Sizzling Eggplant Caprese Salad Recipe: Crispy Garlic Magic

Eggplant caprese salad dances with Mediterranean flavors, revamping simple ingredients into a vibrant culinary experience.

Silky, roasted eggplant creates a rich foundation for this classic Italian-inspired dish.

Charred edges and tender interiors highlight the vegetable’s incredible versatility and depth.

Fresh ingredients play beautifully against crispy garlic intense aromatics, bringing unexpected texture to each bite.

Creamy mozzarella and bright tomatoes complement the smoky eggplant, creating harmonious flavor layers that tantalize the palate.

aged balsamic adds a luxurious sweetness, elevating the entire composition with sophisticated undertones.

Seasonal produce makes this recipe shine, connecting you to time-honored cooking traditions with remarkable ease.

What Makes Eggplant Caprese with Garlic Stand Out

• Elevate Simple Ingredients: Transform basic eggplant, mozzarella, and tomatoes into a restaurant-worthy dish with minimal cooking skills required.
• Maximize Flavor Techniques: Drawing out moisture from eggplant and crisping garlic creates incredible depth and texture without complicated preparation.
• Quick Gourmet Experience: Prepare this elegant salad in just 15 minutes, perfect for summer gatherings, light lunches, or impressive side dishes that look professionally crafted.

Eggplant Caprese Salad Ingredient Guide

• Eggplant: Fresh and firm eggplant with smooth, glossy skin helps create perfect grilled texture and absorbs flavors well.

• Mozzarella: Creamy, soft cheese that provides a smooth and mild complement to the grilled eggplant.

• Garlic, Basil Leaves: Fresh garlic creates crispy garnish with intense flavor, while basil adds bright, peppery freshness to the salad.

• Tomato Halves: Ripe, juicy tomatoes bring sweet and tangy flavor to balance the dish.

• Sea Salt, Black Pepper: Classic seasonings that enhance and highlight the natural flavors of the ingredients.
• Aged Balsamic Vinegar: Rich, sweet-tart condiment that adds depth and complexity to the salad.
• Olive Oil: High-quality oil for cooking eggplant and adding smooth, rich undertones.

Cooking Instructions for Eggplant Caprese Salad

Step 1: Prepare Eggplant Magic

Slice eggplant into elegant rounds. Sprinkle generously with sea salt and let rest for 10 minutes. This technique pulls out excess moisture, ensuring crispy perfection. Gently blot each slice with paper towels to remove salt and liquid.

• Eggplant
• Sea salt
• Paper towels

Step 2: Sizzle and Brown Eggplant Slices

Warm olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Carefully place eggplant rounds in the pan, creating a golden-brown crust. Cook each side for 3-4 minutes until edges turn crispy and caramelized. Drizzle additional oil if the pan looks dry.

Step 3: Create Crispy Garlic Crunch

In the same skillet, reduce heat to medium-low. Add thinly sliced garlic and cook until edges turn golden and delicate. Watch carefully to prevent burning- these will add a delightful crunch to the salad.

Step 4: Build Flavor Layers

• Fresh mozzarella
• Halved cherry tomatoes
• Fragrant basil leaves
• Crispy garlic bits

Step 5: Finish With Elegant Drizzle

Generously splash aged balsamic vinegar across the salad. Sprinkle with freshly ground black pepper and a pinch of sea salt. Serve immediately while ingredients are warm and vibrant.

Helpful Tips for Eggplant Caprese Success

• Purge Moisture Effectively: Salt eggplant slices to draw out excess water, ensuring a crisp texture and preventing soggy results during cooking.
• Control Oil Absorption: Use a paper towel to pat eggplant dry after salting, reducing oil retention and creating a more delightful, less greasy dish.
• Achieve Perfect Grill Marks: Cook eggplant over medium-high heat, allowing 3-4 minutes per side to develop beautiful caramelization and enhance flavor.
• Layer Strategically: Arrange eggplant slices first, then top with mozzarella, tomatoes, and basil to create a visually appealing and balanced presentation.
• Elevate with Balsamic: Choose a high-quality aged balsamic vinegar to drizzle over the salad, adding depth and a luxurious finish to the dish.

Keeping Eggplant Caprese Tasty

• Refrigerate: Store leftover eggplant Caprese salad in an airtight container within the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep the salad separate from dressing to prevent soggy ingredients.
• Reheat: Gently warm eggplant slices in a skillet over medium-low heat for 2-3 minutes, ensuring they don't become rubbery. Skip reheating mozzarella and tomatoes to maintain their fresh texture.
• Refresh: Before serving leftovers, sprinkle fresh basil leaves and drizzle extra aged balsamic vinegar to revive the salad's vibrant flavors and appearance.

Complementary Dishes for Eggplant Caprese

• Pair with Rustic Italian Red Wine: Chianti Classico offers a perfect balance with its medium acidity and fruity notes that complement the eggplant's rich flavor and the tangy balsamic vinegar.
• Serve with Crusty Sourdough Bread: The crisp, slightly sour bread provides a wonderful texture contrast and helps soak up the delicious balsamic and olive oil from the salad.
• Match with Crisp Pinot Grigio: This light, refreshing white wine cuts through the richness of the mozzarella and eggplant, creating a harmonious and bright dining experience.
• Add Fresh Herb-Infused Olive Oil: Drizzle a homemade basil or oregano-infused olive oil on the side to enhance the Mediterranean flavors and add an extra layer of aromatic complexity to the dish.

Unique Twists on Caprese with Garlic

• Mediterranean Grilled Eggplant: Replace fresh mozzarella with creamy feta cheese and add kalamata olives for an authentic Greek-inspired version.
• Smoky Eggplant Caprese: Use smoked mozzarella and add a sprinkle of smoked paprika to enhance the roasted flavor profile.
• Herb-Infused Eggplant Salad: Incorporate fresh oregano and thyme alongside basil leaves, creating a more complex herbal dimension to the traditional recipe.
• Spicy Roasted Version: Dust eggplant slices with red pepper flakes before grilling and add a drizzle of chili-infused olive oil for extra heat.

Eggplant Caprese Salad With Crispy Garlic & Aged Balsamic Recipe

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4.8 from 21 reviews

• Total Time: 25 minutes
• Yield: 4 1x

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Description

Eggplant caprese salad brings Mediterranean charm to your table with layers of grilled eggplant, fresh mozzarella, and fragrant basil. Crispy garlic and aged balsamic elevate this classic Italian dish, promising a delightful experience you’ll savor with each refreshing bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Vegetables and Cheese:

• 1 large eggplant (aubergine), sliced into 0.5 centimeters (0.2 inches) thick disks
• 8 cherry tomatoes, halved (1 large tomato can be sliced instead)
• 3 ounces (80–90 grams) mozzarella cheese, soft (buffalo mozzarella is best), sliced
• 10 medium basil leaves

Oils and Seasonings:

• 5–6 tablespoons olive oil or macadamia oil, more if needed
• 0.5 teaspoon sea salt
• Extra sea salt and pepper to season

Flavor Enhancers:

• 2 cloves garlic, thinly sliced
• 1 tablespoon aged balsamic vinegar

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Instructions

1. Slice eggplant into uniform rounds, creating a canvas for this Mediterranean-inspired dish. Generously dust with sea salt and allow moisture to naturally release for 10 minutes, which minimizes oil absorption during cooking.
2. Thoroughly blot eggplant slices with paper towels to remove excess moisture, ensuring a perfect caramelized exterior when sautéing.
3. Warm a skillet with olive oil over robust medium-high heat, creating a golden cooking surface for the eggplant. Arrange slices in a single layer, allowing each piece to develop rich, bronzed grill marks.
4. Rotate eggplant slices midway through cooking, ensuring even caramelization and tender interior. Remove once both sides display a deep, appetizing color.
5. In the same heated skillet, quickly toast garlic slivers until they transform into delicate, crisp golden medallions that will provide a crunchy flavor accent.
6. Construct the salad by layering grilled eggplant as a foundational base. Strategically place creamy mozzarella rounds, vibrant tomato halves, and fragrant basil leaves atop each eggplant slice.
7. Finish the composition by scattering crispy garlic fragments across the arranged salad. Elegantly drizzle aged balsamic vinegar, allowing it to cascade over the ingredients.
8. Enhance flavors with a delicate sprinkle of sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper, completing this rustic Mediterranean masterpiece.

Notes

• Salting eggplant helps remove excess moisture, preventing soggy and oil-saturated slices during cooking.
• Cook eggplant on medium-high heat to achieve beautiful grill marks and develop rich, caramelized flavors.
• Use fresh mozzarella for creamy texture and ensure tomatoes are ripe and in-season for maximum sweetness.
• Crispy garlic adds a delightful crunch and intense aromatic punch to the entire salad composition.
• Aged balsamic vinegar provides a luxurious, concentrated sweet-tangy finish that elevates the dish’s complexity.
• Allow eggplant to cool slightly before assembling to prevent cheese from melting and maintain distinct layer textures.

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 15 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Frying
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 4
• Calories: 245
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 20 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 15 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 16 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Protein: 6 g
• Cholesterol: 15 mg