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–+ servings
Spicy and Addictive Eggplant – vegetarian recipe
Stav Kogan

Spicy and Addictive Eggplant

Transform humble eggplant into a vibrant, spicy, and utterly addictive dish. Tender strips of eggplant are simmered then pan-fried with a fragrant paste of ginger, coriander, and lemon for a perfectly textured, deeply flavorful side dish.
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Servings: 4 serving
Calories: 185

Ingredients
  

  • 2 lbs (900 g / 31.7 oz) eggplant
  • 3 to 4 cups / 720 to 960 ml vegetable broth or water
  • 2 Tbs / 30 ml (1 fl oz) ground coriander
  • 1½ tsp / 7.5 ml (0.3 fl oz) salt
  • ½ tsp (2.5 ml / 0.1 fl oz) ground black pepper
  • ¼ tsp (1.25 ml / 0 fl oz) cayenne pepper, or to taste
  • 2 tsp (10 ml) peeled and minced fresh ginger
  • 3 Tbs / 45 ml (1.5 fl oz) fresh lemon juice
  • 3 Tbs / 45 ml (1.5 fl oz) butter or Ghee, or vegan butter
  • For Garnish
  • Chopped fresh cilantro coriander leaves or chives
  • Be careful not to over-simmer the eggplant in the first cooking step. You want it tender, not mushy, so it holds its shape during the final sauté.
  • Feel free to adjust the heat! Reduce the cayenne for a milder dish or add a finely chopped green chili along with the ginger for an extra kick.
  • To make this recipe fully vegan, simply substitute the butter or ghee with a neutral-flavored oil like avocado or coconut oil, or use your favorite vegan butter.
  • For a deeper flavor, toast the ground coriander in a dry pan for 30 seconds until fragrant before adding it to the spice paste.

Method
 

  1. Prepare the eggplant by peeling it completely.
  2. Slice it lengthwise into 1-inch / 2. 5 cm wide strips, about ½-inch / 1. 25 cm thick.
  3. Then, cut these long strips into bite-sized 2-inch / 5 cm pieces.
  4. In a medium saucepan, bring the vegetable broth or water to a simmer.
  5. Add the eggplant pieces and cook for about 15 minutes, or until they are just fork-tender but not falling apart.
  6. Drain the eggplant thoroughly in a colander and set aside.
  7. While the eggplant cooks, prepare your spice paste.
  8. In a small bowl, combine the ground coriander, salt, black pepper, cayenne pepper, minced ginger, and fresh lemon juice.
  9. Stir everything together until it forms a smooth, fragrant paste.
  10. Melt the butter or ghee in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
  11. Add the drained eggplant pieces and sauté for 5 minutes, tossing constantly to get a light golden color on all sides.
  12. Reduce the heat to medium, add the spice paste to the skillet, and continue to cook for 10 to 15 minutes.
  13. Stir frequently, ensuring each piece of eggplant is beautifully coated and the mixture becomes nearly dry.
  14. Once done, transfer it to a serving dish, garnish generously with fresh chopped cilantro or chives, and serve immediately.

Nutrition

Calories: 185kcalCarbohydrates: 18gProtein: 3gFat: 12g

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