Do You Have an Air Fryer? This Recipe is a Must Try
Eggplant for Two 🍆
I love eggplant. When I buy it, I have to be ready to make two dinners for two. It’s a must, for me anyway, to plan in advance.
I picked up an eggplant last week at the grocery. The first meal I made was my always in-demand veggie stir fry*. Similar to the one I have written about before.
The second meal I had in mind was Eggplant Parmesan.
Have you ever made it? The first time I made it was over a year ago. It was delicious, but I found the process time-consuming and messy. I needed to find an easier way.
Since then, I bought an air fryer. What a dream that little machine is. I used the air fryer for my encrusted tofu*, and thought there must be recipes for breaded vegetables too.
With my usual Simplicity is Key perspective, I began reading recipes. I blended three together and came up with this quick and easy one.
*Note - the asterisk recipes will be added. 😋
My Air Fryer Eggplant — for Eggplant Parmesan or an appetizer with your favorite dipping sauce
Ingredients — for 2 servings
· 1/2 medium-sized eggplant
· 1/2 c my homemade breadcrumbs
· 1/4 c almond flour I used a little less than 1/4 cup
· 1 T Italian seasoning
· 2 T my vegan Parmesan
· 8–12 grinds of black pepper
· 1 1/2 T olive oil, plus oil to drizzle
· 1 1/2 T unsweetened oat milk
Instructions
Step 1 — Slice the eggplant into 1/4-inch rounds. Place the rounds in a colander and sprinkle with a little salt. Set aside for 20–30 minutes.
Step 2— Pat the eggplant dry with a paper towel.
Step 3 — Mix the dry ingredients in a shallow bowl. I used wide and shallow salad bowls.
Step 4 — Mix the olive oil and milk together in a second shallow bowl.
Step 5— Preheat the air fryer to 380 degrees, if needed. Luckily, my fryer doesn’t require this step.
Step 6 — Dip each eggplant round first in the wet mixture, then in the dry ingredients. Dip the rounds one at a time, then place in the air fryer. Drizzle each one with olive oil. I was able to air fry four rounds at a time.
Step 7 — Set the fryer for 14–16 minutes. Flip halfway through. Enjoy a few of the rounds when done with your favorite dipping sauce.
Step 8 - Place the remainder on a dinner plate to cool. Refrigerate.
Step 9—Tomorrow evening, reheat in the air fryer for an amazing Eggplant Parmesan dinner.
Eggplant Parmesan Dinner for Two
Eggplant Parmesan for 2
Ingredients
- 4 oz. of spaghetti, cooked— or — your choice of pasta
- 1 1/2 c marinara sauce — or — more, if you like it saucy
- 1 T olive oil
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1/2 T dried basil
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
- Vegan Parmesan
- Parsley (optional)
Instructions
Step 1 — Cook the pasta according to the directions and drain into colander.
Step 2— Heat oil and add the garlic. Sauté until fragrant. Add the marinara sauce, basil and red pepper flakes.
Step 3 — Reheat the eggplant rounds in the air fryer. Set the temperature at 350 degrees and the time to 10 minutes. Flip them over halfway through.
Step 4 — Plate the pasta, arrange the eggplant on top, spoon on the sauce, sprinkle with Parmesan and parsley.
Step 5—It’s time to eat. Bon appétit!
Fun Facts about Eggplant
- Eggplant originated in either India or China, as early as 50 BCE.
- During the 15th century, Arabs brought eggplant to Italy. Reportedly, it was Thomas Jefferson who brought eggplant seeds to America.
- Most people think of eggplant as a vegetable. Eggplant though is technically a fruit because it has seeds.
- Early cultivars of the plant were white and egg-shaped, giving the plant its name. There are different names for eggplant used around the world. The most common though in English-speaking countries is eggplant or aubergine.
An Old Italian Wives’ Tale about Eggplant Parmesan
- The tale made clear that after a soon-to-be mama had this meal, she would go into labor.
- In the late 1970’s, at a restaurant in Atlanta, the owner made Eggplant Parmesan from a recipe passed down from the old country, for his very pregnant wife. She ate the meal, went into labor and soon delivered their son.
- The restaurant now has an “Eggplant Baby” wall filled with testimonials.
- If your due date is near, this Eggplant Parmesan recipe may be for you.
Please share your eggplant experience. I would love to hear from you.
Eat Well! Stay Well! Live Well!