Pan Fried Eggplant With Balsamic Basil Capers Recipe 445 Food

PAN-FRIED EGGPLANT WITH BALSAMIC, BASIL, & CAPERS RECIPE - (4.4/5)

Steps:

• Simmer vinegar over medium heat in a 1 quart saucepan until reduced to a thick syrup, about 15 minutes. Heat half the oil in a 12" skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches and adding more oil as needed, fry eggplant, flipping once, until golden-brown, 5-7 minutes; transfer to paper towels to drain and season with salt and pepper. Arrange on a platter; drizzle with balsamic; garnish with capers and basil.

PAN-FRIED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Shake flour, bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, salt, pepper, and garlic powder together in a gallon-size resealable plastic bag.
• Pour oil into a large iron skillet over medium heat. Coat a handful eggplant slices with the flour mixture. Add to the hot oil; cook until crisp and light brown, 2 to 3 minutes. Flip and cook until other side is browned, 1 to 2 minutes more. Remove slices carefully and move to a plate or cooling rack; cover with paper towels. Repeat with the remaining eggplant slices.

CHARRED EGGPLANT WITH BURRATA AND FRIED CAPERS

Steps:

• In a small saucepan or skillet, heat ¼ cup olive oil over medium-high until it shimmers, about 1 minute. Meanwhile, dry the capers very well by wrapping them in paper towels or a clean dish towel and wringing out the moisture. (If there is too much moisture, the oil will sputter aggressively.) Line a plate or tray with paper towels or a clean dish towel.
• When the oil is ready, carefully drop the capers in and fry for 2 to 3 minutes, until golden. (Watch closely, as smaller capers will cook more quickly.) Remove the capers from the oil with a slotted spoon and drain on the lined plate. They will crisp up further as they cool.
• Transfer the caper-infused oil to a large heatproof bowl and set aside to cool for a few minutes.
• Lay the disks of eggplant on a large cutting board or sheet pan and drizzle with olive oil, flip over and drizzle the other side. Heat a large (12-inch) grill pan or cast-iron skillet on medium-high. (See Tip for grilling instructions.) When hot, working in batches, add the eggplant disks in a single layer and cook for 2 minutes, pressing the eggplant into the pan to encourage browning. Flip, reduce heat to medium and cook on the other side for another 2 to 3 minutes, until completely tender. (The eggplant continues to soften as it soaks up the marinade in the next step, so don't be tempted to overcook.) Remove the eggplant from the pan and place them back on the cutting board or plate. Continue cooking the remaining eggplant.
• Meanwhile, to the bowl with the cooled caper-infused oil, add the herbs, garlic, red-pepper flakes, lemon zest and juice, ½ teaspoon of kosher salt and a few pinches of black pepper. Toss to combine and taste, making sure it has enough salt. Add the warm eggplant slices to the oil and gently toss to coat. Allow to marinate for at least 5 minutes (see Tip).
• Serve this on one large platter or as four separate servings. Place the burrata (for single servings, halve each ball of burrata) on the plate along with the eggplant and top with any remaining marinade and the fried capers, and scatter with fresh herbs.

PAN-FRIED EGGPLANT WITH ONION, CAPER AND HERB SAUCE

Steps:

• Peel eggplants and slice into 3/4 inch slices. Sprinkle both sides with salt, and let sit about 20 minutes to draw out the water. Blot both sides with paper towel.
• Heat 1 tbsp olive oil in large non-stick frying pan over medium-high heat. Cook eggplant about 4-5 minutes on each side, until cooked through and browned. Remove eggplant to serving dish.
• While eggplant is cooking, combine capers, lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, parsley, basil and 1 tbsp olive oil. For a finely chopped sauce, you can pulse this mixture in a food processor, otherwise can leave as is (if not using capers, leave as is).
• Add last tbsp olive oil to pan, heat about 30 seconds, then add red onion and saute 2-3 minutes. Add minced garlic and saute another minute. Add caper mixture and heat through for about a minute.
• Pour sauce over eggplant and serve immediately.