I can’t figure eggplant out. Was it simply created by the Supreme Being, as a meat substitute, only to appease vegetarians and vegans? Or was it invented so that dieters had something they could eat in limitless quantities. It has a crazy texture, bordering on slimy, depending on how you prepare it. I prefer to use dry methods like baking or grilling so it has a crispy outer texture, at least. I hate it when eggplant is used in lasagna, as a pasta substitute, because it turns into a slimy textural nightmare. If you deep fry eggplant I am sure that it is brilliant, but what is the point in that, just eat a piece of meat for goodness sake! Unless you don’t eat meat, that is. Eggplant is like the marshmallow sponge of vegetables (fruits, nightshades, guinea squash, what have you), so light and fluffy! Except marshmallows have much more flavor. And, look out, if you sauté them plan on using a few cups of oil. They will soak all of the oil up in minutes. Deep frying would probably be healthier! Come to think of it, every food I can think of has much more flavor than an eggplant. It is basically a vehicle to pile good food on to, which is exactly what I did. This side dish was very good. Of course it was, the eggplant was being crushed under a mountain of cheese and flavorful salsa.
Don’t get me wrong, I do not hate eggplant. I just do not see the point in it, unless it is for a dietary reason. And for some reason, beyond my understanding, I want to see a point in it. Maybe I just want to be part of the exotic people who find eggplant irresistible!
Baked Eggplant Fiesta
-1 lb. Eggplant
-1c. Shredded Colby Jack
-8 Tbsp. Medium Salsa
Preheat oven to 400°. Cut eggplant into 1 inch slices. Salt liberally, and drain for at least 10 minutes. Dab off sweat and excess salt with a paper towel. Place eggplant on foil lined cookie sheet sprayed with nonstick spray. Sprinkle with fresh ground pepper. Bake for 15 min. turn and bake for another 20 min. (until golden brown). Remove from oven. Pile in oven safe dishes. Top with salsa and cheese. Place ~ 6in. from broiler. Broil for 2-3 min. (to melt cheese). ~600 cal. (if you want to eat all of it). FYI… ~400 of those 600 cal. are just from cheese.
Proposal: If you have a meatless eggplant recipe that is so delightful it might make me consider quitting meat (not that I ever would quit, I just want to taste eggplant that is that amazing), I would love to hear about it.