Fried Eggplant With Salmorejo Sauce Food

FRIED EGGPLANT RECIPE WITH GREEN PEPPERS AND TOMATOES

Steps:

• Spread eggplant slices on paper towels and sprinkle generously with kosher salt. Let sit for 30 minutes to sweat out any bitterness. Pat dry when ready.
• Heat the oil on medium-high heat (be sure the oil is shimmering but not smoking). Start by frying green peppers, skin side down, until tender and skin turns brown. (Do this carefully and use a splatter screen as recommended.) Remove from heat and place on paper towels to drain. Sprinkle with a little salt and a generous sprinkle of sumac.
• In the same frying pan, now fry the eggplant. Do this very carefully (use tongs to keep your distance and a splatter screen to cover the pan or skillet). Oil should still be hot or else eggplant will absorb way too much of it. When edges of one side turn golden brown, flip over. When eggplant turns golden brown on both sides, remove from heat and place on paper towels to drain. Sprinkle generously with sumac.
• If needed, add a little bit of oil to your frying pan. Now, fry the tomatoes for two minutes then add the garlic. Cook another 4 to 5 minutes, tossing gently. Turn the heat down and add 2 tbsp of vinegar, salt, and a generous pinch of sumac. When the tomatoes are tender, releasing juices and turning bright orange in color, turn the heat off.
• Assemble the fried eggplant dish. Grab a large serving platter, layer a bit of the eggplant at the bottom, then add green peppers, then the saucy tomatoes on top. Repeat as needed till you have all the veggies on your platter. Garnish with fresh mint and walnut hearts.
• Serve warm or at room temperature with a side of pita or Lebanese rice.

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.

FRIED EGGPLANT WITH SALMOREJO SAUCE

Steps:

• To prepare the eggplant, peel it and slice across into 1/8-inch-wide slices. Combine 4 cups milk and the salt in a large shallow baking dish and add the eggplant. Add enough of the remaining milk to cover the eggplant. Let soak at least a half-hour before cooking. (You can do this several hours ahead and refrigerate.)
• Meanwhile, to make the sauce, soak the bread briefly in water and squeeze dry. Place the tomatoes, garlic and 3/4 teaspoon salt in the bowl of a food processor and purée. With the processor running, gradually add the bread, process until smooth and drizzle in the olive oil. Add the vinegar and taste for salt. Transfer to a serving bowl and top with the egg and ham. Set aside.
• Preheat the oven to 200 degrees. Mix the cornmeal and flour in a pie plate. Pour the vegetable oil into a skillet to a depth of 1 inch and heat until the oil quickly browns a cube of bread. Remove the eggplant from the milk but do not dry. Quickly coat the slices with the cornmeal and flour, patting to make sure it adheres well. Slide the slices into the oil and fry until golden (a few minutes), turning once. Drain on paper towels and keep warm in the oven while frying the remaining slices. Serve immediately, accompanied by sauce.

FRIED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Cut the eggplant into 1/2-inch thick slices. Line two large sheet trays with paper towels and lay the slices on top in a single layer. Season with a light sprinkle of salt all over both sides of the eggplant. Set aside for 45 minutes, then pat each slice dry with a paper towel.
• Meanwhile, place the flour on a plate. In a wide shallow bowl, whisk together the eggs and milk. In another wide, shallow bowl, combine the panko breadcrumbs, parmesan cheese, remaining 1 1/2 teaspoon of salt and 1/2 teaspoon of black pepper.
• Working 2 to 3 eggplant slices at a time, dredge in the flour to coat completely, dip in the egg mixture, then coat in the panko breadcrumb mixture.
• Preheat the oven to 200°.
• Meanwhile, heat a large skillet filled with about 1/4-inch of vegetable oil over medium-high heat. Heat until very hot (about 350 degrees). Working in batches, cook 4 to 5 slices of eggplant in a single layer until golden brown on each side, about 3 minutes total. Remove from the oil and transfer to a wire rack set over a sheet tray (or a sheet tray lined with paper towels). Hold the fried eggplant warm in the oven. Continue to fry the eggplant slices, adding more oil as needed to the skillet.
• Sprinkle with parsley and season with salt to taste. Serve alongside marinara sauce if you like.