Best Southern Battered Eggplant Aubergine Recipes

MY MOM'S SOUTHERN EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Peel eggplant, cut into 1" cubes and lightly salt to sweat the bitter taste out--about 15-20 minutes.
• Cook in saucepan with water until tender--about 18 minutes; drain and cool slightly.
• Cook sausage, onion until sausage is browned and onion is soft.Combine eggplant and sausage; add egg and bread crumbs.
• Spoon into prepared casserole.
• Combine butter and cracker crumbs. Spread over top of casserole.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 25-30 minutes until cracker crumbs are golden brown.
• Variations:.
• Sprinkle with 1/2 cup Mozzarella cheese, shredded before adding the cracker crumbles.
• Mix in 1/2 cup Rotel Tomatoes, well drained.

FRIED EGGPLANT SOUTHERN STYLE RECIPE - (4.2/5)

Steps:

• 1. Cut eggplant into 1/3 inch slices. 2. Season with salt. 3. Place eggplant slices in colander to drain for 20 minutes. 4. In a shallow dish, whisk egg and buttermilk. 5. On wax paper or cookie sheet, add cornmeal, cornstarch, salt and pepper. 6. Press eggplant slices between paper towels to remove excess moisture. 7. In heavy skillet, heat 1-inch oil to 350 F. 8. Dip eggplant in egg, mixture dredge in cornmeal mixture. Shake off excess. 9. Fry eggplant 2 minutes, turn and fry 1 minute. Eggplant should be golden brown. 10. Drain excess oil, place on paper towels. 11. Season with salt and pepper. 12. Serve immediately.

GREEK FRIED EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) (MELITZANES TIGANITES)

Steps:

• For Fritter Batter: Sift 1 cup plain flour and a pinch of salt into a bowl.
• Add 1 egg yolk, 1 tablespoon oil and 3/4 cup lukewarm water.
• Beat until smooth.
• Let stand for 10 minutes then fold in stiffly beaten egg white. Use immediately.
• Wash and dry eggplant. I place paper towels over and under the eggplant to soak up all the liquid. Just keep changing them for a while until they quit getting really wet.
• Cut into 1/4 inch slices and spread out on trays.
• Sprinkle with salt and leave for 1 hour.
• Pat dry with paper towels and coat with flour or fritter batter. I like the fritter batter.
• Shallow fry in hot oil until golden brown and crisp on each side - 10 minutes in all.
• Drain on paper towel and serve hot with Garlic Sauce (optional).

ULTIMATE FRIED EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE)

Steps:

• Beat egg in a small bowl along with 1/2 teaspoon salt.
• Put cornstarch in a second small bowl and breadcrumbs in a third.
• Cut eggplant crosswise into slices approximately 1/2-inch thick.
• (If you prefer thinner slices, that will work fine, but you may need additional cornstarch and bread crumbs to get everything coated well.) Dredge each slice in cornstarch, coating thoroughly on both sides.
• Tap gently against the side of the bowl to knock off excess.
• Dip eggplant in beaten egg, coating each side lightly but thoroughly.
• Dredge in crumbs, pressing firmly enough that the breading sticks.
• Allow coated eggplant to dry briefly on paper towels.
• Pour enough oil in a heavy skillet to cover slices about halfway.
• Heat to 375 degrees.
• Fry eggplant for one to two minutes on each side, until golden brown.
• Drain on paper towels and sprinkle lightly with salt.

EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) PATTIES OR EGGPLANT FRITTERS

Steps:

• Cut ends off of eggplants, cut in half length-wise and then into five pieces, length-wise.
• Cut across into 3/4" chunks.
• Steam eggplant chunks for 10 minutes and cool slightly.
• Heat oil in a large frying pan - you may mix vegetable and olive oil instead of using just olive oil.
• Squeeze liquid out of steamed pieces with your hands, keeping pieces from getting too mashed.
• Place bread crumbs (seasoned or unseasoned), parmesan cheese and seasonings into a large bowl and mix.
• You could use a clove or two of fresh garlic, sauteed in place of the garlic salt.
• Beat eggs in a small bowl and add to bread crumb mix along with eggplant pieces.
• Stir to mix well.
• Form patties of any size, but not exceeding an inch in thickness and place in frying pan.
• Cook for five minutes on each side.
• Remove to a towel-lined plate to drain.
• Place in a warm oven if you are not ready to serve them immediately.

SPICY FRIED EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) IN CORNMEAL

Steps:

• Cut eggplant into 1cm/ 1/2 inch slices.
• Sprinkle lightly with salt and sit in colander for 30 minutes and allow to drain.
• Wipe slices dry on paper towels.
• Beat egg lightly in bowl with milk, spice and seasoning.
• Spread cornmeal on a plate.
• Heat oil for frying.
• Dip each piece of eggplant in egg mixture and allow excess to drip off, dip the slice in the cornmeal and shallow or deep fry until golden brown.
• Drain on kitchen paper and keep warm until all slices are fried.
• Serve hot.