Crispy Egglplant Fritters with Smoked Mozzarella, & salad!
These were good, considering I'm not a huge fan of eggplant! It kind of "disguises" it for those who are like me and still getting used to eating something new. I think the mozzerella in the middle (we cut one open to show it on the inside) really added something to it. They reminded me of mozzarella sticks with some eggplant added in! We served these with some marinara and a baby spinach salad on the side.
A little tedious, but well worth it. (Especially if you have help!) We did use the smoked mozzarella and I DO recommend it! Yummm. We also used seasoned bread crumbs cause that's what we had on hand. I didn't see any reason why not to. Use what you've got! Other than that, we did follow this directly. They got nice and golden and crispy in the olive oil! :)
crispy eggplant fritters with smoked mozzarella
Bon Appétit | August 2007
Jimmy Bradley
Servings: Makes about 20 fritters.
Ingredients
2 large eggplants (2 pounds total)
1 1/4 teaspoons salt, divided
Olive oil (for brushing and frying)
2 large eggs
3/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
1 1/4 cups plain dry breadcrumbs, divided
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh Italian parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 1/2 tablespoons all purpose flour
4 ounces smoked mozzarella cheese,* cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 20 cubes)
*Also called mozzarella affumicata; available at some specialty foods stores and at cheese shops.
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°F. Cut eggplants crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Place on layers of paper towels. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt; let stand 30 minutes. Brush 2 large baking sheets with oil. Pat eggplant dry; arrange in single layer on prepared sheets. Brush lightly with oil. Bake until eggplant is tender and dry, about 1 hour. Cool slightly; chop coarsely.
Whisk 1 egg, grated Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup breadcrumbs, parsley, thyme, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in medium bowl. Stir in chopped eggplant (mixture will be soft). Spread 1 cup breadcrumbs on plate. Whisk 1 egg and flour in another bowl. Press and shape eggplant mixture into 1 1/4 -inch-diameter balls. Press 1 piece smoked mozzarella into center of each ball, making sure eggplant mixture covers cheese. Dip balls, 1 at a time, into egg batter; roll in breadcrumbs to coat.
Pour enough oil into large skillet to reach depth of 1/4 inch; heat over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add balls to skillet; sauté until browned, turning often, about 4 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels to drain. Sprinkle with salt and serve.
A little tedious, but well worth it. (Especially if you have help!) We did use the smoked mozzarella and I DO recommend it! Yummm. We also used seasoned bread crumbs cause that's what we had on hand. I didn't see any reason why not to. Use what you've got! Other than that, we did follow this directly. They got nice and golden and crispy in the olive oil! :)
crispy eggplant fritters with smoked mozzarella
Bon Appétit | August 2007
Jimmy Bradley
Servings: Makes about 20 fritters.
Ingredients
2 large eggplants (2 pounds total)
1 1/4 teaspoons salt, divided
Olive oil (for brushing and frying)
2 large eggs
3/4 cup finely grated Parmesan cheese
1 1/4 cups plain dry breadcrumbs, divided
1/4 cup finely chopped fresh Italian parsley
1 tablespoon chopped fresh thyme
1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
1 1/2 tablespoons all purpose flour
4 ounces smoked mozzarella cheese,* cut into 1/2-inch cubes (about 20 cubes)
*Also called mozzarella affumicata; available at some specialty foods stores and at cheese shops.
Preparation
Preheat oven to 350°F. Cut eggplants crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Place on layers of paper towels. Sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt; let stand 30 minutes. Brush 2 large baking sheets with oil. Pat eggplant dry; arrange in single layer on prepared sheets. Brush lightly with oil. Bake until eggplant is tender and dry, about 1 hour. Cool slightly; chop coarsely.
Whisk 1 egg, grated Parmesan cheese, 1/4 cup breadcrumbs, parsley, thyme, 1/4 teaspoon pepper, and 1/4 teaspoon salt in medium bowl. Stir in chopped eggplant (mixture will be soft). Spread 1 cup breadcrumbs on plate. Whisk 1 egg and flour in another bowl. Press and shape eggplant mixture into 1 1/4 -inch-diameter balls. Press 1 piece smoked mozzarella into center of each ball, making sure eggplant mixture covers cheese. Dip balls, 1 at a time, into egg batter; roll in breadcrumbs to coat.
Pour enough oil into large skillet to reach depth of 1/4 inch; heat over medium-high heat. Working in batches, add balls to skillet; sauté until browned, turning often, about 4 minutes. Using slotted spoon, transfer to paper towels to drain. Sprinkle with salt and serve.