Description
Dive into these Honey-Garlic Eggplant Dippers with Cashew-Lime Cream! Perfect for snacking and impressing at your next gathering, this dish offers a fantastic blend of sweet, savory, and creamy flavors that will leave your taste buds dancing with joy.
Ingredients
Scale
For the Eggplant Dippers:
- 1 medium Eggplant
- 2 tablespoons Honey
- 4 cloves Garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons Olive Oil
For the Cashew-Lime Cream:
- 1 cup Cashews, soaked
- 2 tablespoons Lime Juice
- Salt, to taste
- Water, as needed for consistency
Instructions
- Prepare the Eggplant: Start by slicing the eggplant into thin strips about half an inch thick. This ensures they will cook evenly and become wonderfully crisp.
- Salt the Eggplant: Sprinkle the sliced eggplant with salt and let it sit for about 15 minutes. This process draws out moisture and helps reduce bitterness, ensuring a delectable bite.
- Make the Honey-Garlic Glaze: In a small bowl, mix together the honey, minced garlic, and olive oil. This glaze is what gives the dippers their sweet and savory appeal.
- Rinse and Dry the Eggplant: After sitting, rinse the eggplant slices to wash away the salt, then pat them dry with a kitchen towel. This step is crucial for achieving perfect crispiness.
- Coat the Eggplant: Brush or toss the eggplant strips with the honey-garlic glaze until well coated, ensuring every piece has that delicious flavor.
- Bake the Eggplant: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and arrange the coated eggplant on a baking sheet. Bake for about 25 minutes until golden and crisp, flipping halfway for even cooking.
- Prepare the Cashew-Lime Cream: While the eggplant is baking, blend soaked cashews with lime juice, a pinch of salt, and a bit of water until smooth and creamy. Adjust water for desired consistency.
- Serve and Enjoy! Once the eggplant is perfectly baked, serve it alongside the cashew-lime cream dip for a delightful snack or appetizer that your guests will adore.
Notes
- Use Fresh Ingredients: Fresh garlic and quality honey enhance the flavor significantly.
- Don’t Skip the Salting: This step is crucial to draw out excess moisture from the eggplant.
- Experiment with the Glaze: Feel free to add soy sauce for an umami twist in the glaze.
- Adjust the Dip Consistency: Add more water to the cashew dip if you prefer a thinner consistency.
- Serve Warm: These dippers are best served hot out of the oven for maximum crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4 dippers
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 22g
- Fiber: 4g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg