Best Spiced Eggplant Recipes

SAUTEED SHRIMP WITH THAI SPICED EGGPLANT AND THAI RED CURRY SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large saute pan, over high heat combine the oil and butter. Saute the shrimp until they are just pink, about 3 to 4 minutes, and season with salt and pepper. To serve, place 1/4 cup of the Thai Spiced Eggplant in the center of a plate. Arrange 3 of the sauteed shrimp on top and nap with 1/4 cup of the sauce. Garnish with chiffonade of basil leaves.
• In a medium saucepan, over high heat, add the peanut oil and stir fry the ginger, lemon grass and galangal. Cook until glossy and aromatic, stirring constantly, about 2 minutes. Add the Thai chiles and stir-fry another 30 seconds. Add the cumin, paprika, red Thai curry paste and tomato. Cook another 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly. Deglaze the saucepan with coconut milk and bring mixture to a boil. Lower heat to a simmer, add the lime juice, fish sauce, lime leaves and basil. Allow to simmer for 10 minutes and reduce slightly.
• Season, to taste, with salt and sugar. Remove from heat and steep for 20 minutes. Strain and use as needed.
• Preheat a grill. With a fork, poke eggplant several times. Rub with 1 tablespoon of peanut oil. Grill until completely tender. Remove pulp from the charred skin and roughly chop the pulp.
• In a medium saute pan, heat the remaining 1 tablespoon peanut oil and butter. Over medium heat, saute the jalapeno, garlic, ginger, and onion until glossy and aromatic, about 2 minutes. Add the tomato and eggplant pulp. Stir until well blended. Add the sugar, cumin, and coriander. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper. Cook over low heat for about 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Taste and correct seasoning with salt and pepper. Turn off heat and stir in cilantro and Thai basil. Use as needed.

INDIAN-SPICED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• In a small bowl combine spices and in a measuring cup stir together water, sugar, and vinegar. Cut eggplant into 2-inch pieces.
• In a large heavy non-stick skillet heat butter over moderate heat until foam subsides and cook spices, stirring, until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add eggplant and salt and toss to coat with spice mixture. Stir vinegar mixture and add to eggplant mixture. Simmer mixture, covered, without stirring, 10 minutes, or until eggplant is just tender. Uncover skillet and cook eggplant mixture at a rapid simmer, without stirring, until liquid is almost evaporated and eggplant is slightly charred (but not burned) on bottom, about 15 minutes.
• Remove skillet from heat and let eggplant stand, covered, 5 minutes.
• Serve eggplant sprinkled with fresh coriander.

ROASTED EGGPLANT WITH SPICED CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 450 degrees and lightly oil two baking sheets (or use nonstick). Combine the 1/4 cup olive oil and the peanut oil. Brush eggplant slices on both sides with the mixture, then place on pans. Roast, flipping once, until golden brown on both sides, about 15 minutes total. Set aside.
• In a large skillet, heat the 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic, and cook, stirring, until soft and translucent, about 10 minutes. Add tomatoes, spices and molasses, and bring to a simmer. Add sugar, salt and pepper to taste. (The amount of sugar will depend on the tomatoes' sweetness; there should be a hint of sweetness in the mixture.) Simmer until slightly thickened, about 15 minutes. Add chickpeas and cook until thick, 5 to 10 minutes more. Stir in half the pine nuts and set aside.
• To serve, place a slice of eggplant on a platter and spoon tomato-chickpea mixture onto the wide end of the slice. Fold the narrower end of the slice over to cover the filling and place a mint leaf on top. Repeat with remaining slices and garnish with remaining pine nuts. Serve cold or at room temperature, topping each piece with a dollop of yogurt, if using.

SPICED EGGPLANT AND TOMATOES WITH RUNNY EGGS

Steps:

• Put eggplant in a colander in the sink and toss with 1 teaspoon salt. Let drain while preparing the nuts.
• In a small bowl, combine nuts, 1/4 teaspoon baharat and a large pinch of salt and pepper. Heat 1/2 tablespoon oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add pine nut mixture and cook, stirring frequently, until fragrant and toasted, 2 minutes. Pour nuts back into the small bowl and stir in lemon zest. Set aside for serving.
• Add 3 tablespoons oil to the skillet and heat over medium-high until oil thins out, about 20 seconds. Add enough of the eggplant to fit in one layer without overlapping. Cook eggplant until browned, stirring occasionally, about 7 minutes. Use a slotted spoon to transfer eggplant to a plate. Repeat with more oil and eggplant, taking care not to crowd the pan.
• When all the eggplant is browned, push the last batch still in the pan to one side. Drizzle the empty part of the pan with a tiny bit of oil and add garlic. Cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Return the rest of the browned eggplant back to the pan and stir well to incorporate garlic.
• Add tomatoes and remaining baharat, 1/2 teaspoon salt and a big pinch of pepper. Reduce heat to medium and simmer, stirring occasionally, until tomatoes and eggplant become stewy, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in herbs. Taste and add more salt, if needed.
• Make small hollows into the stewed eggplant with the back of a spoon. Gently crack an egg into each hollow. Season eggs with salt and pepper. Cover with a lid or piece of foil and cook on medium-low until the eggs are just set, but still soft, 4 to 7 minutes. Remove the lid, and garnish with the spiced nuts, more herbs and a squeeze of lemon. Serve with yogurt, hot sauce and more lemon wedges on the side.

SPICED SEARED EGGPLANT WITH PEARL COUSCOUS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine cinnamon, cumin, cayenne and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
• Heat a heavy pot (2 to 3 quarts) with a tight-fitting lid over medium until hot but not smoking. Add couscous and toast, stirring often, until golden and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Transfer toasted couscous to a bowl.
• Add oil to pot and raise heat to medium-high. When it shimmers, add eggplant, onion, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring often, until onions are softened and golden and the eggplant is browned and slightly shrunken, 8 to 10 minutes. Add garlic and stir just until fragrant.
• Add tomato paste and the prepared spice mixture and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Stir in toasted couscous, tomato and 1 1/2 cups water, cover, reduce the heat to low and simmer until the couscous has absorbed all the liquid, 8 to 12 minutes. Turn off the heat and let rest 2 minutes. Uncover, stir in paprika and parsley, then taste and adjust the seasoning with salt. Serve immediately and dollop with yogurt, if desired.

SPICED PEPPERS AND EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add garlic, coriander, cumin, and saffron, if using; cook, stirring often, until garlic is softened, about 4 minutes. Add sweet peppers and eggplants; season with salt and pepper. Cook, tossing occasionally, until vegetables are tender, 15-20 minutes. Remove from heat and add vinegar. Just before serving, add basil and toss to combine.
• DO AHEAD: Vegetables can be cooked 4 days ahead. Cover; chill. Bring to room temperature before adding basil and serving.

INDIAN SPICED EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE)

Steps:

• Preheat broiler.
• Trim ends off eggplant and cut into 1/4" thick rounds.
• Spray cookie sheet with cooking oil.
• Place eggplant on cookie sheet and spray with cooking oil.
• Broil eggplant until tender and browned, about 3-5 minutes per side. Set aside.
• In a small bowl, combine the first 7 spices. In a large frying pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add spice mixture and cook, stirring constantly, for about 30 seconds.
• Quickly add the onion and saute until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes.
• Add the tomato sauce or halved cherry tomatoes, molasses, garlic and vinegar. Cook the sauce, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper.
• Transfer eggplant to serving dish and pour sauce over. Top with chopped cilantro.

SPICED EGGPLANT INDIAN STYLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 325 degrees F (165 degrees C).
• Half eggplant(s) and bake for 20 minutes, or until tender. Using a potato masher or pastry blender, crush eggplant.
• Heat clarified butter in a medium skillet over medium heat; saute onions until translucent. Stir in tomatoes and eggplant; cook, stirring, until liquid evaporated. Remove from heat and sprinkle with coriander.

INDIAN-SPICED EGGPLANT & CAULIFLOWER STEW

Steps:

• Heat a Dutch oven over medium heat.
• Add curry powder, garam masala and mustard seeds and toast, stirring, until the spices begin to darken, about 1 minute.
• Transfer to a small bowl.
• Add oil, onion, garlic, ginger and salt to the pot and cook, stirring, until softened, 3 to 4 minutes.
• Stir in eggplant, cauliflower, tomatoes, chickpeas, water and the spices.
• Bring to a simmer.
• Cover, reduce heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the vegetables are tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Top each serving with optional dollop of yogurt; serve with basmatti rice & a loaf of 7 grain bread.
• **Garam masala is a flavorful, fragrant blend of dry-roasted ground spices. It's in the spice section of most supermarkets and specialty stores.

SMOKED SPICED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Peel and dice the onion; set aside in a mixing bowl. Using tongs, roast the eggplant directly on the burner of a gas stove over medium heat, turning often, until skin is completely blackened and the flesh is soft, about 10 minutes. Alternatively, prick a few holes in the eggplant (to vent steam) and roast it on a rimmed baking sheet in a 500 F oven for about 20 minutes.
• When eggplant is charred all over, set it aside until it is cool enough to handle. Then pull off skin with your fingers or a knife (discard the skin); finely chop the eggplant with a knife or pass it through a ricer. Set aside. Finely chop green chilies, including their seeds, and set aside.
• Add oil to a skillet or kadai over medium-high heat, followed by the onion. Cook until edges are brown, but there is still a bit of texture, about 15 minutes. Add ginger and stir; if the onion mixture is sticking to the pan, add a little water to deglaze it. Add garlic and stir; then add coriander, cumin, and cayenne, deglazing as needed with more water to prevent the spices from burning.
• Add eggplant to the pan and continue cooking, stirring well to combine thoroughly. Add salt to taste, ensuring that all the flavors are balanced. Add tomatoes and stir to combine; then add the desired amount of green chili, follow by cilantro. Season again with salt. Stir in garam masala, a squeeze of lemon juice, stir and serve.

INDIAN-SPICED CHICKEN, EGGPLANT, AND TOMATO SKEWERS

Steps:

• Whisk garlic, ginger, coconut milk, lime zest and juice, tomato paste, salt, turmeric, cayenne, and cardamom in a large bowl. Transfer half of marinade to another large bowl. Add chicken to 1 bowl of marinade; toss to coat. Add eggplant, onion, and tomatoes to the other bowl; toss to coat. Cover and chill at least 1 hour.
• Thread each ingredient onto its own set of skewers: divide chicken among 6 skewers, tomatoes among 4, eggplant among 3, and onion on 1.
• Prepare a grill or grill pan for high heat; generously oil grates. Grill skewers, turning often, until well charred and cooked through, about 5 minutes for tomatoes, 10 minutes for chicken, and 15 minutes for eggplant and onion.
• Just before serving, toast naan on grill until warmed through, about 2 minutes. Top grilled chicken and vegetables with cilantro and serve with naan, lime wedges, and yogurt alongside.
• Do Ahead
• Ingredients can be marinated 1 day ahead; cover and chill. Skewers can be assembled 1 day ahead; cover and chill.

INDIAN-SPICED EGGPLANT STACKS

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees with racks in top and center. Sprinkle eggplants generously with salt; arrange in a single layer on a wire rack set over a rimmed baking sheet. Let stand 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a skillet over medium-high, toast cumin seeds until dark brown and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Finely grind in a spice grinder, or crush with a mortar and pestle. Stir together with 2 teaspoons oil, garlic, ginger, and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
• Rinse eggplants; pat dry with paper towels. Brush baking sheet generously with oil. Brush eggplants on both sides with remaining oil; season lightly with salt. Arrange in a single layeron sheet and roast on center rack, flipping once, until tender and golden brown, 40 to 45 minutes. Spread about 1/2 teaspoon garlic-ginger mixture over each slice; roast 5 minutes more. Remove; adjust oven to broil.
• Divide yogurt among eggplant slices, spreading over tops. Top each with a tomato slice; season with salt. Broil on top rack until just beginning to brown, 1 to 2 minutes. Stack slices three-high, layering cilantro between each. Serve, garnished with more cilantro.

INDIAN EGGPLANT STEW WITH SPICED BASMATI RICE

Steps:

• For the Vegetables:.
• Heat a large soup pot over medium to high heat and add the ghee or olive oil. Add the onions and garlic, cumin seeds, mustard seeds, ginger, and hot pepper until the onions are translucent and the mustard seeds begin to pop.
• Add the eggplant and mix well so the spices and ghee are absorbed, the let it cook for 8 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add the bunch of fresh spinach. There is no need to cut off the stems since many of the vitamins are found there. You can put the spinach in without chopping and it will cook down.
• Cover the stew pot for a few minutes until it cooks down and you can fit the rest of the ingredients in the pot.
• Add the tomatoes, turmeric, and salt and cook above for about 10 minutes, until spinach is soft. Add the garbanzo beans, lemon juice, and sugar, and cook for about 5 more minutes. Serve over spiced basmati rice.
• For Spiced Basmati Rice:.
• Bring water to a rolling boil, then reduce heat to low. Add the rice, ghee, and spices and mix well. Cook for 25-30 minutes then remove from the heat. Let the cooked rice sit for 5 minutes and then fluff the rice with a fork. You can also use a rice cooker to make the spiced rice.

GRILLED EGGPLANT AND GREENS WITH SPICED YOGURT

Steps:

• Prepare grill for medium-high heat. Toss eggplant with turmeric and 2 tablespoons oil in a medium bowl; season with salt and pepper. Toss greens with 2 tablespoons oil in a large bowl; season with salt and pepper.
• Grill eggplant, turning often, until tender and charred in spots, 5-8 minutes; transfer to a large bowl.
• Grill greens, turning often, until lightly charred in spots, about 2 minutes; transfer to a cutting board and let cool slightly. Remove thick ribs and stems from greens and discard. Tear large leaves into large pieces; transfer to bowl with eggplant, add mint and 2 tablespoons oil, and toss to combine.
• Mix yogurt and garam masala in a small bowl; season with salt and pepper.
• Spoon yogurt onto a platter and top with eggplant, greens, and mint mixture. Drizzle with more oil and serve with lemon wedges.

MOROCCAN-SPICED EGGPLANT AND CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• Water saute the onion, garlic, and carrot for 5 minutes on medium high heat. Add the eggplant, red pepper, chickpeas, ginger and spices. Continue to saute (adding water if necessary) until eggplant is tender, 5-7 minutes. Add the tomato and parsley, reduce heat to low, and simmer covered 10 minutes, stirring occasionally.

SPICED SEARED EGGPLANT WITH PEARL COUSCOUS

Steps:

• In a small bowl, combine cinnamon, cumin, cayenne and 1/2 teaspoon salt.
• Heat a heavy pot (2 to 3 quarts) with a tight-fitting lid over medium until hot but not smoking. Add couscous and toast, stirring often, until golden and fragrant, about 3 minutes. Transfer toasted couscous to a bowl.
• Add oil to pot and raise heat to medium-high. When it shimmers, add eggplant, onion, 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper and cook, stirring often, until onions are softened and golden and the eggplant is browned and slightly shrunken, 8 to 10 minutes. Add garlic and stir just until fragrant.
• Add tomato paste and the prepared spice mixture and cook, stirring, 1 minute. Stir in toasted couscous, tomato and 1 1/2 cups water, cover, reduce the heat to low and simmer until the couscous has absorbed all the liquid, 8 to 12 minutes. Turn off the heat and let rest 2 minutes. Uncover, stir in paprika and parsley, then taste and adjust the seasoning with salt. Serve immediately and dollop with yogurt, if desired.

SMOKED SPICED EGGPLANT PUREE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Char over a gas flame, grill, or broil the eggplants until the skins are charred and blistered. Transfer to baking pan and roast for 30 minutes or until soft. Remove from oven and cool. Toast cumin and coriander seeds until aromatic and grind in a spice grinder (or toast spices already ground).
• Heat oil in a small skillet over moderate heat. Add onion and saute until tender. Add garlic and ginger and saute a few seconds to release the aroma. Add turmeric, ground toasted cumin and coriander and salt and saute another minute just to release the aroma.
• Cut stem ends of eggplants and peel skin. Set eggplant in food processor and puree until coarse. Add onion and spice mixture and puree. Transfer to serving bowl and stir in lime and yogurt and jalapeno. Right before serving dust eggplant puree with chopped cilantro and mint. Serve with toasted pita triangles or fresh vegetables or crackers.

SPICED EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) SALAD

Steps:

• Preheat the grill, brush the eggplant slices lightly with some of the oil and cook under a high heat, turning once, until golden. Cut into quarters.
• Mix together the remaining oil, vinegar, garlic, lemon juice, cumin and coriander; season to taste with salt and pepper; mix thoroughly; add the warm eggplant quarters, stir well and chill for at least 2 hours.
• Transfer the chilled eggplant mixture to a serving dish, and add the cucumber, tomatoes and olives; spoon the yoghurt on top, sprinkle with parsley and serve.

SPICED CODFISH WITH ROASTED EGGPLANT PUREE AND TOMATO ESSENCE WITH CURRY ONION RINGS

Steps:

• Eggplant Puree: Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Rub eggplants with olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste. Place on a baking sheet and roast in the oven until soft, about 20 to 25 minutes. Using a spoon, remove the flesh of the eggplants and put into the bowl of a food processor. Add the garlic, cilantro, lemon juice, tahini and 1/4 cup of the olive oil and process to a smooth consistency. Pass through a chinois into a bowl and season with salt and pepper.
• Tomato-Fennel Essence: Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook until soft. Add the fennel and cook for 2 minutes. Increase heat to high, add the wine and the tomato juice and cook until reduced by half. Add the parsley, lemon juice and season with salt and pepper.
• Codfish: Whisk together the harissa, lemon juice and olive oil in a small bowl. Place the cod in a medium shallow baking dish. Pour the marinade over and turn to coat. Cover and marinate in the refrigerator for 1 hour. Preheat broiler. Remove cod from marinade and season on both sides with salt and pepper and place on a baking sheet. Broil on each side for 3 to 4 minutes on each side.
• Curry Onion Rings: 2 cups flour 2 tablespoons Madras curry powder Salt 3 large onions, sliced thinly
• Combine flour, curry powder and salt in a bowl and mix well. Toss onions in the flour mixture. Fry until golden brown. Drain on a paper towel lined plate.

CRISPY FRIED SHAWARMA-SPICED EGGPLANT SLICES

Steps:

• Peel the eggplant and remove the stem end. Slice lengthwise, ( the long way) into slices between ¼ and ½ inch thick. You should get 8 slices per eggplant. Place the slices on a baking rack set over a rimmed baking sheet. Coat the eggplant with the 3 tablespoons of salt and set aside. In a shallow dish pie dish or bowl, mix the chickpea flour, flour, half of the shawarma spice mix, and the remaining 1 tablespoon salt. In a separate shallow pie dish or bowl, lightly beat the egg whites and water. Set next to the flour mixture dish. Place the panko breadcrumbs and remaining shawarma spice mix into another shallow pie dish or bowl and stir to combine. Set the panko mixture next to the egg mixture. Position the three plates near the stove. Line a large platter with paper towels and place it on the other side of the stove. Heat the oil in a large cast-iron skillet or deep, straight-sided saucepan and set over medium heat to 365°F to 375°F. While the oil is heating, wash the eggplant well, rinsing each piece in cold water to remove the salt and any brown liquid that has exuded. Place 2 moist eggplant slices in the flour mixture and coat evenly and completely, shaking off any excess. Dip each slice into the egg mixture and then into the panko mixture, making sure to coat completely. Carefully place the eggplant slices into the preheated oil, one at a time, without overcrowding the pan. Cook for about 2 minutes, or until the bottom is nicely browned, turn with tongs, and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until the other side is browned. Remove and drain them on the paper-towel-lined platter. Repeat with the remaining eggplant, working in batches of no more than 2 pieces at a time.