How To Cook Eggplant On Stove Top? | A Step-by-Step Guide

Cooking eggplant can be intimidating for those who have never attempted it before, but trust us – doing so on your stovetop is not as tricky as you might think. Whether you’re looking to make a hearty side dish or a delicious main course, learning how to prepare eggplant on the stove can open up an entirely new set of recipes that are sure to become quickly essential in your cooking routine. In this blog post, we’ll show you step-by-step instructions for how to cook eggplant on stove top with ease and confidence – so let’s get started.

Overview Of Eggplant

What Is Eggplant?

Eggplant is a vegetable that comes in a variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. It is technically classified as a fruit, but it’s most often used as a vegetable in cooking. Eggplant has an earthy flavor with a creamy texture when cooked properly. It is an excellent source of vitamins A and C and can be served as either a main dish or a side.

What Are Eggplant Nutrient Facts?

Eggplant is a good source of fiber, and it’s also naturally low in calories and fat. It provides potassium, magnesium, manganese, phosphorus, zinc, iron, copper, selenium, folate, vitamin B6 and pantothenic acid.

What Are The Best Tools To Cook The Eggplant?

When it comes to learning how to cook eggplant on stove top, having a few essential tools at your disposal is key. Firstly, a sharp knife will allow you to precisely slice the eggplant, ensuring uniformity in your dish. A sturdy cutting board provides a stable surface for this task. Next, a non-stick pan will prevent the eggplant from sticking and help achieve a beautifully golden and crispy exterior. Lastly, a trusty wooden spoon will come in handy for gently stirring and flipping the eggplant slices as they cook, ensuring even browning and a delicious result. By having these tools on hand, you’ll be well-equipped to prepare mouth-watering eggplant slices with ease and confidence.

How To Choose Good Eggplant?

When shopping for eggplant, look for ones that are firm and have smooth skin with no bruises or discoloration. If the eggplant feels heavy for its size, it is likely to be fresh and full of flavor. Additionally, make sure to use the eggplant within a couple of days of buying it as it tends to spoil quickly.

How To Cook Eggplant On Stove Top?

Now let’s get into the main event: how to cook eggplant on stove top . This method is one of the easiest, and it can be used in a variety of recipes.

Prep The Eggplant

The first step is to prep your eggplant for cooking. Wash it under running water and then cut off both ends. Slice the eggplant into discs, cubes, or strips depending on how you plan to use it in your recipe.

Heat Your Pan

Heat a large non-stick pan over medium heat. Once it is hot enough, add 2-3 tablespoons of olive oil (or other cooking oil) and spread it evenly across the surface of the pan.

Add The Eggplant

Add the eggplant slices to the pan and let them cook for a few minutes on both sides until they are golden brown and slightly crispy. Depending on the size of your pieces, this will take about 4-5 minutes per side. Make sure to flip them as needed so that they don’t burn or stick to the pan.

Season And Serve

Once your eggplant is cooked, you can season it with salt and pepper (or other spices) as desired and serve it hot. You can also add additional ingredients such as garlic, herbs, or cheese for a more flavorful dish.

What Are Tips To Cook The Eggplant On The Stovetop?

Here are a few helpful tips to keep in mind when learning how to cook eggplant on stove top:

• Use a non-stick pan for easy flipping of the eggplant slices.
• Make sure that your eggplant pieces are all the same size so they cook evenly.
• Be generous with the oil and let it heat up before adding the eggplant.
• Keep an eye on your eggplant as it cooks and flip as needed so that it doesn’t burn or stick to the pan.
• Don’t be afraid to season your eggplant with whatever flavors you like.

How Long How To Cook Eggplant On Stove Top

Cooking eggplant on stove top can be a delicious way to prepare this versatile vegetable. But how long should you cook eggplant for the best results? The answer depends on a few factors, such as the size of the eggplant and your preferred cooking method. For example, larger eggplants may require more time than smaller ones, while boiling will require less time than sautéing.

What Affect Time To Cook Eggplant On Stove Top?

The size of the eggplant is a key factor in determining cooking time. A large eggplant needs much longer to cook than a small one because it takes more heat to reach its center and ensure that it’s properly cooked through. Similarly, thicker slices of eggplant need more time than thinner slices since they have more mass for the heat to penetrate.

How To Know If Eggplant Is Cooked?

To ensure your eggplant is cooked, use the “fork test.” Take a fork and press into the center of the eggplant. If it’s completely soft, that means it is cooked through. Another way to tell if an eggplant is done cooking is to cut it open and inspect inside; you should see light brown color throughout with no uncooked, white areas remaining.

What Are Side Dishes To Have With Eggplant?

Eggplant is a versatile vegetable that pairs well with a variety of side dishes. Some popular options include roasted potatoes, grilled vegetables, couscous or quinoa salads, steamed greens, and even hummus or tahini dip. Of course, the possibilities are endless – so feel free to experiment with whatever flavors you like best.

How To Store Eggplant?

Freshness is key when it comes to eggplant. To fully enjoy its flavors and textures, it’s best to use it promptly. However, if you need to store it for a short period, follow these steps: Place the eggplant in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Remember to inspect the eggplant regularly and discard if you notice any discoloration. By taking these precautions, you can savor the best of this versatile vegetable.

How To Serve Eggplant?

Eggplant is a great addition to many dishes, and it can be served in a variety of ways. One popular option is to bake it into an eggplant parmesan or ratatouille. It can also be grilled or stuffed with other ingredients for a delicious meal. Eggplant can also be used as a side dish, either roasted or fried, and it goes great with rice or other grains.

Conclusion: How To Cook Eggplant On Stove Top?

Cooking eggplant on the stovetop is a quick and easy way to add delicious flavor and texture to any meal. With just a few simple steps, you can create a satisfying dish in no time at all. Start by prepping your eggplant, then heat up a non-stick pan with oil before adding the slices. Cook for 4-5 minutes per side, flipping as needed to avoid burning. Once the eggplant is golden brown and crispy, season with salt and pepper (or other desired flavors) and serve hot. With these tips at your disposal, you’ll be finding out how to cook eggplant on stove top in no time.

FAQs: Eggplant

Is it better to peel eggplant before frying?

Although the skin of a small, young eggplant is edible, it tends to become bitter as the eggplant grows larger or older, necessitating the need for peeling. When unsure about whether to peel eggplant before cooking, the answer is a resounding yes. Simply utilize a vegetable peeler or a paring knife to effortlessly remove the skin.

Is it safe to grill eggplant on gas stove?

If you own a gas range, you have the convenience of roasting the eggplant right on top. To make cleanup easier, consider placing a layer of foil on the gas range burner. As the eggplant roasts, it may release some liquid and leave behind charred bits and residue on the range.

Do I need to salt eggplant before frying?

Salting: The process of salting not only helps remove excess liquid and bitterness from eggplants but also enhances their creamy texture and rich flavor, particularly when frying them. Although today’s eggplants are bred for mildness, salting can still be beneficial for achieving optimal taste and texture. This salting method is applicable for eggplant slices, cubes, or planks.

Do you boil eggplant before frying?

No you shouldn’t. Eggplant contains a significant amount of water, therefore, it is important to extract some of the moisture before frying it

Should you wash eggplant before cooking?

While numerous recipes recommend salting and rinsing eggplants to remove any bitter juices, it’s worth noting that this step is unnecessary if you’re working with fresh eggplants.

How do you cook eggplant so it’s not slimy?

To prepare eggplant before cooking, give the cubed and sliced pieces a quick spin in the microwave. Place them in a single layer on a plate lined with a paper towel and pre-cook for approximately five minutes. This process helps to collapse the sponge-like structure of the eggplant, reducing its oil absorption when cooked on the stovetop.

Should you soak eggplant in water before frying?

What is the optimal soaking time for frying eggplant? To eliminate the bitter taste, it is recommended to soak a whole, large eggplant for at least two hours. If the eggplant has been cut into pieces, a soaking time of approximately 30 minutes is sufficient.

What happens when eggplant is not salted before cooking?

The unsalted fried eggplant had a firmer and slightly fibrous texture. Contrary to some claims, there was no difference in the amount of oil absorbed between salted and unsalted eggplant. Regardless of the salting process, eggplant tends to absorb a significant amount of oil. However, the texture difference became more noticeable with longer salting times.

Why is my fried eggplant bitter?

Eggplants that are old, overripe, or have been left out after harvest are more likely to have a bitter taste. To ensure a delicious dish, opt for eggplants that are heavy, shiny, and firm. Avoid those that appear off-colored or lack a bright, glossy hue. By choosing the right eggplants, you can enhance the flavor and quality of your recipes.

Does boiled eggplant taste good?

Raw eggplant offers a slightly bitter yet enjoyable taste accompanied by a spongy texture. However, upon cooking, its flavor mellows and becomes somewhat richer. Additionally, it transforms into a tender, creamy delight.

How do you remove toxins from eggplant?

Nevertheless, eggplants also possess a compound called solanine, which serves as their defense mechanism against fungi and insects. The distinctive bitter taste of eggplants can be attributed to this compound. The most frequently employed techniques to remove it include soaking the eggplants in water and vinegar, as well as the salt method.