Egyptian Eggplant Food

EGYPTIAN FRIED EGGPLANT WITH TOMATO SAUCE - MESA'AH

Steps:

• Wash the eggplant and slice into 1/4" thick disks.
• In a large nonstick frying pan, add enough oil to coat the pan. Set the heat to medium-high heat.
• Once the oil is hot, add enough eggplant to just cover the pan. Don't stack the eggplant on top of each other.
• Using a fork, flip the eggplant once it's a golden brown. Cook on the other side.
• Add a paper towel to a plate, and place the fried eggplant onto the towel to soak the extra oil.
• Once the eggplant is all fried, set aside.
• Chop the garlic into very fine pieces.
• In a blender, blend the tomatoes. Strain the tomatoes using a fine mesh strainer.
• Add 1 tbsp of oil to a nonstick frying pan on medium-high heat. Add the chopped garlic and cook until medium brown.
• Add the vinegar, blended and strained tomatoes, and whole spicy pepper. Cook on medium-high heat for about 15 minutes to allow all of the flavors to infuse together.
• Add the salt and pepper to taste at the very end.
• Add the fried eggplant into the garlic tomato sauce mixture. Cook for another 2 to 3 minutes altogether.
• Serve with fresh pita bread.

EGYPTIAN EGGPLANT DISH (MASAA'A)

Steps:

• Fry the eggplant slices in oil until golden, set aside on paper towels to drain, and lightly salt.
• Fry potatoes until golden and set aside on paper towels to drain. Lightly salt.
• Fry pepper slices in oil until tender, set aside.
• In a pan, saute the onion until soft. Add Garlic, and saute a 1-2 min more.
• Add the spices and mustard (except salt, unless you want more- I usually think the salted veggies are salty enough. Just taste and see).
• Add in the veggies and tomato sauce and mix well.
• Cook just long enough to heat through.
• Sprinkle with chickpeas.
• Enjoy!

EGYPTIAN EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Peel eggplant if you prefer it without the skin like I do.
• Cute in cubes and mix lemon juice and water and toss together so Eggplant doesn't brown.
• Cut bell pepper into cubes.
• Saute bell pepper and eggplant in olive oil for a couple minutes.
• Add tomato sauce, chicken stock, jalapeno juice, jalapenos, chickpeas.
• Season with sea salt.
• Allow to reduce down until eggplant is soft and chickpeas are tender.
• Server Immediately
• I like mine with some pita bread, yogurt and it's a nice side dish for fish.

EGYPTIAN EGGPLANT OMELET

Steps:

• Peel eggplant; halve it lengthwise. Cut crosswise into 1/2 inch slices, then cut slices into 1/2 inch strips. You should have about 4 cups of eggplant.
• In a covered saucepan cook eggplant and onion in a small amount of boiling salted water about 5 minutes or just till tender; drain well. Pat any excess water off the vegetables with paper towels.
• In a 10 inch oven-going skillet cook beef or lamb and garlic till meat is brown; drain off the fat. Stir in eggplant mixture; spread on the bottom of the skillet.
• Combine eggs, parsley, coriander, salt, cumin, and pepper. Whisk until well combined. Carefully pour over meat and vegetable mixture. Cook over medium heat. As eggs set, run a spatula around the edge of the skillet, lifting the eggs to allow uncooked portion to flow underneath. Continue cooking and lifting until mixture is almost set. (about 10 minutes).
• Place under the broiler about 5 inches from the heat for 2-3 minutes or till set and golden.