Eggplant should be sliced about 1/4 inch thick when making eggplant parmesan. Simply cut off the end and slice into large, 1/4-inch thick circles.
How do you pick eggplant for eggplant parmesan?
“Eggplant should be slightly firm but not hard,” says Leone. In other words, if you push on it with your finger and the veggie feels very soft, or you’re able to puncture the skin, it’s too far gone. A perfectly ripe eggplant will not have as much give when touched as a ripe tomato or peach.
How do you cut eggplant into slices?
Slice the eggplant.
Using a sharp knife, place the eggplant on the cutting board. Trim off the eggplant stem at the top of the eggplant. Then cut the eggplant into round slices. You can cut eggplant into thin slices or thick slices.
How do you slice eggplant thin?
Using a 9-1/4″ French Chef trim off the ends of the eggplant. Stand the eggplant up so it rests flat on the cutting board and slice lengthwise to desired thickness.
Do you need to salt eggplant before making eggplant parmesan?
Not necessarily; it depends on what you’re looking for in the finished dish. Though salting works when you want the eggplant to be creamy and tender — such as with parmigiana — in those cases where you want the eggplant to retain its shape and have a slightly firmer texture — such as ratatouille — you can skip it.
Can you slice eggplant ahead of time?
Store in a sealed bag or container with an airtight lid in the refrigerator. Eggplant: Can brown when exposed to air, so it’s good to peel/cut/cube/slice as you go. Fennel: Can be washed, then thinly sliced or chopped 2 to 3 days in advance. Store in a sealed bag or container with an airtight lid in the refrigerator.
Why is my eggplant parm watery?
Forgetting to Pre-Salt It
“Add a pinch of salt to both sides of eggplant slices and let them sit on the counter for up to an hour. You’ll soon notice droplets of water appearing on the eggplant’s surface,” she says. Pat the surface of the eggplant dry just before cooking.
Why do you salt eggplant before cooking?
Salting: Salting removes excess liquid and some of the bitterness. Today’s eggplants are bred for mildness, though, so it’s not as important as it used to be (if you are frying eggplant, salting will ensure a creamy texture and rich flavor). This method works for eggplant slices, cubes, or planks.
Do you have to peel eggplant before you cook it?
While the skin of a small young eggplant is edible, the skin becomes bitter on larger or older eggplants and should be peeled. When in doubt, the answer to, “Do you peel eggplant before cooking?” is yes, peel it.
Should I peel my eggplant for eggplant parmesan?
The peel of an eggplant is completely edible. However, as the eggplant grows bigger and matures, the peel may become tough and bitter. People often prefer to peel larger eggplants because of this, but smaller eggplants do just fine unpeeled. It ends up being a matter of personal preference.
How do you hollow out eggplant?
Cut each eggplant in half lengthwise. Leaving a 1/2-inch border, use a paring knife to cut around the insides of each half, then scoop out the flesh with a spoon, creating boats out of the shells.
Do you shave eggplant?
It’s up to you! Some people do not like the bitter taste of eggplant skin and like to peel it. Some recipes may also call for peeled eggplant. Use a vegetable peeler or knife to remove the skin before cutting it if desired.
Can you slice eggplant on a mandolin?
Preparing the eggplant:
Rinse the eggplant, then using a mandolin slicer, slice eggplant long ways in ¼ inch slices. Place the slices in a baking sheet and drizzle with olive oil on both sides and season with salt and pepper.
How do you cut thin sliced vegetables?
A mandoline is a tool that’s designed to give you very thin, even slices of vegetables and fruits. It consists of a stationary blade that attaches to a platform or other framework that lets you move the produce over it.
How long should you let eggplant sweat?
Eggplants should sweat between 30 minutes and an hour. To check the doneness of your eggplant, look for little droplets of moisture on the vegetable’s surface. How to remove water from eggplant? To dry eggplant, all you need to do is blot your slices with paper towels (or a clean kitchen cloth).
Should I Rinse eggplant after salting?
When you’re ready to cook, rinse the eggplant under cold water to remove the excess salt. Then press the eggplant between clean kitchen towels or paper towels to extract as much liquid as possible. This done, you’re ready to cook.
Is it better to soak eggplant in milk or salt?
Soak it in milk.
The milk not only tempers the bitterness, but it actually makes for eggplant that is extra creamy, since the vegetable acts like a sponge and soaks up a good amount of milk in its flesh.
How do you keep sliced eggplant from turning brown?
To prevent this from happening, prepare a bowl of water in advance prior to cutting eggplant. Then add a tablespoonful of milk to it. Add the freshly cut eggplant to this and it will not blacken.
How long can you keep sliced eggplant in the fridge?
3 to 4 days
After cutting, eggplant keeps for 3 to 4 days in an airtight container or freezer bag in the fridge. And if you want to prevent it from browning, you should spray all the flesh with lemon juice. If you leave cut eggplant on the counter, it will start to turn brown after about half an hour or so.
Can you store eggplant in the fridge after cutting?
Storing cut eggplant isn’t recommended because once the flesh is exposed, it will start browning and going bad. However, if you’ve already cut it, store it in the fridge in an airtight container. You may want to squeeze some lemon juice on top to prevent enzymatic browning.
Why do you soak eggplant in water before cooking?
Many recipes call for salting and rinsing eggplant before cooking it to draw out its bitterness. Brining can be used instead and has the added advantage of helping the eggplant keep its shape when it’s cooked, whether your recipe calls for baking, frying, or grilling.