Simple Italian Fried Eggplant Recipes

SIMPLE ITALIAN FRIED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Wash and dry eggplant. Cut of the stems at both ends. Using a sharp, serrated knife, or a Mandoline cut the eggplant into 1/4 inch round pieces leaving the skin on.
• Lie the eggplant slices onto a large platter slightly overlapping. Sprinkle salt onto eggplant. Layer if needed but, salt each layer. When done, let eggplant rest for 15 so the brown, bitter juice can "sweat out."
• Meanwhile, heat the oil on med/high heat in a large frying pan and make the dredging station: Put flour onto a paper plate (easier clean up) and the beaten eggs into a shallow bowl. Line a platter with two paper towels for draining the fried eggplant.
• When eggplant slices are done sweating out the bitter, brown juice, dip them in this order: first in the flour and then dunk them in the eggs until fully coated with egg on both sides and then in the frying pan. Repeat these steps. The next step talks more about frying.
• Fry eggplant slices in med/high heat 365 degrees if using an oil thermometer, for about 3 minutes per side or until golden brown. Thicker slices will need to cook a bit longer. Drain the fried eggplant slices on the paper towel-lined platter.

EASY FRIED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Dip eggplant slices in egg, then in crumbs, and place in hot oil. Fry 2 to 3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.

ITALIAN FRIED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Heat cooking oil until hot. Put eggs and flour in separate bowls. Dip each eggplant slice, first in the flour, then in the eggs, until throughly covered on both sides. Place each eggplant slice in the pan and cook until golden brown. Place eggplant slices in baking pan. Top each with marinara sauce and bake for 10 minutes. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese.

TRADITIONAL EGGPLANT PARMIGIANA

Steps:

• In a colander, toss eggplant with 2 teaspoons salt. Let stand 30 minutes. Arrange slices in a single layer on a dish towel and roll up tightly to extract excess water.
• Meanwhile, in a medium pot, bring tomatoes and garlic to a boil. Reduce heat and cook at a rapid simmer until thickened, 30 minutes.
• In a shallow dish, combine breadcrumbs and 1/4 cup Parmesan; season with salt and pepper. Put flour and eggs in two more shallow dishes. Coat eggplant in flour, shaking off excess. Dip in egg, letting excess drip off. Coat with breadcrumbs.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large straight-sided skillet, heat oil over medium-high (a few breadcrumbs should sizzle when added). In batches, fry eggplant until golden brown and tender, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Drain on a paper-towel-lined baking sheet.
• Spread 1 cup tomato sauce in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Top with half the eggplant, overlapping slices slightly, 2 cups sauce, and half the mozzarella. Repeat with remaining eggplant, sauce, and mozzarella, then sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan.
• Bake until sauce is bubbling and cheese is golden, about 30 minutes. Let cool 15 minutes before serving.

GRANDMA'S ITALIAN EGGPLANT PARMIGIANA

Steps:

• Lay eggplant slices on top of paper towels and sprinkle with sea salt to draw out moisture. Cover with additional paper towels. Let sit, 8 hours to overnight.
• Place flour into a 1-gallon plastic zip-top bag. Sprinkle salt and pepper into the flour and shake the bag to mix. Place 6 eggplant slices into the bag, seal, and shake to coat.
• Beat eggs and water together using a fork in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
• Heat 2 inches of oil over medium-high heat in a 10-inch cast iron skillet. Line baking sheets with paper towels to drain eggplants after frying.
• Shake excess flour from eggplant slices and place into egg mixture, turning to ensure both sides are coated. Allow excess egg mixture to drip off before placing slices into the hot oil. Fry until slightly golden, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to the paper towel-lined baking sheets. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon Pecorino Romano cheese. Repeat process until all eggplant slices are fried. Let cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Pour a small amount of tomato sauce into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking pan to cover. Place 1/3 of the eggplant slices over sauce, slightly overlapping them. Sprinkle 1/3 of the remaining Pecorino-Romano cheese and Parmesan cheese evenly over the slices. Cover with a light layer of sauce. Sprinkle 1/3 of the mozzarella cheese over sauce. Repeat for a total of 3 layers.
• Bake in the preheated oven until bubbly, about 40 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes to set.