5 Easy Ways to Prepare Eggplant

5 Easy Ways to Prepare Eggplant (and Why You Should Be Eating It!) Are you starting to see why eggplant is so high on our list of favorite vegetables?

It’s no wonder why this long, cylindrical veggie is a popular ingredient in Indian, Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines.

It’s flavorful, healthy and versatile. And, let’s face it, it looks pretty legit, too.

In addition to its cosmopolitan reputation, another reason why we love this versatile veggie so much is because of its numerous health benefits.

In fact, research suggests that a diet rich in plant foods, such as eggplant, protects against heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and certain types of cancer.

So, with that in mind, we’re going to share some great ways to incorporate eggplant into your diet.

From preparing it at home to making it a part of your dinner party menu, read on to discover our top 5 tips for eating eggplant.

Make Eggplant Lasagna

Eggplant slices are a natural choice for the lasagna “meat” because, unlike regular ground beef, it doesn’t contain any nitrate-filled preservatives.

If you’re not into the idea of replacing traditional beef with a low-calorie, healthy and inexpensive vegetable, you can always substitute the slices for regular ground beef in your lasagna recipe.

You can also add a little eggplant flavoring to your homemade marinara sauce to make it taste a little more eggplant.

If you want a vegetarian lasagna recipe that can be veganized, we recommend our Eggplant and Chickpea Vegan Lasagna recipe.

Cook Eggplant into Egg Bowls

Did you know you can use eggplant in place of meat in egg dishes?

Eggplant lends itself perfectly to being shredded, chopped, broiled or fried.

The versatile veggie can be used in sandwiches, wraps, burritos and more.

You can even use the leftover eggplant skin in place of breadcrumbs to make your own homemade egg roll wrappers!

We recommend using ripe eggplant that’s been exposed to air to softness for long enough for the skin to come off easily.

For even more eggplant recipes, check out our collection of 25 Brilliant Ways to Use Eggplant.

Top Eggplant Burgers

The best part about making your own eggplant burgers is that you can experiment with different spices to suit your individual taste.

Some people like a richer burger while others may prefer a lighter version.

To add extra flavor, try sprinkling your homemade burgers with a mixture of grated ginger, garlic powder, salt and ground black pepper.

If you prefer more of a traditional burger taste, ground beef is a great substitute.

Eggplant burgers can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the fridge for a few days.

They’re also freezer-friendly and can be defrosted and reheated in the microwave for a few seconds at a time to make them taste fresh again.

Bake Eggplant Fries

If you’ve been following our guide on how to make the perfect fries, you’re probably on your way to creating the perfect hands-down snack.

Eggplant fries are a great alternative to traditional potato fries because of their high content of dietary fiber.

They’re also a good source of vitamins B6 and C, which can improve your immunity, prevent heart disease and promote healthy skin and nails.

If you prefer to eat your fries on the healthy side, opt to bake your eggplant fries instead of deep-frying them.

It takes less oil to bake them than it does to deep-fry them, meaning you can cut down on the amount of oil you use while maintaining the crispiness that makes eggplant fries so delicious.

Make Eggplant Edamame

If you love the crunchy texture of edamame and the nutritious value of soybeans but find those beans too bland and chalky to be enjoyable, try edamame instead.

The veggie is often served in a salt-based sauce or “edamame dipping sauce,” which can be purchased at most supermarkets.

You can make your own homemade dipping sauce by simply mixing together a few ingredients, such as sesame oil, soy sauce and sugar.

Eggplant pairs well with the slightly sweet flavor of the soybeans, making it a great choice for a healthy and low-calorie swap in your next Asian dish.

Try an Egg Salad Sandwich

Egg salad is a staple at picnics, barbecues and stadium events.

It’s extremely easy to make and can be made vegetarian by substituting the mayo with Vegenaise (available at most supermarkets), or with mustard.

For a healthier sandwich, order your egg salad on whole-grain bread and top it with vegetables instead of bread.

You can also use fried eggplant slices as bread to make this a vegetarian egg salad sandwich.

You can also add a little extra protein to your egg salad by mixing in 1-2 teaspoons of instant vegan protein powder.

Conclusion

It’s no secret that eggplant is one of the best vegetables for health and weight loss.

Simply put, it’s low in calories, fat-free and loaded with fiber.

And don’t forget about its impressive ability to protect you from heart disease and certain forms of cancer.

The only question left is: what are you waiting for? Get yourself a few eggplants and start cooking!

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