Late summer is upon us, and now is the time to savor those last few weeks of seasonal produce before a new, cooler season sets in. One of my favorite summertime produce items is eggplant, which can be an intimidating ingredient if you don’t know how to prepare it. Eggplant is a delicate, egg-shaped, glossy, purple fruit that has white flesh. It has a meaty texture and a mellow, squash-like flavor when raw. And it tastes great fried in an airy batter!
I swung by Whole Foods in Boca Raton and picked up some fresh eggplant, along with a few other key ingredients to create a light and crispy battered eggplant rounds recipe. In this recipe, a few flavorings and some batter combine to make crispy eggplant fritters. Drizzled with honey and garden basil, it’s a testament to the idea that the simplest of dishes can be really, really great.
The whole family will LOVE these.
Crispy Battered Eggplant with Honey Drizzle
Ingredients
Canola oil, for frying
1 eggplant, peeled
Salt and pepper
1 cup flour
1 teaspoon baking powder
1 egg
½ cup club soda
Honey, for drizzling
5 basil leaves, cut julienned style
Directions
Pour enough canola oil into a large saucepan to reach a depth of two inches. Heat the oil over medium heat until a deep-fry thermometer reads 325°F.
While the oil is heating, slice your peeled eggplant into ¼-inch thick rounds. Season them with salt and pepper.
In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, baking powder and a pinch of salt. Add the egg and club soda, and mix thoroughly until batter is fully combined.
Generously dip eggplant rounds into the batter, coating both sides. Fry eggplant in batches until golden brown, about four minutes. Arrange fried eggplant slices onto a serving dish, drizzle with honey and top with basil. Serve warm or at room temperature.
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About Amanda Jane
Amanda Jane is the creator of the food blog Seasonally Jane, a creative space where she shares her love of seasonally inspired cooking through original recipes, photography and writing. Seasonally Jane celebrates the use of peak-season fruits and vegetables with an emphasis on organic whole foods and unique ingredients. Amanda launched her blog in September 2014 and is based in Lighthouse Point.
