topic Re: Question about eggplant in Recipes

Question about eggplant

Icegoddess — Tue, 03 Oct 2017 15:04:30 GMT

I'm just wondering if there is a particular reason eggplant lasagne recipes bread and cook the eggplant before assembling the lasagne. I have the KA sheet cutter attachment and was thinking about doing an eggplant lasagne. Since the eggplant is sliced thin, wouldn't it be ok to assemble and cook for 30 or so minutes?

Re: Question about eggplant

ciao_bella — Tue, 03 Oct 2017 15:18:08 GMT

@Icegoddess I'm Italian through and through and, I don't like all the breading when I make eggplant parmesan. Here's what I do, so you may want to do the same in your eggplant lasagna.

I cut the eggplant on a manodine slicer so the slices are all the same size (about 1/8 inch slices). I used the spray can of olive oil and get a big cookie sheet or two of them and layer the eggplant slices on the pan but make sure to spray the eggplant on both sides with the olive oil spray. Then put in a HOT preheated oven 440 degrees for 9-10 minutes on each side. Then take the eggplant out and use in your lasagna or eggplant parm. It's delicious and you won't miss any of the breading, which I think makes the meal very heavy and dense tasting.

Re: Question about eggplant

Peaches McPhee — Tue, 03 Oct 2017 15:34:04 GMT

I've made it both ways (pre-cooked eggplant vs. raw), and found it came out fine both ways. I have not pre-cooked the eggplant since.

Re: Question about eggplant

cookie16 — Tue, 03 Oct 2017 16:02:00 GMT

@ciao_bella, I like your process of not breading and frying the eggplant. Do you peel your eggplant, some do some don't - I do. Your system seems quicker and easier and I will certainly try it. Thank you.

Re: Question about eggplant

LindaSal — Tue, 03 Oct 2017 16:16:55 GMT

That all sounds delicous . My favorite thing in the summertime is to thickly cut slices of eggplant and I remove the peel. Cook it on the grill on foil with olive oil and salt and pepper. Put it on a bulky roll with a little pasta sauce and cheese. So good!!!

Re: Question about eggplant

Glittergal — Tue, 03 Oct 2017 18:25:19 GMT

I slice it thin (between 1/4 and about 1/8") and assemble it raw. You have to cover it with foil and bake it for 50-60 minutes. 20 minutes won't be enough time to soften it.

Re: Question about eggplant

jackthebear — Tue, 03 Oct 2017 18:31:18 GMT

@Icegoddess wrote:
I'm just wondering if there is a particular reason eggplant lasagne recipes bread and cook the eggplant before assembling the lasagne. I have the KA sheet cutter attachment and was thinking about doing an eggplant lasagne. Since the eggplant is sliced thin, wouldn't it be ok to assemble and cook for 30 or so minutes?

no reason to bread the eggplant
but I think it needs to be cooked first or partially
and salted to get out the water, so it doesnt get the lasagna too watery when cooking

slice, salt, then pat dry,
bake

Re: Question about eggplant

Icegoddess — Tue, 03 Oct 2017 18:44:24 GMT

@Glittergal wrote:
I slice it thin (between 1/4 and about 1/8") and assemble it raw. You have to cover it with foil and bake it for 50-60 minutes. 20 minutes won't be enough time to soften it.

@Glittergal, thanks. The recipes I have seen cook for about an hour, but they are sliced fairly thickly (but also cooked some before assembling). I was thinking that it should cook quicker since I will be using the Kitchenaid sheet cutter which slices very thinly. I can add more time though if needed.

Re: Question about eggplant

January121 — Tue, 03 Oct 2017 22:25:59 GMT

Just my preference but, I like my eggplant breaded & fried before I assemble my eggplant lasagna... that's the only way I enjoy it .... 😊😊

Re: Question about eggplant

toria — Tue, 03 Oct 2017 23:50:23 GMT

You can also bread eggplant slices and bake in the oven then make the eggplant dish. Put a little olive oil on it. It does not soak up all the oil like the fried eggplant.

Re: Question about eggplant

GCR18 — Wed, 04 Oct 2017 02:28:59 GMT

@toria wrote:
You can also bread eggplant slices and bake in the oven then make the eggplant dish. Put a little olive oil on it. It does not soak up all the oil like the fried eggplant.

That's how I've made it.k

I've also cheated and bought breaded eggplant pieces in the frozen section at trader joe and cooked them in the air fryer. 😳