Eggplant Caponata | RV Cooking & Healthy RV Recipes #7
Watch along in this episode of RV Cooking as Christine Irene tackles a healthier version of eggplant caponata. Save on a ton of the calories and fat, not the flavor! All cooking is done in a tiny class b rv kitchen. (2014 Airstream Interstate Sprinter van)
Eggplant Caponata is the perfect summertime dish to bring to your next potluck or grill out. It is full of flavor and is a true crowd pleaser. Eggplant caponata is a healthy dish and my recipe makes it even healthier by drastically reducing the amount of oil. Did you know that when deep fried eggplants absorb FOUR TIMES the amount of oil than French fries do? Eggplants are like a sponge and they will magically soak up any amount of oil you pour into the pan. In their natural state (when not prepared with copious amounts of oil), eggplants are a low calorie and nutrient dense food.
Traditionally, this Sicilian classic calls to fry the eggplant in A LOT of olive oil. Like 1 1/2 CUPS worth (which is equal to 2,865 calories)! My recipe calls for 3 tablespoons (358 calories). When you divide those calories up by 6 servings you save a whopping 417 calories per serving. Just by reducing the oil! To do this we lightly fry the eggplant rounds after they have been brushed with egg-whites. I like to measure out 3 tablespoons before I start cooking so I limit my use. When you portion out your oil before hand you have your max amount of oil that you are forced to make last the entire recipe. I even usually end up with extra at the end, using more like 2.5 tablespoons. My recipe also leaves out the sugar and the raisins that are often in traditional recipes, and you won't even miss it!
Why is eggplant caponata perfect for parties?
First of all, you make this a day ahead leaving you stress free on party day. It actually needs to rest overnight to fully develop its flavors. Whip this up for your next summer grill out and have a scoop to top off your grilled meat at the party. This allows you to eat healthy, knowing you have at least one healthy side salad that tastes amazing. Bring a baguette along to serve on the side. This gives guests the option to be also eat healthier by skipping the bread, or they can indulge with a slice or two topped off with this salad. With the option of how to eat it, and the fact it is vegetarian (and optionally gluten-free), it truly is a crowd pleaser that everyone at the party can enjoy...unless they don't like olives and capers, then they are out of luck!!
This recipe is also of course great as a side dish for your weekly lunches or dinners. While you are making this on the stove-top, roast a couple of pounds of chicken breast in the oven. Serve with chicken breast, cod, or other white fish such as Mahi Mahi (like the Sicilians do). If you really want to get fancy for an Italian themed dinner date in, pair it up with my Margherita Chicken.
Shop our Amazon Store:
Harvest Hosts Discount Link:
Instagram:
Classic Eggplant Parm with Franco Contaldo
Parmigiana di Melanzane
Franco’s Eggplant Parmigiana
“Ah, Eggplant Parm…it conjures up the ultimate comfort food for your humble Chef. By the
way, the name Parmigiana does not mean Parmesan cheese. The name derives from the
Sicilian Parmiciana, which in dialect mean stacked wooden slats or boards; essentially how the
slices of eggplant are placed in the pan. Any way you slice it, this flavorful, meatless dish is sure
to become a family fav” Franco Contaldo
Go here for the recipe:
Barilla | 15 Second Recipe: Casarecce with Eggplant and Ricotta sauce
A short, 15 second recipe for our Casarecce with Eggplant and our Ricotta sauce. Easy inspiration for your next mealtime.
Stay in touch!
Website -
Instagram -
Facebook -
Twitter -
Mom's cooking show (how to make Eggplants caponata) - Best Sicilian Food and Folk Songs
#caponata #caponatarecipes #sicilianfood
Hello everyone,
we are Rosella and Gianca, 2 proud native Sicilian travel consultants with a strong passion for our beloved island! We take pride in sharing Sicily's beauties and the most authentic culture of Sicily.
This time we are proud to introduce you Gianca's mom. She is an authentic Sicilian housewife with a great knowledge of the Sicilian culinary traditions. She is proud to share with you the recipe of the traditional eggplants caponata, a very popular dish in Sicily, in particular in the area of Palermo.
EGGPLANTS CAPONATA RECIPE:
Ingredients for 4 people:
4 black eggplants
200 g of white olives without nuts
500 g of tomato sauce
300 g of celery
50 g of capers without salt
2 red onions (or 1 if it is big)
3 tea spoons of sugar
100 ml of white vinegar
sunflower oil q.s.
extra virgin olive oil q.s.
salt to taste.
Instructions:
1) Cut the eggplants into cubes, sprinkle them with salt and let them stand in a colander for at least 1 hour in order to remove their bitter flavor.
2) Cut the celery into small pieces, put it in a pot with hot water (no salt) and let it boil for 10 minutes. Drain and put it on a dish. Remember to save about 100 ml of celery broth.
3) Drain the eggplants cubes and put them on a dish rag (to remove the wet).
4) In a frying pan put the sunflowers oil to fry the eggplants. Use a generous quantity of sunflower oil; the eggplants must be totally immersed in the oil. This is a secret to get light, less greasy fried food. It is also better to divide the quantity of eggplants to be fried in two times.
5) Meantime chop the onions and fry them in a few olive oil for about 5 minutes.
6) Add the tomato sauce and simmer for 10 minutes.
7) Add the celery, the capers and the olives and cook the mixture for about 5 minutes over medium heat.
8) Gradually add the celery broth and stir the mixture for about 10 minutes until they are well combined.
9) Add the eggplants and simmer for about 5 minutes.
10) Mix the vinegar and the sugar (until the sugar melts). Finally add the mix of vinegar and sugar and let them cook for about 3 minutes, so that the vinegar evaporates.
11) Turn off the heat and let the caponata rest for at least 5-6 hours.
12) Enjoy it!
In the second part of the video you can listen to “Si maritau Rosa” a traditional Sicilian folk song. Author is unknown.
Here the lyrics:
Vinni la primavera
li mennuli su 'nciuri
a mia 'nfocu d'amuri
lu cori m'addumò
l'aceddi s'assicutunu
facennu discurseddi
Oh quanti cosi beddi
ca mi fannu 'nsunnar
si maritau Rosa
Saridda e Pippinedda
e iu ca sugnu bedda
mi vogghiu marità
di quanti beddi giuvini
ca passunu di sta strada
nuddu di na taliata
digna la casa me
e iu tra peni e lacrimi
distruggiu la me vita
mi vogghiu fari zita
mi vogghiu marità
si maritau Rosa
Saridda e Pippinedda
e iu ca sugnu bedda
mi vogghiu marità
WHAT ABOUT US:
As a tour company based in Sicily we help people enjoy amazing experiences in Sicily. In time of Covid and lockdown, we also manage virtual events and virtual tours of Sicily.
If you want to discover all our activities, please follow the link to our website:
WHAT ABOUT OUR COMMUNITY ON FB:
This video comes from a live streaming on our Facebook page named Best Things to Do in Sicily, a community with more than 16,000 friends who follow us from US, Canada, Australia and other countries around the world. Many of them have a Sicilian origin and want to keep the connection to the homeland of their Sicilian ancestors alive and strong.
If you are not already following us on Facebook, we would be glad to invite you to join our big beautiful family!
This is the link:
HOW YOU CAN HELP US:
As you knows Covid has a deep impact on our business as travel consultants. Please support us so we may continue sharing the best of our beloved island and your ancestral homeland with proud Sicily Lovers like you. No donation is too small and any amount would be greatly appreciated. You may also make your donation anonymous if you prefer. You can help us spread the love for Sicily by following this link:
Love, hugs and kisses from Sicily,
Rosella and Gianca (2 proud native Sicilian travel consultants founders of Round Trip Consulting and Best Things to Do in Sicily)
Simple Eggplant Parmigiana Without Breadcrumbs
This Sicilian style eggplant parmigiana recipe is quite simple but super delicious. The ingredients used are fresh eggplants, mozzarella cheese, Parmigiano Reggiano, basil, marinara sauce, and olive oil. There are no breadcrumbs, eggs, or flour in this recipe, leaving the eggplant as the predominant flavor. This is also a keto and gluten free eggplant parmesan recipe. I show you how to both pan-fry the eggplant and how to roast it. Either way gives great results. This is the first episode of the eggplant parm series. The other episodes will have a Neapolitan style with flour and egg batter, and an Italian-American style with breadcrumbs. I hope you enjoy this recipe!
Marinara Sauce:
Ingredients:
▪2-3 large eggplant
▪3 plus cups marinara sauce
▪1/2 cup grated Parmigiano
Reggiano
▪1 pound block mozzarella
▪bunch basil leaves
▪olive oil for frying and
roasting
▪salt/pepper to taste
Instructions:
1. Cut eggplant into 1/2disks, layout on a baking tray, and salt aggressively.
2. After 90 minutes wash the salt off or remove with wet paper towels. Dry eggplant well after removing salt.
3. Fry eggplant in olive oil (about 1/4 deep) until crisp on both sides. About 3-5 minutes per side. Alternatively - oil eggplants and roast in a parchment paper-lined baking tray at 400f for 30 minutes or until lightly browned.
4. Blot eggplants of excess oil and begin assembling parmigiana.
5. Place a thick layer of marinara sauce in a baking dish then add 1 layer of eggplant, more sauce, torn basil leaves, shredded mozzarella, and grated Parmigiano Reggiano. Repeat in layers to the top of the baking dish.
6. Place remaining mozzarella on top and bake at 325f for 50-60 minutes. If desired broil for 2 minutes right at the end. Alternatively, bake without mozzarella on top at 400f for 30 minutes.
7. Let eggplant parm rest for 30 minutes before serving. Enjoy!
WEBSITE:
INSTAGRAM:
#eggplantparmesan
The Best Chicken and Eggplant Parmesan
Today we're making chicken eggplant parmesan. This might be the best combo ever!
SUPPORT ON PATREON:
MY AMAZON STORE (This is an affiliate link)
****PRINT RECIPE WITH INSTRUCTIONS AND PROCESS SHOTS****
CHICKEN EGGPLANT PARMESAN PRINT RECIPE:
FOLLOW ME ON INSTAGRAM:
Disclosure:
I am a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.