How to make aubergines in a pan? The recipe (and variations)

The recipe for pan-fried aubergines is simple and quick: a vegetable side dish that will conquer all palates with its goodness!

Today we offer you a side dish of aubergines that is very easy and quick to prepare, which you can actually enjoy in a thousand different ways: on bruschetta for an aperitif , as a sauce for pasta or even – why not – to enrich a cold salad. We're talking about the recipe for pan-fried aubergines: today we'll see step by step how to make this delicious side dish!

You are ready? So fasten your aprons and let's see together how to cook aubergines in this simple and fast, but also very tasty way!

Preparation of sautéed aubergines

1. After having washed the vegetables well, cut them into chunks of the shape and size you prefer (you can make cubes or perhaps slices if you have chosen long aubergines).
2. Place them in a colander in the center of the sink and sprinkle them with fine salt (distribute it by eye), finally place a weight on top of the vegetables. Leave them there at least 40 minutes up to about two hours, so that they can purge the water . This step is not essential and you can also omit it if you want. However, bear in mind that they could be more bitter and that they will take a little longer to cook because they will lose all the water that you have not previously drained. Given this characteristic, they may also be softer on the outside than crunchy.
3. In the meantime, fry the spring onion in a drizzle of oil in a non-stick pan . Alternatively you can also use a clove of garlic or onion, according to your taste.
4. At this point, rinse, dry and dip the aubergines into the pan. Cook over medium heat for about 15 minutes , stirring gently.
5. When they're nice and soft , serve. Enjoy your meal!

Read also

How to purge eggplants? Let's find out the simple technique to avoid mistakes

storage

After preparation, this dish can be kept for about 3 days in the fridge , inside a tightly closed container. You can freeze them to enjoy them even out of season.
We also leave you our guide to storing aubergines so you don't make any mistakes !

Read also

Sauteed aubergines: a delicious side dish of pan-fried vegetables

The variations of the eggplant side dish: ideas for cooking them

Now we have seen how to prepare simple aubergines, but if you want there are many other possibilities to bring this delicious recipe to the table. This dish lends itself to many variations based on your taste (and seasonality) as well as the ingredients that your refrigerator offers.

– Another delicious variant involves adding tomato : add some fresh cherry tomatoes or pan-fried tomato puree and you'll get an even more colorful side dish (very similar to mushroom aubergines , a Neapolitan specialty!)!
In this case, here is the video recipe that you can follow step by step:

-If, on the other hand, you love Mediterranean flavours , a handful of olives, capers, anchovies and maybe even some breadcrumbs will suffice, to best flavor your dish.

– Finally, for a really light dish, replace the olive oil with a couple of tablespoons of vinegar: fewer calories, but still a lot of taste!

Pan-fried Eggplant Parmesan

Finally, here is a delicious version of this dish! We will now prepare a sort of quick parmigiana made in a pan, delicious and quick to make, also ideal for serving as a single dish.
The ingredients are very simple : aubergines, tomato, mozzarella, grated cheese, basil and various condiments! The process is even simpler:

1. Once you have cut the aubergines into slices (and if you have time, after having purged them ), cook them quickly in a pan until they are soft with oil, salt and pepper.
2. In the same pan, make a tomato sauce (use garlic or onion to taste) and when it is a little reduced , remove it.
3. Cut the mozzarella and let it release a little liquid.
4. Return to the pan by putting the aubergines first, then the tomato and finally the mozzarella.
5. Cook with the lid on, add the grated cheese and basil, the necessary condiments… and the dish is ready!

If you liked these appetizing dishes declined in many different forms, then we invite you to try all the recipes and advice we have collected for you onhow to cook aubergines !