Eggplant Oriental
A flavorful eggplant dish with rich tomato and herb flavors, perfect for vegetarians and those who enjoy hearty, Mediterranean-inspired bites served with crispy tortilla chips.
Ingredients
- 2 eggplants, peeled and cubed ⓘ
- 1/2 cup olive oil ⓘ
- 1 medium onion, minced ⓘ
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1/3 cup parsley ⓘ
- 2 green bell peppers, chopped
- 1 can Italian tomatoes ⓘ
- 3 tablespoons tomato paste ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon basil ⓘ
- 1 teaspoon oregano ⓘ
- 1/4 teaspoon coriander ⓘ
- 3 tablespoons ketchup ⓘ
- 3 tablespoons chili sauce ⓘ
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 300°F (150°C).
- Bake the eggplant for 30 minutes until soft.
- In a large skillet, heat the olive oil and sauté the minced onion, garlic, parsley, chopped bell peppers, and Italian tomatoes.
- Add basil, oregano, and coriander; cook for 10 minutes.
- Stir in tomato paste, ketchup, and chili sauce; cook for another 10 minutes.
- Add the baked eggplant and cook for an additional 20 minutes.
- Puree the mixture in a blender until smooth.
- Serve warm with tortilla chips.
Tips & Substitutions
To enhance the flavor of your Eggplant Oriental, consider adding a pinch of red pepper flakes for some heat. If you don't have fresh parsley, you can use dried parsley but reduce the amount. For a twist, experiment with adding roasted red peppers or olives to the sauté mixture. This dish also works well as a base for Mediterranean recipes, allowing for creative variations.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the Eggplant Oriental warm as a dip with tortilla chips for a delightful appetizer. It also pairs well with crusty bread or as a side dish for grilled meats or fish. For a complete meal, consider serving it alongside Greek Loaf or a fresh salad to balance the flavors.
Storage & Reheating
Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. To reheat, gently warm in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, or microwave in short intervals until heated through. If the mixture thickens, you can add a splash of water or broth to achieve your desired consistency.
Nutrition & Diet Analysis (per serving)
Each serving of Eggplant Oriental contains roughly 386 calories, with 12g protein, 57g carbohydrates, and 19g fat. It is an excellent source of iron (134% of the Daily Value), dietary fiber (93% of the Daily Value), and calcium (77% of the Daily Value). It also contributes 26g of dietary fiber toward your daily target.
Estimated from ingredients & per-serving nutrition — verify against package labels for allergies or strict diets.
* % Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA 2020).
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use other vegetables in this recipe?
Yes, you can customize the recipe by adding other vegetables such as zucchini or mushrooms. Just ensure they are cut into similar sizes for even cooking. This flexibility makes it a great option for using up leftover vegetables.
Is this recipe suitable for vegans?
Absolutely! Eggplant Oriental is naturally vegan as it contains no animal products. It's a hearty dish that is perfect for anyone following a plant-based diet, making it a great addition to vegetarian recipes.
How can I make this dish spicier?
To increase the spice level, you can add more chili sauce or include diced jalapeños in the sauté step. Alternatively, sprinkle some cayenne pepper or crushed red pepper flakes during cooking for a kick. Adjust to your preferred heat level!
Nutrition is estimated from USDA FoodData Central ingredient data and may vary with brand, portion and preparation — see our methodology. This information is for general educational purposes only and is not medical or dietary advice (disclaimer).