Smoky in flavor when roasted, this quail eggs in eggplant recipe makes a delicious and easy dinner. The roasted eggplant becomes creamy and smoky which pairs beautifully with the salty cheeses on top.
To make the quail eggs in eggplant, you slice the eggplant and roast it in the oven until it is tender. Then, you mash the centre of the eggplant slices slightly to create a bed for arranging the mozzarella cheese and quail eggs on top. The sprinkling of parmesan cheese takes the roasted eggplant over the top with its salty and nutty taste.
What are Quail Eggs in Eggplant?
This quail eggs in eggplant recipe is a sliced eggplant recipe in which the eggplant is roasted, topped with mozzarella, quail eggs, and cheese, and baked again in the oven. Quail eggs are significantly smaller compared to regular eggs, which allows them to sit on top of the eggplant slices easily. This recipe makes a delicious meatless main dish that is perfect for those on vegetarian diets or those who are simply looking to eat a little less meat.
Pro Tips
- Choose large Italian-style eggplant rather than thinner Asian eggplant as the slices will have more surface area to hold the cheese and eggs.
- Don’t skip the step of scoring the eggplant before roasting it as it will help it roast more evenly.
- If preferred, you could replace the mozzarella with another type of meltable cheese such as cheddar, Swiss, provolone, or gouda.
- Don’t overcook the eggplant. The eggplant should be soft but it shouldn’t be so tender that it falls apart.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Use Asian Eggplant Instead?
While you could use sliced Asian eggplant, this recipe works best with Italian eggplant which tends to be larger. This way, each slice of eggplant will have more surface area for holding the cheese and quail eggs.
Are Quail Eggs Better Than Chicken Eggs?
Quail eggs are quite nutritionally dense for their size, making them an extra nutritious option compared to chicken eggs. They have plenty of fat and protein, along with more vitamin B12 and double the amount of riboflavin and iron.
Can I Use Chicken Eggs Instead?
Yes, you could! Instead of using two quail eggs for each slice of eggplant, you could use one chicken egg. Just make sure that the eggplant slices are large enough that they will hold the egg.
How to Store Quail Eggs in Eggplant
The roasted eggplant slices and be stored in a sealed container in the fridge for up to 2 to 3 days before being warmed up in the oven or microwave. However, they are best served as soon as they are made, particularly if you enjoy runny egg yolks.
Ingredients
How to Make Quail Eggs in Eggplant
Cut the eggplants in half and use a knife to create a cross-hatch pattern on top.
Cut the eggplants in half and use a knife to create a cross-hatch pattern on top.
Arrange them in a parchment-lined baking pan, and drizzle them with olive oil and season them with salt and pepper. Bake them in a 380 F (190 C) oven for 20 minutes.
Arrange them in a parchment-lined baking pan, and drizzle them with olive oil and season them with salt and pepper. Bake them in a 380 F (190 C) oven for 20 minutes.
Mash the eggplant filling with a fork and sprinkle them with the mozzarella cheese.
Mash the eggplant filling with a fork and sprinkle them with the mozzarella cheese.
Top each one with 2 eggs and sprinkle the parmesan cheese on top. Bake them for 15 minutes more.
Top each one with 2 eggs and sprinkle the parmesan cheese on top. Bake them for 15 minutes more.
Serve and enjoy!
Serve and enjoy!
;Resize,width=767;)
