This Mediterranean eggplant dish has the familiar flavors of a classic ratatouille but with a Mediterranean and Asian-inspired twist.
It’s colorful, aromatic, and packed with ingredients that are true immune-boosting heroes.
Health Benefits of Ginger
Ginger contains potent antioxidants, which can help decrease chronic inflammation. (1) Lowering chronic inflammation helps prevent cardiovascular disease, diabetes, cancer, arthritis, and more. (2) Ginger also packs the heat with its unique flavor profile and aromatic smell.
Tomato Health & Cooking Benefits
The addition of tomatoes adds a burst of delicious flavor, texture, and color to this savory dish. Plus, tomatoes are high in lycopene — an antioxidant that also helps combat cancer risk and heart-related diseases. (3) I love to include tomatoes fresh from my garden for an extra sweet yet earthy taste.
Plant-Based Mediterranean Dish
This dish is for anyone and everyone to enjoy! It’s vegetarian, dairy-free, and can easily be adapted to suit gluten-free needs. Its use of plant-based butter is also a healthier way to maintain the delicious taste of classic butter while minimizing saturated fat content. Depending on the brand, plant-based butter is often made with a combination of oils from olives, soybeans, and avocados. My personal favorite is Earth’s Balance Organic Buttery Spread! Help the planet and your health by incorporating more plant-based foods.
Whether it’s a side dish or the star of the plate, this eggplant ginger dish packs a little heat! The fiber and ginger can help establish a healthy gut microbiome, ultimately contributing to better immunity. Enjoy it alone, or pair it with your favorite plant-based protein, poultry, or meat for a more complete dish.
Mediterranean Eggplant with Tomatoes and Ginger
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Ingredients
- 1 medium Japanese eggplant
- 2 cups tricolor cherry tomatoes
- ½ medium red onion
- 2 tbsp ginger
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp plant-based butter substitute
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
Instructions
- Chop eggplant in half.
- Chop cherry tomatoes thinly into thirds.
- In a hot oiled pan on medium heat, caramelize onions, approximately 5 minutes.
- In a separate pan, cook eggplant. Approximately 3 to 5 minutes.
- Add tomatoes, ginger, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar to eggplant. Mix until ingredients are fully incorporated.
- Toss eggplant mixture with caramelized onions.
- Serve hot.
Notes
Nutrition
References:
- Yunyoung, K. Ginger Extra Suppresses Inflammatory Response and Maintains Barrier Function in Human Colonic Epithelial Caco-2 Cells Exposed to Inflammatory Mediators. Retrieved from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/28369951/
- Pahwa, R., Goyal, A., Bansal, P., & Jialal. Chronic Inflammation. Retrieved from: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29630225/
- Story. E, et al., An Update on the Health Effects of Tomato Lycopene. Retrieved from: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3850026/
