Tuesday, July 15, 2008

Eggplant Tacos

I seem to buy an eggplant, only to have it get mushy before I have a chance to eat it.  I always have big plans to make dip or some kind of pasta dish.  Yet time after time, those aubergine beauties go the way of the garbage can.  Not so today!  OK, today's specimen was on the verge of badness.  One more day and that sucker was mush.  I had to discard most of it, but there was just enough for tacos.  I'm not sure where the idea came from, but I figured I had nothing to lose trying it out.  I made them with ingredients that I had on hand, pantry spices and veggies in the crisper.  And the results?  Pretty darn good, if I may say so.  Alreay a whole slew of ideas for modification or embelishment are floating through my brain.


Eggplant Tacos


1-2 T oil (I used grapeseed due to it's neutral flavor)

1 clove garlic, minced (add more if you like)

1 t ground cumin

1/4 t cinnamon

1/4-1/2 t chipotle chili powder (or to taste)

1-2 cups diced eggplant, salted and sweated

1 small-medium sized yellow or red bell pepper

salt


Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high heat.  Add garlic, cumin, cinnamon, and chili powder, tossing in the oil to disperse flavor and toast the spices.  Add eggplant and bell peppers.  Saute until veggies are tender, approx 5-10 minutes.  Season with salt to taste.  Put filling in corn tortillas and top with sour cream and green onion. 



Other optional granishes:  fresh cilantro, diced tomato, shredded cheese

*This would also make an excellent filling for veggie burritos. 



This was such a simple recipe, but it can pack quite a punch.  It is easy to modify the spices to your own palate (mild all the way up to mouth burning goodness.)  The cinnamon gives the filling such a unique flavor.  The tacos by themselves are a great snack or a light meal.  For a full meal you can serve them with rice and beans.

12 comments:

Jasmine said...

That looks grand! Tonight was taco night here, as a matter of fact. See my eggplant recipe? You'll need the littlest ones you can find!

Anonymous said...

That sounds absolutely delicious! I love the toasting of the spices before adding the food. A technique that is very under-utilized, in my opinion.

Marlow said...

I can't wait to try these!

betsinator said...

hey! i love your blog. It so nice to meet a fellow chicagoan with celiacs. Its great we live in Chicago where there's places like roses and adobo grill (have you been there?) I was diagnosed about a year ago and this year has definitely been filled with a TON of changes, getting married, buying a house and moving to the burbs, changing friends, and i think that having celacs totally made those changes a lot harder than they should have been! THanks for sharing your thoughts and i can attest that i have definitely felt the same frustrations you have!

Unknown said...

This sounds great. I am the same way with eggplant. I plan on making a dish and the next thing you know, my thumb goes right through it. I am definitely going to bookmark this recipe and try it out soon!

GFree_Miel said...

I don't have much experience with eating eggplant, but that looks delicious!

Anonymous said...

Wow those look great! I have been gluten free for a couple of months and am always looking for new recipes to try. Thanks!!

I have recently launched a site called peoplemd.com. You can find all sorts of great information on everything from gluten free recipes to diet and exercise and so much more. Our users save their favorite health sites and share them with everyone. I think you guys would like it.

Anonymous said...

I love the idea of these tacos.

Where have you been? Long time, no post. :)

Kathy G said...

These look great! I will have to try them in my attempt to eat less poultry & meat in the upcoming weeks.

: )

A. said...

Aren't eggplants lovely little things? I bought an eggplant plant on impulse last summer because, well, baby eggplants are ridiculously adorable.

Allison

Kristen O'Sullivan said...

I tried it last night. My boyfriend loved it. Check out my blog for gluten-free recipes. http://celiactivism.blogspot.com

Carrie A Ryman said...

Yummy! I have to try those eggplant tacos! I don't have Celiac disease (been tested) but I have battled digestive issues in the past and really like your site. I hope you get a chance to read a story I wrote about it:
http://carrieryman.blogspot.com/2011/09/tummy-trouble-solved.html

Toodles,
Carrie