Cedar-plank grilled eggplant Parmesan is nothing short of genius. The eggplant slices are grilled then added as layers to the Parmesan. Best of all: all that flavor is imbued with the smokiness of the cedar.
These eggplant kebabs are marinated and grilled, tucked into a pita, and smothered with a tangy garlic sauce and assorted veggies. It just happens to be vegan although if you don’t mention it, folks, the meat-eaters among you may forget.
This eggplant shakshuka adds tender sautéed eggplant and Moroccan spice blend, ras el hanout, to this classic poached egg and tomato sauce meal.
This rich, garlicky eggplant caponata, made with zucchini, eggplant, onion, tomato, fennel, and olives is an intensely flavored cross between a side dish and a condiment that pairs beautifully with grilled meats.
Rigatoni with sweet tomatoes, eggplant, and mozzarella is a deceptively easy pasta dinner that tastes much more difficult. Cheesy and filled with silky eggplant, tomatoes, and cream, it also bakes into a magnificent casserole.
Moutabal is usually served cold, as part of a mezze spread, though I harbor a secret preference for the more pronounced flavors of moutabal served warm.
Sambal eggplant is a common, and beloved, dish in Malaysia and Singapore. Made with a handful of ingredients—eggplant, sambal belacan, dried shrimp, and some oil—it's brilliant served over rice for a simple yet satisfying dinner.
This eggplant timbale, a classic Italian dish, is made with pasta, sausage, beef, peas, and smoked mozzarella encapsulated in an eggplant casing. It’s worth every minute of effort.
Hakka eggplant is a gorgeously flavored Taiwanese stir-fry with fresh basil and a sweet-salty hoisin sauce.
These are what you'd call "two-fers." No one loves reheating something they served for dinner a second day, but with two-fers, the leftovers become something totally different. This is one of those recipes: you make the tomato and eggplant soup for dinner one night and use the leftover soup as a pasta sauce the next.
Eggplant stew, called kawaj in Syrian, is simply chunks of eggplants, potatoes, and tomatoes stewed to tender submission. It’s a comforting vegan and vegetarian dish for cold weather.
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