berenjenas fritas (eggplant)

[vJosie]

This is a very simple recipe I got from a Dominican friend. He thinks it's funny that I love it so much because in DR, it's considered "poor people food". Just an added bonus, in my opinion, that it's cheap to make!!!!




Slice eggplant in rounds. (I prefer the japanese eggplant which is long and thin) Pour oil in skillet on medium heat. Beat two egg whites until stiff. Add salt and pepper to taste. Coat the eggplant slices in the egg white and fry until golden on both sides.

[not2late]

Re: berenjenas fritas (eggplant)

Poor people's food is sometimes tastier than rich people's food, imo.

I'm gonna try this recipe because it looks easy and because I l.o.v.e. eggplant!!!!!!

[ValidRouge]

Re: berenjenas fritas (eggplant)

Josie, this looks great!

Another 'poor people food' from earlier times that I *LOVE* is "Swamp Cabbage". Otherwise known as "Heart of Palm". Back in the Depression, people of the south harvested and ate the hearts of the Cabbage Palm trees. Cooked with bacon and onion or cooked with tomatoes are the common ways of serving it. Boy, is that stuff good. Now its served in fancy restaurants and costs a fortune in the stores.

[dreamof145]

Re: berenjenas fritas (eggplant)

I eat this often. I add parm. cheese over mine and I think it is delicious!! I don't know where my mom got this dish...but I got it from her.

[not2late]

Re: berenjenas fritas (eggplant)

My brain is working overtime on this recipe....Does the egg coating become "crunchy"?

[MotherOfGizmo]

Re: berenjenas fritas (eggplant)

I also make this but with added parmesean for "breading" I do the same thing with zucchini, green tomatos, cauliflower and mushrooms! The Mushrooms are great dipped in a creamy horseradish sauce. Now I'm hungry darn it!

[vJosie]

Re: berenjenas fritas (eggplant)

No, the egg doesn't become crunchy, but I don't know how I would describe the texture. It's not eggy either. You'll just have to try it! I wonder what other veggies would be good cooked like this...

I know in Mexico I used to eat chiles rellenos - cheese-stuffed peppers that are fried the same way. They are absolutely delish!!!! They're a bit more trouble to make (you have to blister the pepper and put it in a bag then peel it...blah blah blah) but if you see one in a Mexican restaurant, it is a must try food!

[not2late]

Re: berenjenas fritas (eggplant)

I went to the Farmer's market and bought some Japanese eggplants (because I like them better than the big kind)

I tried this recipe. Not only is it easy-peasy, but it's wonderful!

[higgies]

Re: berenjenas fritas (eggplant)

I just figured out what I'm doing with my eggplant tonight!! I'll let you know how it turns out.

Think I need olive oil or veggie oil?

[not2late]

Re: berenjenas fritas (eggplant)

I wouldn't use extra virgin olive oil to fry with (just because it tastes better on salads!) But you can use canola or peanut.

[ValidRouge]

Re: berenjenas fritas (eggplant)

Megs, how do you get the stiff eggwhites to stay on the eggplant? Do you kind of "frost" them with the egg white?

[higgies]

Re: berenjenas fritas (eggplant)

The picture looks awesome...I hope it tastes as good as it looks....mine never get that dark...I wonder how long it takes to get them like that...

Yeah, I'm wondering how it "coats" it too. Plus, think I need more eggs for a whole eggplant? I'm full of questions...one more, how you think they'll keep in the fridge for tomorrow?

[not2late]

Re: berenjenas fritas (eggplant)

I used those chinese eggplants. So one eggwhite was able to coat slices of 1 eggplant.

I beat them until they were stiff. When you dunk it into the eggwhite, the whites cling to the eggplant flesh (not the skin, if you leave that on.) Anyhow, I did find you have to beat the whites again between batches because they kind of deflate.

The coating isn't crunchy like Josie said. But it is "crispy"---very light and airy. I don't really know how else to describe it. Oh, I also experimented with green tomatoes. If you slice them thin (about 1/8-1/4 thick), you can cook them the same way.

[MaggieBE]

Re: berenjenas fritas (eggplant)

Eggplant is a new food for me. I thought they were hollow inside like a bell pepper? I bought one at the store today.


It looks like this:

http://www.bfeedme.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/04/Eggplant.jpg

I cannot imagine THAT turning out like anything in the photo. Confussed!

[Atkid]

Re: berenjenas fritas (eggplant)

Eggplant is a new food for me. I thought they were hollow inside like a bell pepper? I bought one at the store today.


It looks like this:

http://www.bfeedme.com/wp-content/up...4/Eggplant.jpg

I cannot imagine THAT turning out like anything in the photo. Confussed!

You have to peel it first and then slice it. After coating and frying it should look like the picture and taste wonderful. Eggplant is one of my favorite foods.