How to Make Vegan Eggplant Schnitzel
Classically, Schnitzel is a thin slice of light meat such as veal, which is coated in breadcrumbs and then fried. But with the rise in vegetarianism and veganism all over the world, an alternative to this delicious meat dish was necessary. This job was done by eggplants, which proved to be an equally delicious and less time consuming alternative. Less time consuming tends to the fact that in classic schnitzel, the meat is pounded to make it thin but there is no such requirement in eggplant schnitzel. Keep reading this OneHowTo article if you are interested to know how to make vegan eggplant schnitzel.
You'll need:
- 1 large eggplant
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoon wholemeal flour
- 1/3 cup soy milk
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 cup Panko bread crumbs
- Salt and Pepper
- Vegetable oil
Steps to follow:
The first step to make vegan eggplant Schnitzel is to wash the eggplant and trim off the top green part. Then cut the eggplant horizontally so that you get ½ inch round pieces of eggplant. Set aside the eggplant slices.
It's important to note that choosing a fresh and firm eggplant will yield the best results. Fresh eggplants have a glossy skin and feel heavy for their size, which helps in achieving the perfect texture for the schnitzel.
Now you need to make the batter. So, mix together the Dijon mustard, flour, and soy milk in a bowl. If soy milk is not available then you can replace it with plain water. Whisk it till everything combines. Set the bowl aside.
For an enhanced flavor, consider adding a pinch of smoked paprika or a dash of nutritional yeast to the batter. These ingredients add an extra layer of taste that complements the eggplant beautifully.
Now, take the garlic and peel off its outer covering. Then mince it very finely. Take out the panko crumb in a plate and add the minced garlic to it. Season it with salt and pepper.
If Panko crumbs are not available then you can make your own bread crumb using a food processor. Add 3 or 4 bread slices along with the garlic, salt and pepper in the food processor. You can also add some herbs such as thyme in it. Then process it until the bread slices turn into fine bread crumbs. Take out the crumbs in a plate and set it aside.
Adding fresh herbs like parsley or basil to the breadcrumbs can enhance the aroma and flavor of your schnitzel. These herbs provide a refreshing taste that pairs well with the eggplant.
It’s time to prepare the schnitzels.
Take one piece of round eggplant slice and dip it in the batter. Take out the slice from the batter and shake it a bit so that all the excess batter drops off. Place the battered slice of eggplant on the plate filled with bread crumbs. Once the bottom side is coated with crumbs, flip it to coat the other side too.
Set aside this piece of eggplant in a separate plate. Repeat the same process for every slice of eggplant till all are coated well with crumbs.
For a crispier texture, press the crumbs gently onto the eggplant slices. This ensures that the coating adheres well and remains intact during cooking.
Finally it’s time to cook the schnitzel. The eggplant schnitzel can either be grilled or fried.
Grilling
If you want to grill it then take a baking tray and put baking paper on it. Then put all the prepared eggplant slices on the tray in a single layer. Lightly spray oil on it. Grill the eggplant pieces. When the top starts to brown, flip the slices. Once both sides have browned take it off the heat. Your grilled vegan eggplant schnitzel is ready.
Grilling the schnitzels allows them to cook evenly and gives them a delightful smoky flavor. It's also a healthier cooking option as it requires less oil.
Frying
If you like fried schnitzel then put a pan on heat. Drizzle the pan with a good amount of oil. Then add the eggplant pieces. In this process you won’t be able to fry all the pieces at once unless you have a really big pan. So, fry the eggplant slices in batches till both sides are crispy and brown. Your fried eggplant schnitzel is ready!
Frying gives the schnitzel a golden, crispy crust that is irresistible. To ensure even frying, maintain a consistent oil temperature and avoid overcrowding the pan.
If you want to read similar articles to How to Make Vegan Eggplant Schnitzel, we recommend you visit our Recipes category.
