespoon of Essence and stir with a fork or your hands to thoroughly combine.
• Dredge each piece of eggplant in the flour, coating thoroughly and then shaking to remove any excess flour. Coat each piece with the egg, then dredge in the bread crumb mixture, pressing to make the bread crumbs adhere. Transfer the eggplant pieces to a rack or to paper towels to let them dry slightly before frying.
• In a deep, heavy skillet heat 1/2-inch of vegetable oil to 375 degrees F. Fry the eggplant pieces, in batches if necessary, for about 1 minute on each side, or until golden brown. Transfer with tongs to paper towels to drain. Sprinkle lightly with salt before serving. Serve with marinara sauce, or as desired.
• Combine all ingredients thoroughly.
• Recipe from "New New Orleans Cooking", by Emeril Lagasse and Jessie Tirsch. Published by William and Morrow, 1993.