If you are looking for new ways to use up eggplant, consider trying these eggplant fans, which involves cutting a whole eggplant into strips so that it fans out. The result is a dish that can be served as an appetizer or side dish, and is crispy and has the signature smoky flavor of eggplant.
Making these eggplant fans is incredibly easy; you begin by cutting the eggplant into strips while keeping each strip attached to the top so that they fan out easily. Then, the eggplant soaks in salt water to remove excess moisture before being coated in egg and cornstarch, followed by a seasoned breadcrumb mixture. Once fried in oil, the eggplant can then be served with a dipping sauce like marinara or a chipotle aioli.
What are Eggplant Fans?
Eggplant fans are a dish that involves cutting eggplant so that it fans out for an attractive presentation. Roasted or deep-fried, eggplant fans can include different kinds of seasonings and coating, or even be stuffed with tomatoes and cheese. This version involves coating the eggplant in a mixture of breadcrumbs, pepper, and mixed herbs before deep frying them in hot oil.
Pro Tips
- When cutting the eggplant into strips, make sure that you don’t cut them all the way through the top as you want the strips to still hold together.
- Large Italian-style eggplants are best for this recipe as Asian-style eggplants tend to be longer and thinner.
- Don’t skip the step of soaking the eggplant in salt water. This will help pull some of the excess moisture out of the eggplant and reduce its bitterness.
- Use an instant-read thermometer to ensure the oil is heated to a hot enough temperature. The ideal temperature is somewhere between 350 F to 375 F (177 C to 190 C).
- Drain the fried eggplant on a paper towel lined plate to remove excess oil before serving.
Frequently Asked Questions
What Type of Eggplant Should Be Used for Eggplant Fans?
Choose Italian-style eggplant which is fatter and often shorter than Asian-style eggplant. While you certainly could use Asian eggplant in a pinch, they tend to be longer and thinner which would make them more awkward to cut into the design needed for this recipe.
Why is it Important to Soak Eggplant in Salt Water?
Soaking eggplant in salt water is beneficial as it can help reduce its bitter flavor. Additionally, the salt in the water will help pull excess moisture out of the eggplant, resulting in a better textured eggplant dish.
What Can I Serve With Eggplant Fans?
While the eggplant fans can be served on their own as they are, you could serve them with a dipping sauce as well, such as a marinara. They would also be great with a spicier sauce like a chipotle aioli if you enjoy your eggplant with some spice.
How to Store Eggplant Fans
If you have leftover eggplant fans, you can store them in a sealed container in the fridge where they should keep for up to 3 to 4 days.
Ingredients
How to Make Fried Eggplant Fans Fries
Peel the eggplants. Slice through the eggplants without cutting through the stems.
Peel the eggplants. Slice through the eggplants without cutting through the stems.
Cut the eggplant in the other direction so they look like strips that are attached by the stem. Mix the salt with cold water in a bowl. Add the eggplants and allow them to soak for 20 minutes.
Cut the eggplant in the other direction so they look like strips that are attached by the stem. Mix the salt with cold water in a bowl. Add the eggplants and allow them to soak for 20 minutes.
In a bowl, whisk the eggs with the cornstarch. Pat the eggplant dry.
In a bowl, whisk the eggs with the cornstarch. Pat the eggplant dry.
Dip the eggplant in the egg mixture, ensuring that all of the strips are well coated.
Dip the eggplant in the egg mixture, ensuring that all of the strips are well coated.
Mix the breadcrumbs with the black pepper and herbs in a bowl before moving it to a shallow dish. Coat the eggplant in the breadcrumb mixture until evenly coated.
Mix the breadcrumbs with the black pepper and herbs in a bowl before moving it to a shallow dish. Coat the eggplant in the breadcrumb mixture until evenly coated.
Fry the eggplant in hot oil for 10 minutes.
Fry the eggplant in hot oil for 10 minutes.
Remove and serve immediately!
Remove and serve immediately!
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