berenjenas fritas (eggplant)

[vJosie]

This is a very simple recipe I got from a Dominican friend. He thinks it's funny that I love it so much because in DR, it's considered "poor people food". Just an added bonus, in my opinion, that it's cheap to make!!!!




Slice eggplant in rounds. (I prefer the japanese eggplant which is long and thin) Pour oil in skillet on medium heat. Beat two egg whites until stiff. Add salt and pepper to taste. Coat the eggplant slices in the egg white and fry until golden on both sides.

[not2late]

Poor people's food is sometimes tastier than rich people's food, imo.

I'm gonna try this recipe because it looks easy and because I l.o.v.e. eggplant!!!!!!

[ValidRouge]

Josie, this looks great!

Another 'poor people food' from earlier times that I *LOVE* is "Swamp Cabbage". Otherwise known as "Heart of Palm". Back in the Depression, people of the south harvested and ate the hearts of the Cabbage Palm trees. Cooked with bacon and onion or cooked with tomatoes are the common ways of serving it. Boy, is that stuff good. Now its served in fancy restaurants and costs a fortune in the stores.

[dreamof145]

I eat this often. I add parm. cheese over mine and I think it is delicious!! I don't know where my mom got this dish...but I got it from her.

[not2late]

My brain is working overtime on this recipe....Does the egg coating become "crunchy"?

[MotherOfGizmo]

I also make this but with added parmesean for "breading" I do the same thing with zucchini, green tomatos, cauliflower and mushrooms! The Mushrooms are great dipped in a creamy horseradish sauce. Now I'm hungry darn it!

[vJosie]

No, the egg doesn't become crunchy, but I don't know how I would describe the texture. It's not eggy either. You'll just have to try it! I wonder what other veggies would be good cooked like this...

I know in Mexico I used to eat chiles rellenos - cheese-stuffed peppers that are fried the same way. They are absolutely delish!!!! They're a bit more trouble to make (you have to blister the pepper and put it in a bag then peel it...blah blah blah) but if you see one in a Mexican restaurant, it is a must try food!

[not2late]

I went to the Farmer's market and bought some Japanese eggplants (because I like them better than the big kind)

I tried this recipe. Not only is it easy-peasy, but it's wonderful!

[higgies]

I just figured out what I'm doing with my eggplant tonight!! I'll let you know how it turns out.

Think I need olive oil or veggie oil?

[not2late]

I wouldn't use extra virgin olive oil to fry with (just because it tastes better on salads!) But you can use canola or peanut.