Georgian style eggplant with walnuts is a very tasty, but easy to prepare dish. It is noteworthy that several variations of the recipe are possible. At the same time, the final taste of the delicacy directly depends on how the ingredients are correctly selected. It is also worth noting that eggplants themselves like to absorb fat and oil. That is, when frying, this fact should be taken into account. There are a number of tricks for this. For example, a baked dish is suitable even for those who are on a diet.
Eggplant. Beneficial features
As the name implies, the main ingredient in Georgian eggplant with nuts and garlic is blue fruit. Not everyone likes their taste. But many note that, with proper preparation, this vegetable is revealed, even becomes similar in taste to mushrooms. By the way, to call these fruits vegetables is not entirely true. Rather, it is a berry, as well as tomatoes. But for most, it is more likely associated with zucchini. Therefore, they are often called vegetables.
Interesting information about the benefits of eggplant. Due to the presence of anthocyanins, this fetus helps to combat the harmful external effects on the body. It is noteworthy that only classical, blue eggplants possess this property . White copies of this substance are deprived. By the way, it is because of anthocyanins that some fruits have a bitter taste.
Eggplant can also be used for anemia. They are also recommended for gout. Despite the fact that many eggplants are avoided, considering them high-calorie, the fruits help reduce bad cholesterol. They also normalize metabolism.
Also known about the benefits of the fruits of this plant for the heart. In eggplant you can find a large amount of potassium, which undoubtedly helps the work of this muscle. Therefore, dishes from them, for example, eggplant with walnuts in Georgian, are recommended for elderly people.
How to choose eggplant
To cook a really tasty dish, you should seriously consider the choice of products. Not everyone knows how to choose eggplant.
For example, it is mistakenly believed that the larger the eggplant, the tastier it is. This is not true. The length of the plant really does not really matter, but the thickness - yes. The thicker the fruit, the more seeds it contains and the greater the likelihood that it will be bitter. Therefore, it is better to choose fruits that are long, but not like a barrel.
Also worth paying attention to color. Of course, there are different varieties of plants, so it’s impossible to say that the fruit should be only dark blue. However, you need to choose those fruits that have a uniform color, and they have no visible damage, dents, cracks. Then Georgian-style eggplant with nuts and garlic will be really delicious.
Fried Eggplant: Ingredients for the Dish
For this recipe you need to take:
- 2 eggplants, medium size;
- 3 cloves of garlic;
- 200 grams of peeled walnuts;
- a bunch of cilantro;
- vegetable oil;
- salt, pepper, other seasonings - to taste.
Georgian fried eggplants absorb a lot of oil during cooking. Therefore, they are not recommended for those who are on a diet. However, you can reduce their calorie content if you pre-dry on a paper towel.
Eggplant cooking: tasty and fast
First of all, you need to prepare all the ingredients. To do this, with a blender, grind the nut to a crumb state. Now the cilantro is cut as small as possible, and then combined with the prepared nuts. Garlic, salt, pepper and seasonings, passed through the press, are also added to this. This mixture is a Georgian style eggplant filling with nuts and garlic.
Eggplant should be thinly cut along, while the skins are not removed. Of course, before this, the fruits should be thoroughly washed and the tips removed. Eggplant is fried in vegetable oil on both sides for about a couple of minutes. Now they are laid out on a baking sheet, slightly oiled, then the filling is laid out on them. Slices can be rolled up, or you can simply fold in half, like a sandwich. These eggplant in Georgian in the oven should be baked for about 20 minutes.
Some do not like eggplant skin. However, when baked, it becomes soft. If the fruits are peeled, they may fall apart into gruel. Therefore, it is recommended to leave the skin on the fruit.
Spicy eggplant with nuts and cilantro
There are many recipes for this dish. For example, many people like hot eggplants in Georgian. And there are really spicy, aromatic recipes like this one. For it is necessary to prepare:
- 3 eggplants;
- a glass of peeled nuts;
- vegetable oil for frying;
- 3 cloves of garlic;
- cilantro;
- 1 teaspoon Suneli hops seasoning;
- half a teaspoon of wine vinegar;
- salt;
- pomegranate seeds.
A dish prepared according to this recipe is obtained with a pleasant acidity.
How to cook
The eggplant is cut into strips, thin enough. Then these slices are fried in vegetable oil from two sides until cooked. Now they can be laid out on napkins or paper towels. So the excess oil drains.
For the filling, the nuts are crushed, but not crushed, leaving small pieces. Chop garlic and cilantro finely. Now combine nuts, spicy herbal mixture, vinegar, salt and seasoning. You can add a little warm water to make the mixture softer and more plastic. Mix it more conveniently with your hands.
Prepared slices of eggplant fill with filling, roll into a roll. Now they can be laid out on a plate, sprinkled with pomegranate seeds and herbs. Delicious Georgian eggplants are cooked very quickly!
Spicy Baked Eggplant
In this dish eggplant acts as a paste. However, this dish can be modified, then it will replace the side dish. These Georgian eggplants are spicy but low in fat. To prepare you will need:
- three large fruits;
- 150 grams of peeled nuts;
- one onion;
- garlic - three cloves;
- juice of one lemon;
- cilantro and parsley - in a bunch;
- half a teaspoon of dried basil;
- as many hops-suneli;
- hot ground pepper - to taste;
- salt to taste;
- a pinch of granulated sugar.
In this dish, the mixture of herbs and spices can be changed to your liking.
Cooking a spicy dish
Eggplant is thoroughly washed, and then with a toothpick pierced in several places. Now they can be wrapped in foil and baked in the oven. It takes about forty minutes. Finished fruits are peeled, crushed to a paste.
Now preparing a dressing for the dish. Take the garlic and pass it through the press. Here greens are added, which are cut finely. Nuts are chopped in a blender and added to a bowl. Lemon juice and all spices are poured here. Now the mixture should be infused.
Eggplant puree is mixed with the resulting sauce. Ideally, this dish should be infused in the refrigerator for about eight hours, you can cook it in the evening, during the night it will be ready. When serving, it can be further garnished with pomegranate seeds.
Another option - do not bring baked eggplant to porridge. If you cut them into small pieces, and then pour the sauce, you get a good side dish or an independent dish.
Georgian-style eggplant with nuts and garlic is a delicious dish. In itself, the combination of fruits, nuts and hot and spicy spices says a lot. When cooking, the dish immediately captivates its aroma. It can be changed to your liking, for example, made sharper or softer. However, each mistress can find her own recipe. In addition, eggplant is very useful for the body. And in a baked form they are also not high-calorie.