Fried Eggplant Salad Recipes

Steps:

• Preheat a fryer to 375 degrees F.
• In separate shallow dishes add flour, egg and bread crumbs. Coat the eggplant cubes in the flour, then the egg and finally through the bread crumbs. Carefully add the cubes to the fryer and fry until crisp and golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the fryer to a paper towel lined platter to drain. Sprinkle with salt and set aside.
• Vinaigrette:
• In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, garlic and mustard. Slowly whisk in the olive oil to combine and emulsify. Add the herbs, salt and pepper. Set aside to dress salad.
• In a large serving bowl, toss together the greens, herbs, cheese, tomatoes and onion.
• Toss with the desired amount of dressing, top with eggplant croutons and serve.

Steps:

• Wash the eggplants and cut off the ends.
• Pare the skin off of the eggplants in strips to leave a striped effect.
• Cut each eggplant into 1/4" slices and set aside.
• In a mixing bowl, blend the beaten eggs with the spices. Add the eggplant and mix well so the eggplant slices are coated.
• In a large frying pan, pour enough oil to coat the bottom.
• Heat the oil for several minutes over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, cook the eggplant in batches, turning over several times, until golden brown.
• Transfer to a plate lined with paper towels to drain.
• Serve warm or at room temperature.

Steps:

• Preheat a fryer to 375 degrees F.
• In separate shallow dishes add flour, egg and bread crumbs. Coat the eggplant cubes in the flour, then the egg and finally through the bread crumbs. Carefully add the cubes to the fryer and fry until crisp and golden brown, about 2 to 3 minutes. Remove from the fryer to a paper towel lined platter to drain. Sprinkle with salt and set aside.
• Vinaigrette:
• In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, garlic and mustard. Slowly whisk in the olive oil to combine and emulsify. Add the herbs, salt and pepper. Set aside to dress salad.
• In a large serving bowl, toss together the greens, herbs, cheese, tomatoes and onion.
• Toss with the desired amount of dressing, top with eggplant croutons and serve.

Steps:

• Lay out eggplant pieces on a baking sheet, sprinkle generously with salt and set aside for 1 hour. Wipe off salt with a paper towel and pat eggplant dry.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet and place eggplant pieces in 1 layer into the skillet in batches. Pan-fry, individually turning the pieces with a fork, until eggplant is cooked through, 10 to 15 minutes. Repeat with remaining eggplant pieces. Allow to cool, about 20 minutes.
• Combine remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, vinegar, and pepper in a small bowl. Mix capers into the dressing.
• Mix eggplants, cherry tomatoes, and dressing in a bowl.

Steps:

• Peel 2 small eggplants and cut into 1/4-inch-thick rounds. Put 1 cup flour in a shallow bowl, beat 4 eggs in another bowl and put 1 cup breadcrumbs in another. Coat the eggplant in flour, then egg (let any excess drip off), then breadcrumbs. Heat 1/4 inch of vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Fry the eggplant in batches until golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes per side (add more oil if necessary). Drain on a rack and sprinkle with salt.

Steps:

• Purée cilantro, parsley, garlic, half of chiles, and 1/4 cup olive oil in a blender or food processor until very smooth; season herb oil with salt and set aside.
• Whisk yogurt, lemon juice, and remaining 1/4 cup olive oil in a small bowl; season with salt and set yogurt sauce aside.
• Place eggplants in a colander set in the sink; season with 3/4 teaspoon salt. Let sit 30 minutes to drain, then pat dry.
• Fit a medium pot with thermometer; pour in vegetable oil to measure 2". Heat over medium-high heat until thermometer registers 375°.
• Working in batches and returning oil to 375° between batches, fry eggplants, turning often, until golden brown and tender, about 5 minutes. Using a slotted spoon, transfer eggplants to paper towels to drain; season with salt. Let cool.
• Combine eggplants in a large bowl with tomatoes, cucumbers, and remaining chiles; drizzle with some reserved herb oil and toss to combine. Season salad with salt.
• Spoon reserved yogurt sauce onto a platter, top with salad, and drizzle with more herb oil.
• Do ahead: Herb oil and yogurt sauce can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill separately.

Steps:

• Whisk shallot, vinegar, 1/4 teaspoon sumac, and cumin in small bowl. Gradually whisk in 4 tablespoons oil. Season dressing with salt and pepper. Combine herbs and greens in large bowl. (Dressing and salad can be made 2 hours ahead. Cover separately and chill.)
• Using vegetable peeler, remove eggplant peel in vertical strips every 1 to 1 1/2 inches, making striped pattern. Cut eggplants crosswise into 1/3-inch-thick rounds. Place rounds in large colander. Sprinkle generously with kosher salt and toss to coat evenly. Let stand until rounds soften and release moisture, tossing occasionally, about 1 hour. Rinse rounds, 1 at a time, and press to release excess moisture. Arrange rounds in single layer on several thicknesses of paper towels. Pat dry with additional towels.
• Heat 3 tablespoons oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Working in batches, fry eggplant until golden and soft, adding more oil by tablespoonfuls as needed, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer eggplant to paper towels to drain.
• Overlap eggplant rounds on platter. Sprinkle with pepper and more sumac, if desired. Toss herbs and greens with dressing; season to taste with salt and pepper. Mound salad atop eggplant. Garnish with nasturtium blossoms, if desired, and serve.
• *A fruity and acidic seasoning powder made from ground dried sumac berries. It is available at Middle Eastern markets and by mail from Adriana's Caravan (adrianascaravan.com).