BAKED EGGPLANT STICKS RECIPES

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 375°F. Spray a large rimmed baking sheet with cooking spray.
• Place 1/2 tablespoon olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium high heat. When hot add the eggplant and 1/4 cup water. Season with salt and pepper to taste and cook, stirring occasionally until tender, 10 to 12 minutes. Transfer to the bowl of a food processor and pulse a few times.
• Transfer to a bowl and add bread crumbs, beaten egg, Romano cheese, parsley, garlic and chopped basil into the eggplant. Season with 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt and 1/8 teaspoon of pepper.
• Form the eggplant mixture into 24 balls about 1 1/8 oz each, rolling tightly and transfer to the prepared baking sheet. Bake until firm and browned, about 20 to 25 minutes.
• Heat the sauce in a large deep skillet to warm the sauce. Add the meatballs to the sauce and simmer for 5 minutes. Garnish the meatballs with basil leaves and serve with ricotta cheese if desired.

Steps:

• Heat the oven and prepare the baking sheet. Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 425°F. Line a rimmed baking sheet with parchment paper and coat with cooking spray.
• Prepare the breading station. Combine the breadcrumbs and Parmesan in a gallon-sized resealable bag. Whisk the egg white until foamy in a small bowl; set aside.
• Cut the eggplant into fries. Slice the stem off the eggplant. Leave the eggplant unpeeled. Cut the eggplant into wide sticks: first cut the eggplant crosswise into 1-inch-thick rounds, then cut the rounds into 1-inch wide sticks.
• Season. Place the eggplant in a large bowl, sprinkle with the salt, and toss to combine.
• Coat the eggplant fries in egg white. Dip 1 eggplant fry into the egg white and turn to coat. Place in the gallon bag with the breadcrumb mixture and repeat with the remaining fries.
• Bread the eggplant fries. Seal the bag and shake to evenly coat the eggplant fries with the breadcrumbs and cheese.
• Roast. Remove the eggplant fries from the bag, gently shaking off excess crumbs, and place in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet. Spray with another coat of cooking spray. Roast, flipping the fries every 5 minutes, until golden-brown and crisp, about 15 minutes total.
• Make the yogurt dip. While the eggplant fries are roasting, place the yogurt, garlic powder, dried parsley, dried thyme, salt, and pepper in a small bowl and whisk to combine. Serve the yogurt dip with the warm eggplant fries.