eggplant “fries” with marinara dipping sauce {recipe}

Sometimes, it’s just good to try something new.

Eggplant is the 2nd new-to-me (fruit or) veggie I’ve bought and eaten so far this year. And I know I’ll be experimenting with this one again. The look and feel of it had me a little weirded out at first, but that just goes to show it’s not worth judging something by it’s appearance!

Eggplant “Fries”
with marinara dipping sauce

makes 2-3 servings

ingredients:

1 medium (or 1/2 of a large) Eggplant
2-3 egg whites (about 1/2 cup)
1 1/2 cups whole-wheat breadcrumbs*
oregano and black pepper (optional)

instructions:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.
Cover a large baking sheet with tin foil and lightly spray with cooking spray.
After washing your eggplant, slice it into fry-like shapes.
Pour the egg whites into one small bowl, and place your breadcrumbs in another small bowl. Create an assembly line from the cutting board to the pan.
Dip each fry into the egg whites, then the breadcrumbs, then place onto the baking sheet.
If desired, sprinkle the fries with black pepper and oregano.
Bake for 15-20 minutes (depending on how crispy you’d like them to be).
Enjoy with a bowl of marinara sauce for dipping!

*You can replace the whole-wheat breadcrumbs with any breadcrumbs of your choice, OR you can use part almond meal/flour, part breadcrumbs, which is what I did (3/4 cup panko breadbrumbs + 3/4 cup almond meal).