Cook It 5 Ways: Eggplant

Eggplant fritters make for a great tea time snack. Photo: India Food Network

You may have used eggplant or brinjal to make your favourite baingan bharta. But, there is much more to this veggie; from party dips to tea-time snacks, eggplant can be used to make a variety of dishes. As much as we love our traditional recipes, why not try something different with it?

Check these offbeat eggplant recipes that you can make in your kitchen.

Fried Eggplant Strips

This makes for a great appetiser for house parties. Start by cutting the eggplant into roundels and then cut it further into small strips. Then, beat an egg and coat the strips with it. Further coat the strips with breadcrumbs and some seasoning. Deep fry them until golden brown on the outside and serve it with a sauce. Yum!

Eggplant Lasagna

This lasagna tastes just as good as the original one, and is quite interesting. Start by slicing the eggplant into very thin slices. Take a baking tin and layer a few slices at the bottom. Pour in tomato sauce on top along with a few seasonings and grated cheese. Keep building the layers alternatively until the tin is full. Bake it in the oven at 180 degrees for about 10 minutes or until the cheese is melted and is slightly golden brown at the top. Garnish with a few basil leaves and it's ready to eat.

ALSO WATCH: How To Make Baba Ghanoush

Grilled Eggplant Tikkis

These pattices are great to eat as sandwiches and are super easy to make. First, grill the eggplant either in the oven or on the gas stove. Once grilled well, wait for it to cool and peel the skin. Next, mash it and add it to a bowl. Now add coriander, salt, green chilies, chopped onions, ground pepper, egg and bread crumbs. Mix this well. Scoop out small portions from the mix and shape into little discs. Coat them with flour, deep fry and serve.

Baba Ghanoush

The perfect dip for a party, it can be paired with veggie sticks, breads and a lot more. Start by grilling the eggplant on the gas stove. Once well charred, peel the skin and add the pulp to a mixer. Add in salt, crushed garlic, coriander, cumin powder, tahini paste (sesame seed paste), lime juice and blend it well. Transfer into a bowl, drizzle with olive oil and chilli powder and serve with pita bread.

ALSO WATCH: How To Make Beguni

Eggplant Fritters

These fritters make for a great tea-time snack. Slice the eggplant and coat it with a chickpea batter consisting chickpea flour or besan, salt, red chilli powder, pepper and a pinch of baking powder. Fry these and serve with ketchup or any other sauce.