Oven ‘fried’ eggplant with red pepper dip (vegan)

Moist, crispy on the outside, savoury and fantastic dipped in red pepper nayonaise dip. Eggplant has quickly become one of my favourite foods. Entirely by accident. We buy Maccabee brand breaded eggplant fries occasionally. The idea was it was a non-dairy mozzarella stick. Served with marina these things are addictive but greasy, heavy and the twins did not necessarily approve.

**Thing 1 published this by accident, updates and corrections and photos on the way**

Fries are a hit with both kids. For a while they turned up their noses at sweet potato ones but they are into them now. So I made 3 kinds of fries with broccoli sticks as a special meal.  Sometimes it’s fun to play with food. They told everyone who would listen Mummy made them fries for dinner. This makes me incredibly proud, and I am not joking. letting go and not being concerned about the “right” balance (as if there is one) of nutrients is good not just for the kids but for everyone.

So insprired by this frozen junk food, I decided why not make my own unbreaded version (I had already tried breading things with my kids, its not for them unless its a veggie burger.

from wikipedia

Savoury Eggplant Oven Fries

Serves: 4                       Prep time: 10 min                        Cook time: 30 min

Ingredients:
3-4 small eggplants  (you can sometimes find a box of 4 at costco, I got mine from Lufa Farms)
3 tbsp chickpea flour
3/4 tsp paprika
1tsp garlic powder
1 tbsp dried onion
1.5 tsp olive oil
salt to taste (I use 1 tsp)

Method:
preheat oven to 425 and line baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease pan

peel the eggplant then slice into 1/2 cm slices, turning the slices on their side cut into strips.  put the strips into a large bag. I use a zipper seal bag, but even a white kitchen garbage bag will do.

Add all ingredients except the olive oil

seal the bag well trapping as much air inside as possible.  Shake the bag like its therapy. take out all those pent up frustrations.

add olive oil, shake your sillies out again.

lay in one layer on baking sheet and bake for 20 min turn, bake another 10. if they havent crisped up enough, turn heat up to 450 and watch carefully. I find they burn quickly at this temperature.

Don’t forget the dip!