Eggplant can get a bad rap. Some people find it mushy while others may find it stringy or even tasteless. But if it's prepared well, eggplant can be an extremely satisfying meat substitute and, when joined with a few tomatoes and fresh herbs, the perfect summer meal.
I like this recipe a lot because it doesn't try and dress up the eggplant with too much oil or gobs of cheese. So often people will fry up their eggplant (which isn't half-bad, I'll be the first to admit) or douse it with loads of olive oil and cheese while baking in the oven. Especially in the hot summer months, it's nice to let eggplant stand on its own as it does here.
I keep this recipe close at hand because it's highly adaptable. If you have farmer's market tomatoes ripening on your windowsill, use those instead of canned tomatoes. Maybe you've got a few zucchinis or a jar of capers you've been wanting to use up? Throw those in, too. I make this recipe often, actually, and sometimes lay some spinach in the bottom of the pan and place the eggplant right on top--this way you've got wilted, flavorful spinach to go along with your simple braised eggplant.

1 large eggplant, halved lengthwise
1 teaspoon kosher salt, divided
1 small onion, sliced
1/4 olive oil
14-oz can whole tomatoes (about 3-4 tomatoes, cut into 1/2-inch pieces)
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
Pre-heat oven to 400 F. Place eggplant halves in a 9x9 pan, cut sides up. Sprinkle each half with about 1/4 teaspoon salt. Reserve the remaining salt for later use.
In a small skillet over medium heat, saute onions in 2 tablespoons olive oil until translucent, about five minutes. Transfer onions into a small bowl and stir in the tomato, basil, parsley, and remaining salt. Scoop the tomato mixture on top of the eggplant. Pour remaining olive oil into the bottom of the pan, cover with aluminum foil and bake for 10 minutes.
Baste eggplant with the liquid in the pan, then re-cover and bake for 15 more minutes. Baste again and bake until eggplants are soft and tender, uncovered, about 20 additional minutes.
Related:
• Recipe: Dad's Authentic Ratatouille
• A Round-up of Eggplant
• End of Summer Recipe: Grilled Eggplant Topped with Goat Cheese
(Images: Megan Gordon)
Mick Haigh Bowls fr...

Comments (10)
Wow, this looks awesome. I don't think I've ever had eggplant prepared this way, but now I guess I'll have to try it!
Yum, sounds great!
This does look awesome. Maybe a good way to trick my eggplant hating husband into trying it (I love it)
This looks great! I've never been able to figure out a cooking method for eggplant I like & can manage consistently. Do you think a variation of this could work in a slow-cooker on high? I'd love to not heat up my kitchen...
I think the slow cooker could be really interesting...it'll be a little more like ratatouille this way, but still good!
Yummmm, that looks amazing! Got an eggplant in the fridge, tomatoes on the windowsill - I think this needs to be made tomorrow!
Fantastic idea to cook the eggplant like that! I so agree that cooking eggplant can be tricky -- but this looks super easy. Thanks for sharing!
This came out great. Thanks for posting.
Just made this with plum tomatoes and shallots and served over brown rice. Easy and so very delicious!
Just made this too. So yummy. I served mine with Cannellini Beans, Spinach and WW Couscous.