TURKISH EGGPLANT SIDE DISH (MEZE)

· Cut eggplants into 3/4-inch cubes (about 2-cm cubes), place them in salted water

· After waiting 45 min in salted water, strain and dry eggplant in a kitchen towel.

· Heat oil in a large fry-pan and fry the eggplant until lightly brown on each side, and drain them on paper towel.

· In the other pan, sauté the onions and garlic which are cut in cubes until golden. (please look at the notes)

· Add peeled and cut into small cubes tomatoes and tomato puree to the onions and garlic.

· Add sugar, salt and warm water, and cook about 10 min at low heat.

· Add fried eggplants, and cook about 5-10 min at low heat.

It can be served warm or cool.

You can fry eggplants with olive oil.
If you heat the oil enough, eggplant will not consume much oil.
Use not more than 1 tablespoon olive oil to sauté the onions and garlic, because fried eggplants have enough oil for the meal.
Absolutely use paper towel to absorb extra oil.
After adding fried eggplants and tomatoes to the onion and garlic sauce, just stir one carefully, otherwise eggplants may crush.

Please click on the picture to enlarge !!!!!!!!!