Ingredients
- It should be firm and firm. Do not use a supper soft eggplant or a baby eggplant, as it will be hard for them to retain spices.
- All purpose flour
- Plain bread crumbs
- This helps to retain moisture as well as add flavors.
- Parmesan cheese
- Onion and Garlic powder. This provides for an extra flavor without needing to slice onions or garlic.
- Grounded black pepper
- Chili sauce. This is recommended but also optional based on preference.
- Sesame oil. This is an Asian inspired recipe. It is a very flavorful oil, that works beautifully well for eggplants as well as other Asian cuisine.
Instructions
How to cook the eggplant on a stove
Below are the following steps in which you can cook eggplants on a stove:
Method 1: Frying Eggplant
You can fry eggplants on a stove through the following ways:
STEP 1: Slice and salt the eggplant so the eggplant can cook evenly, this will prevent undercooking. Heat the oil until it is very hot but not to the extent that it will be smoking. To prevent soaking up the eggplant in too much oil, use a small amount of oil in a non-stick pan. Using a small amount of oil will ensure that the eggplant is crispy on the outside, while it is soft on the inside.
Add the sliced eggplant, onion and garlic powder, sesame oil and minced garlic into a mixing bowl and mix them very well until they are combined.
STEP 2: While the oil is hot, add the sliced and seasoned slices to pan. Cook for 4 to 5 minutes, before you flip and continue to cook for 5 minutes further.
STEP 3: Make sure that while cooking, you turn the slices of the eggplant often. Slightly turn down the heat if you notice that the eggplants are cooking too fast. Turn the heat down slightly but not too much. The eggplant will start to retain a lot of oil if the oil is not hot enough.
STEP 4: Remove the slices from the stovetop and put them on a plate with paper towel lined in it, when you notice that the slices have turned dark golden brown. Any excess oil will be absorbed by the paper towels. Serve it while it’s hot after seasoning it with salt and pepper to taste.
Method 2: Grilling or Broiling Eggplant
You can grill or broil eggplants through the following simple steps:
STEP 1: Cut your eggplants into slices and salt them.
STEP 2: Use your oil to brush both sides of the eggplant slices.
STEP 3: Use medium heat on the grill pan to grill or broil the slices. As the sides of the slices becomes brown, turn each sides.
STEP 4: Continue grilling or broiling until the slices are cooked thoroughly and are soft.
STEP 5: Serve immediately.
Method 3: Stir-frying Eggplant
This method works well for smaller eggplants. You can stir-fry eggplants on a stove through the following ways:
STEP 1: Cut your eggplants into cubes, salt them and heat the oil until it becomes very hot.
STEP 2: Throw the cubed eggplant when the oil is heated, into the pan and make sure the salt is to taste.
STEP 3: As the cubes cook, continue to stir well. Allow the eggplant to turn golden brown before removing it from the pan.
STEP 4: Serve immediately.