Charlistanbul: Kitchen Discovery: Baked Eggplant Sticks!

Hakkımızda/About Us

Liseli iki yakin arkadas Lara ve Revna uc senedir kesintisiz olarak Istanbul kesiflerine devam eder iken Lara AFS Degisim Programini kazanir, bir seneligine Amerika'nin Charleston sehrinde yasayacaktir.Ancak bu ayrilik maceralarinin ve dostluklarinin bir sonu degil, aksine bir baslangicidir. Revna İstanbul sokaklarinda tirim tirim dolanmayi surdururken, Lara yepyeni bir hayata adim attigi Charleston'daki kesifleriyle Revna'ya meydan okur. Boylece bu iki kafadarin blog uzerinden surdurecekleri kitalar arasi gulunc bir mucadele baslar. Simdi ise aradan iki sene daha gecmis ve bu sefer Lara Fransa'nin Toulose sehrine okumaya gitmistir. Bu yolculuk yeni bir maceranin kapisini daha aralar ve simdi de bu iki arkadasin gerek İstanbul gerek Fransa'daki kesiflerine tanik olup, dostluklarinin renkli anilarini onlarla paylasacaksiniz.

Two high school teens, who are best friends, Lara and Revna were continually exploring the beautiful city Istanbul for three years, until Lara had the opportunity to experience a whole one year in Charleston in the USA by AFS Exchange program. But this separation was not the end of their friendship and explorations, unlike it was a beginning. While Revna was continuing to get around in Istanbul's elegant streets, Lara was challenging her with her discoveries in Charleston. And now, after about two years Lara is going to study in the beautiful city Toulouse in France. This is again another beginning of an adventure for these friends after their funny 'intercontinental' competition. Now their page is dedicated to share the colorful memories of their friendship and their new discoveries both in Turkey and France, especially in İstanbul and Toulouse!

Tuesday, August 26, 2014

Kitchen Discovery: Baked Eggplant Sticks!

Here is a super quick and tasty appetizer recipe:

BAKED EGGPLANT STICKS served with a quick MARINARA SAUCE

All you need is:

1-2 eggplants
a little bit olive oil
salt and pepper for seasoning
2-3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
1 large egg white

For the marinara sauce:
2 cups crushed tomatoes (you can use 2-3 fresh tomatoes and blend them in a food processor)
2-3 cloves garlic (smashed)
2 tablespoons olive oil
salt,pepper to season
1 tablespoon tomato paste (gives a great taste and color)
chopped fresh basil or dried basil
It is not necessary but you can also add one onion

All you need to do:

Preheat the oven. Line baking sheets on a baking tray-so that the eggplants don't stick on the tray!
Cut ends off the eggplant. Slice eggplant in half, then into 1/4 inch thick slices. Cut each slice into 1/4 inch strips. Now you have your finger shaped eggplants. Don't forget to put the eggplant sticks into a bowl full with cold water and some salt and let them wait about 7-8 minutes. Drain them with paper towel and put them this time in another bowl, season with olive oil, salt and pepper. Set aside.
In another bowl combine breadcrumbs and Parmesan cheese.
Dip the eggplant sticks into egg whites, then into the breadcrumbs. Place the sticks on the baking sheets. Sprinkle a little bit more olive oil on the sticks and bake for about 10 minutes. Turn over and bake an additional 10 minutes.

That is how easy it is ! A great appetizer which is delicious and totally healthy as you don't fry them but bake.

BUT you definitely need your marinara sauce to dip these yummy sticks. And this is how you make your marinara sauce:
In a medium pot heat olive oil over medium heat. Add garlic and saute until golden, being careful not to burn. I also added one cup of chopped onions. Add crushed tomatoes, salt and pepper,tomato paste. Stir and reduce heat to low. Cover and let simmer about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and add fresh basil. I did not have fresh basil so I added 3 tablespoons of dried basil in the very last minute and then removed from heat.

Charlistanbul