Fried Eggplant

Fried Eggplant Slices are a simple and rustic dish from my childhood. This is babushka's recipe, pan fried and crispy, served with a generous dollop of fresh dill and sour cream.

Eggplant is kind of a funny vegetable, with many people not sure what to do with it. Many cultures have eggplant recipes, from Greek Moussaka to Chinese Stir Fry, it's called Aubergine in the UK. Eggplant is healthy, full of vitamins, low GI, cholesterol free, low carbs and low in calories. (However frying them does add a few calories) 🤣

Why You'll Love This Recipe

• Versatile - fried eggplant slices can be served as a side dish, added to sandwiches, or even served for lunch, as a snack, an appetizer or with your favorite dip.
• Simple Ingredients - you probably have all of the ingredients in your pantry already (except the eggplant)
• Quick Preparation - an easy dish even for beginners, you can whip up a batch in no time.
• Babushka Approved - if you've ever met a babushka, you don't quibble about her recipe. If she says it's good, you know its good!

Ingredients

• Eggplant - large eggplant or 2 smaller eggplants
• Eggs - free range is always best
• Seasoning - salt and pepper
• Flour - all purpose flour, on a plate
• Oil - for frying, a neutral vegetable or sunflower oil is best
• Sauce - sour cream and fresh chopped dill

Frying Eggplant Instructions

1. Prepare - slice the eggplant into ¼ inch round slices.
2. Beat Eggs - using a whisk, beat eggs together with salt and pepper.
3. Heat Frypan - add 6 tablespoons of oil into the frying pan until hot (ready to fry the eggplant in small batches).
4. Dip - place eggplant into the beaten eggs and shake off excess. Dredge in flour and shake off the excess.
5. Fry - add eggplant to the hot frying pan to cook in a single layer (don't overcrowd). Flip and fry until eggplant slices are golden. Add more oil as needed.
6. Make Sauce - mix together sour cream and fresh dill and generously dollop over the fried eggplant.

Babushka's Fried Eggplant

This Fried Eggplant recipe is eggplant cooked in one of its purest forms. There are no strong flavors the accompany the eggplant, just flour, salt and egg. The flavors complement this eggplant recipe is a sour cream sauce. It's simply fresh dill mixed with smetana (sour cream).

The sour cream adds a cool smoothness, while the dill fills the flavor void from the neutral eggplant. A simple rustic eggplant recipe I call my Russian Fried Eggplant (Жареные баклажаны) because of the sour cream and dill!

Recipe Tips and FAQs

• Salt the Eggplant - season the eggplant slices with salt (either in a bowl or on a large tray). Let them sit for 30 minutes until the juices are released (and the bitterness). Pat dry before dipping and dredging in egg and flour.
• Make Stations - line up the flour on a plate, right beside a bowl of beaten eggs. This makes it easy to dip, dip and shake before frying
• Bake It - for a healthier version, bake the eggplant slices on an oven tray or air fryer. Drizzle with olive oil and bake at 400°F (200°C) until golden and crispy.
• Use Panko - instead of flour, substitute with Japanese breadcrumbs or Panko for a crispy finish
• Uniform Slices - when cutting eggplant, try to slice them the same thickness, to ensure that they cook at the same rate

Fried Eggplant Variations

• Italian Eggplant Parmesan - coat the eggplant in mixed Panko, parmesan cheese and basil
• Greek Eggplant - when fried eggplant, drizzle with honey and Rosemary or Oregano
• Italian Stack - make an eggplant: layer 2 fried eggplants with fried bocconcini, drizzle with balsamic vinegar (or balsamic glaze)
• Mediterranean Eggplants - serve fried eggplants with goat cheese and walnuts
• Beer Batter - dip eggplant slices in a beer batter, before deep frying them for a crispy finish
• Saucy - drizzle with homemade Pesto Mayo

Can I Fry Eggplants in Advance?

No. Fried Eggplants taste best when served immediately. If you wait too long before serving, they get soggy and rubbery, and aren't as enjoyable.

Storage and Reheating

• Storage - place in an airtight container and keep refrigerated for up to 3 days
• Reheating - reheat in air fryer or oven until heated through

Side Dish Recipes You'll Love

• Russian Eggplant Caviar
• Garlic Butter Green Beans
• Easy Grilled Zucchini
• Garlic Parmesan Broccoli
• Chinese Snow Peas
• Oven Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

Savor the flavors of this crispy, golden, pan fried eggplant recipe. 🍆🍴 Perfect for a delightful lunch, dinner, side dish or a snack! Bon Appetit! Приятного аппетита!

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