Eggplant has lengthy been a staple in vegetarian delicacies. Its satisfying texture and memorable skill to soak up different flavors makes it an ideal canvas for artistic within the kitchen. We’ve all heard of eggplant parmesan, however what about Moroccan eggplant stew (or Zaalouk)? Whether or not your weight loss plan is totally meat-free otherwise you’re simply incorporating extra plant-based meals into your weekly menu, there’s a world of prospects on the subject of curating filling and wholesome vegetarian eggplant recipes.
In the event you’re craving Mediterranean flavors, spicy Asian-inspired dishes, or maybe a fusion of each cuisines, now we have you lined. With this stellar fruit as our guiding star (that’s proper, eggplant’s a fruit!), we’ve compiled a listing of 20 vegetarian eggplant recipes that unlock its true potential.
Featured Picture by Michelle Nash.
20 Vegetarian Eggplant Recipes to Fulfill Each Palate
Ratatouille-Type Roasted Vegetable Pasta
Why We Love It: Whereas ratatouille has been a preferred dish in French delicacies because the 1700s, I’ve discovered that only a few individuals truly know what it consists of. Scrumptious bell peppers, zucchini—and sure, eggplant—comprise the right recipe to transition from summer season to fall. It additionally provide you with an important excuse to cozy up with a scrumptious bowl of pasta. (Who wouldn’t get pleasure from that?)
Hero Ingredient: Fireplace-roasted tomatoes kick up the warmth.
Wholesome Flatbread Pizza with Eggplant and Ricotta
Why We Love It: The right summer season dinner is right here! Apart from the eggplant, you seemingly have the components to create this scrumptious flatbread in your fridge or pantry. Any kind of pizza crust or pre-bought flatbread will work for this recipe, however I’d go for Camille’s selfmade pizza dough!
Hero Ingredient: Ricotta is the best summer season cheese so as to add to your pizzas. It’s creamy, a little bit salty, and scrumptious unfold in a skinny layer or dolloped on prime.
PHOTO: Kristen Kilpatrick, Kristen Kilpatrick Pictures,Camille Kinds Studio, Valentines Day Recipes, Camille Kinds Bungalo, Austin Texas, Austin Texas studios, Austin Texas celebrities
Charred Caprese Stuffed Eggplants
Why We Love It: The Italians know what they’re doing—caprese is solely the most effective summery salad. Something made with tomatoes, basil, mozzarella, and balsamic glaze is a must have when the climate heats up. Tossing stuffed eggplants with these components is a filling and straightforward option to get pleasure from all of the caprese flavors as an appetizer or gentle important.
Hero Ingredient: A great high quality, aged balsamic vinegar is a recreation changer.
Skillet Eggplant Lasagna
Why We Love It: Eggplant parmesan may need to maneuver apart as the most effective use of eggplant in an Italian dish. This skillet eggplant lasagna is lighter than the traditional tacky consolation dish, and it may be achieved multi functional pan. Rating!
Hero Ingredient: Child spinach is an effective way so as to add a lift of inexperienced to your lasagna.
Smokey Eggplant Dip
Why We Love It: Diverging from entrees, this eggplant dip is extremely addictive and past easy to make. Your eggplant is roasted, charred, and thrown right into a meals processor with different scrumptious components. I’m speaking garlic, tahini, and creme fraiche that come collectively to enrich the eggplant’s smokey taste.
Hero Ingredient: Smokey spices like paprika and toasted cumin deliver the flavour.
Stuffed Roasted Eggplants
Why We Love It: I’m a giant fan of stuffed fruits and veggies of any type. There’s one thing about with the ability to mix all of your components and getting an enormous burst of taste with every chunk. Like baked potatoes, these eggplants may be personalized to your crowd’s needs with a wide range of scrumptious toppings.
Hero Ingredient: Pomegranate seeds add a deliciously surprising pop of taste and coloration.
Eggplant Caponata from Love and Lemons
Why We Love It: This recipe confirmed me the true great thing about crafting caponata. It’s made with roasted eggplant and a wide range of tangy, briny, and barely candy flavors and may be served over pasta or on freshly sliced crostini. I’d go as far as to name it the right summery snack.
Hero Ingredient: Capers deliver a little bit of briny taste. Don’t knock ’em till you’ve tried them!
Jamaican Jerk Grilled Eggplant from Minimalist Baker
Why We Love It: We’re huge followers of grilling absolutely anything—and eggplant isn’t any exception. After visiting Jamaica a number of years again, I grew to become obsessive about perfecting a jerk marinade full of all the greatest seasonings. Merely slice your eggplants into giant, steak-like items, and coat them in your tangy and spicy marinade earlier than popping them on the grill! Straightforward and scrumptious.
Hero Ingredient: This recipe features a scrumptious BBQ-based sauce that’ is an absolute’s essential for this savory grilled fruit.
Grilled Eggplant With Chimichurri from Foodie Crush
Why We Love It: Final yr, I took a cooking class the place I discovered learn how to create the right chimichurri, and to my shock, it’s truly fairly easy! Contemporary herbs like parsley and cilantro are key to creating the tastiest topping for your whole grilled delicacies.
Hero Ingredient: Cilantro is crucial for each this chimichurri’s signature taste and coloration.
Roasted Eggplant and Mushroom Curry from The Roasted Root
Why We Love It: In the event you’re on the sting about incorporating eggplant into your weight loss plan, begin with this recipe. As talked about, eggplant is nice at absorbing daring spices and flavors, making it among the best bases for curry-like dishes.
Hero Ingredient: Coconut milk provides this dish the right creaminess with out being overwhelmingly heavy.
Eggplant Pizza Bites from Primavera Kitchen
Why We Love It: Not solely are these pizza bites cute, however they’re additionally a plant-packed snack you may throw collectively in a pinch. In the event you’re searching for a twist on the beloved bagel bites, these are excellent for a light-weight, summery dinner.
Hero Ingredient: Do-it-yourself or store-bought will do, however remember to select an excellent high quality tomato sauce.
Zaalouk Toasts With Burrata from Pinch of Yum
Why We Love It: Right here it’s! The zaalouk recipe you’ve all been ready for. These toasts are a flavor-packed appetizer that mixes the standard Moroccan dish of zaalouk (cooked eggplants, tomatoes, and tons of spices) with creamy burrata cheese.
Hero Ingredient: I may go on and on about burrata cheese.
Baked Eggplant Parmesan from Gimme Some Oven
Why We Love It: The traditional Italian dish you’ve all been ready for. This baked eggplant parmesan showcases the wealthy and comforting flavors of eggplant, tomato sauce, and melted cheese whereas being fully vegetarian-friendly.
Hero Ingredient: Heaps and plenty of freshly grated parmesan is principally a requirement.
Fireplace Roasted Eggplant Dal from Filled with Crops
Why We Love It: In the event you’re a fan of warmth, this fire-roasted dal would possibly develop into one among your favourite consolation dishes. The Indian soup is created from easy components—akin to lentils, chickpeas, or beans—simmered in a wide range of spices and served over a starch of selection. It’s past cozy and precisely what I need to curl up with on the finish of a protracted day.
Hero Ingredient: High with a dollop of yogurt or coconut cream for a little bit added tang.
Thai Basil Eggplant from Operating on Actual Meals
Why We Love It: More often than not, throwing collectively an elaborate Thai dish doesn’t match into my schedule. However I at all times crave its comforting complexity. This stir-fried eggplant may be served with rice or noodles that complement its daring flavors—and it’s straightforward sufficient to throw collectively on a weeknight.
Hero Ingredient: Toss in your favourite baked tofu for an added little bit of protein.
Eggplant + Tofu with Candy-Sizzling Chili Glaze from Sprouted Kitchen
Why We Love It: Eggplant and tofu are a extremely underrated pairing. The sweet-hot chili glaze makes use of Asian-inspired components you seemingly have to your favourite staple dishes. Merely bake or fry the eggplant and tofu utilizing your technique of selection and stir-fry all the remaining components with the sauce in your wok or a big saucepan.
Hero Ingredient: Sizzling chili sauce is a staple ingredient in my home.
Butternut Squash and Eggplant Stir Fry from Downshiftology
Why We Love It: These stir-fried veggies make for the right appetizer or addition to any entree. With a easy sauce created from honey, balsamic vinegar, soy sauce, and sesame oil there’s no excuse for bland veggies on the desk.
Hero Ingredient: Honey provides your sauce physique and the right contact of sweetness.
Baingan Bharta from Rainbow Plant Life
Why We Love It: If the smokey eggplant dip sounded up your alley, then this baingan bharta will make your coronary heart (abdomen?) soar. Indian-inspired spices complement this silky and hearty dish, which pairs completely with vegan naan, roti, or basmati rice.
Hero Ingredient: Ginger is a key fragrant on this recipe. Go huge or go dwelling.
Roasted Eggplant Sandwiches with Vegan Arugula Walnut Pesto from This Savory Vegan
Why We Love It: Roasted eggplant is extremely versatile, however what’s easier than a sandwich? Paired with contemporary sourdough and arugula walnut pesto mayo (yum!), this eggplant sammie is something however boring.
Hero Ingredient: You’ll need to add the arugula walnut pesto mayo onto each sandwich to any extent further.
Vegan Roasted Eggplant Salad From Meals Dolls
Why We Love It: This vegetarian eggplant recipe is the right warm-weather dish to get pleasure from at your subsequent cookout or get-together. It’s nutritious and filling due to the protein and wholesome fat, and the tangy tahini dressing provides it the right creamy chunk.
Hero Ingredient: Tahini has the flexibility to raise absolutely anything—this dish included.