Quick question 'bout that eggplant "bacon"...

[Rawkinlocs]

Hey all, Erica, if you're reading I'd love to hear from you since I know you make this quite a bit for your food service...

When yall make the eggplant bacon, do you remove the seeds? I never have but sometimes those big 'ole seeds kinda turn me off from eating it and I end up eating around them when I make this. I'm asking 'cause whenever I see pictures of the "bacon" that someone has made, I never see those seeds in it.

If you DO remove them, is there a simple way to do it? I have an eggplant here just waiting to be "baconized" but I wanted to ask this first and get some feedback. Thanks! :D

[sweetpea76]

i've made this before and didn't take out the seeds. it still turned out great! In fact, during the dehydration process the seeds shrank A LOT and I didn't even notice them!

Good Luck:D

[Rawkinlocs]

Thanks for the reply Sweetpea! Hmmm...I must be slicing too thinly or something because when I dehydrate it, those seeds seem to become magnified as the eggplant itself "shrinks" down in size!

[SchoolOfRAWk]

Nope, I don't. I make slices with the seeds. After it marinates and browns, you really do not notice it at all. I use a potato/veggie peeler and try to make it a thicker piece. I also mince the bacon up for the pizza toppings, though, too. "Bacon bits" kinda. But they are perfectly fine to ingest, and seeds usually are super-nutritious (or super-deadly - lol!!!)

[Rawkinlocs]

Thanks Erica! Maybe I need to just slice thicker then. It IS a pain trying to remove the seeds.

But I'm just so surprised you don't remove them because looking at this photo of your cheddar BLT, it doesn't look like there are any seeds at all...looks just like...bacon!

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o46/ertarox/blt007.jpg

MAN...I just wanna reach through this screen and eat that sandwich!

[weezieworks]

This looks way too yummy! Where is this "bacon" recipe located? I want to try this!

[Rawkinlocs]

Hi Weezieworks,

Here is the recipe as I've always seen and made it:

Bacon, Why Not

1 large eggplant, thinly sliced lengthwise
3/4 c. oil
1 tsp. cayenne
2 Tbl. honey
4 Tbl. Ume Plum Vinegar

Marinate for 2 hours. Place on teflex sheets and dehydrate for 9 hours. Turn bacon over and dehydrate another 9 hours.

But here is a slightly different version as posted by SchoolofRAWK and the one I just made yesterday...SOOO good! I had started adding a little liquid smoke before and using the above recipe, but this time I did pretty much the one below with a few minor modifications as I noted:

Bacon
1 large eggplant peeled and thinly sliced lengthwise. (wide veggie-peelers work)
Marinate in a mixture of:
3 Tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon black pepper
2 Tablespoons maple syrup (rawkinlocs note: you can sub with agave if you want)
3 Tablespoons Ume Plum vinegar (rawkinlocs note: I was out of this, so I used nama shoyu instead)
2 Tablespoons Apple cider vinegar
1 Tablespoon liquid smoke (rawkinlocs note: I didn't use this amount...only one small capful and it was quite enough...I've learned in the past that too much of this makes it bitter once dehydrated...at least in MY experience)
Marinade for 2 or more hours. . . I like 6 or so. Spread them out on the teflex and dehydrate for 8 hours and then turn the "bacon" and dry another 8 hours.

[Beckla]

Yeah - I made it recently for my "rawmboli" recipe and didn't remove the seeds. Tasted delicious.

[portiz]

Thanx a bunch for the recipes!! I had bought a real pretty eggplant a couple days ago and hadn't had the time to look for the recipe (couldv'e sworn it was in Alissa's book). But I'm glad this thread came along...guess what I'll be doing tonight??

Thanx for the substitution notes, Rawkinlocs...I had never heard of Ume Plum Vinegar before this. I'll have to look into that later on next week. :D

[Beckla]

They sell the ume plum stuff in the aisle with asian foods and supplies.

When I made it, I literally blotted it like you would SAD bacon by laying it between some paper towel sheets and letting it dry some. Also important to note that I peeled part of the eggplant before I sliced it, but it's much better, I think, not to - more like sad bacon.

Enjoy!

[Rawkinlocs]

Thanks for the feedback everyone!

So, I did end up making it and I sliced thicker and it was great! My dh ate most of it up so I'll be getting probably a couple more eggplants to make more this weekend. The kids tried it...well the two older ones anyway. Son said it tasted like "vegetable fruit leather" and gave it a thumbs down and daughter said it tasted like eggs (not sure where she got THAT from) and also gave it thumbs down. But dh said it reminded him of jerky and he liked it a lot. So, I'll make it for us :D Like you, Beckla, I like to leave the skin on too!

Here's a picture of mine:
http://i182.photobucket.com/albums/x57/rawkinlocs/epbakon.jpg

[spiralgirl]

Rawkinlocs,

Thanks for posting these recipes. I too leave my seeds in my eggplant and the skin on. I've made another version of this but these two look great and I have some eggplant in the fridge to use up too. :D

[exurb]

Hi Rawkinlocs :)

If an eggplant has seeds it is too old (grown too long not stale) and past its prime. It's not "bad" or "off", but it was grown too long on the plant to get a big eggplant.

If you try to buy younger eggplant, they will not have as pronounced seeds, or no seeds at all.:)

You might have more luck with the long narrow Thai type eggplants if they're not too big and they're kind of ready in the shape of bacon too. Or try to get the smallest eggplants when you're choosing from a bunch.

If you've got an old eggplant with seeds, you can also salt it and wait for it to emit water for the bitter to come out, then rinse off the excess salt.

Too bad you're not closer to our garden, hubby grew so many eggplant we can't keep up! I'm not complaining though!

[Rawkinlocs]

Spiralgirl, let us know how it turns out!

Exurb, thanks for that tip! :) I've see those narrow ones as well as smaller baby ones so next time, I'll try those out!

[queenfluff]

I have a variation of the bacon recipe too that I make. I came up with this variation to make it less spicey (less cayenne). Here it is if anyone if interested:

http://www.goneraw.com/recipes/418-Raw-Bacon-

[Stina]

I'm not familiar with liquid smoke. Is that something I could find in a "normal" grocery store? I've never seen such an item in a health food store. thanks, this recipe looks good.....

[Rawkinlocs]

I'm not familiar with liquid smoke. Is that something I could find in a "normal" grocery store? I've never seen such an item in a health food store. thanks, this recipe looks good.....

This brand is the most "natural" brand though still NOT raw: http://www.colgin.com/public/lsfaq.aspx and can sometimes be found in health/natural food stores.

There are some in regular stores as well, check the back of the bottle as some have shorter ingredients lists than others.

I feel odd posting about this on here, but since it's already been brought up and I'm letting yall know as a disclaimer that it's not a raw product. This recipe can be made without this added ingredient, but for me (not being a purist) I like to add just a tiny bit, like a capful, to my marinade for that extra flavor boost. But I've been just as happy with using Nama Shoyu added to the recipe and then it's more like some sort of jerky.

[Stina]

Hey Rawkinlocs-

First of all, thanks for the feedback. I located some liquid smoke. Yeah, I agree with Alissa's approach to eating raw food concerning some of the flavorings like Nama Shoyu. I just don't know if I could eat raw if I didn't make it taste really good and little stuff like that helps immensely.


Hey Anyone else have as much difficulty as I did simply trying to peel the thing in long strips? It wasn't as easy as I thought. Not that the shape matters, really. I've got some marinating now and I'm looking forward to my "bacon." I'm sure it will taste good to me. Since I'm eating all raw, anything raw tastes really really good, if you know what I mean!

[Stina]

Oh! I'm surprized at how good this is! I'm out of control eating it.....maybe I can do this raw thing if food tastes this good!:)

[Davylp25]

I gotta try this asap. Question? What do eggplants look like? hehe...

[Rawkinlocs]

I gotta try this asap. Question? What do eggplants look like? hehe...

R U serious? Seriously...are ya? (and stop ignoring/avoiding what I asked you in that email, Mister!)

If so, here's one... http://www.bfeedme.com/wp-content/uploads/2006/04/Eggplant.jpg

[Rawkinlocs]

Hey Rawkinlocs-

First of all, thanks for the feedback. I located some liquid smoke. Yeah, I agree with Alissa's approach to eating raw food concerning some of the flavorings like Nama Shoyu. I just don't know if I could eat raw if I didn't make it taste really good and little stuff like that helps immensely.


Hey Anyone else have as much difficulty as I did simply trying to peel the thing in long strips? It wasn't as easy as I thought. Not that the shape matters, really. I've got some marinating now and I'm looking forward to my "bacon." I'm sure it will taste good to me. Since I'm eating all raw, anything raw tastes really really good, if you know what I mean!

My sentiments exactly!

As for peeling into long strips, I don't peel into strips, I just cut slices and then I cut the wide slices in half to make sorta strips.

[Stina]

Eggplants are strangely.....sensual!

[diali36]

mmm... so glad I found this, blt's here I come!

[trinity082482]

http://i117.photobucket.com/albums/o46/ertarox/blt007.jpg

MAN...I just wanna reach through this screen and eat that sandwich!

Me too!! :eek:

[dani_b]

this is interesting. i've never had eggplant. i didnt know you can eat it raw. you have to peel the eggplant right? would this recipe work okay without a dehydrator since i dont have one?

[razzleberry]

wondering where you all go to get your liquid smoke?

i'm in New Zealand, so i've got to try find a place that would sell a substitute.

thanks :)

[subbacultcha]

Do you think I could sub zucchini for the eggplant?

[spiralgirl]

Rawkinlocs,

I make this about once a week as it's one of my favourite recipes and I never take the seeds out of remove the skin either. Also I use your tip and use Braggs (we don't have Nama Soyu here) for the Ume Plum Vinegar part and it's so good.

[spiralgirl]

I gotta try this asap. Question? What do eggplants look like? hehe...

Davylp25,

Make this pronto, it is insanely good and you will be wondering why you haven't tried it sooner. I can't stop eating this. About to make some now.

[ocean spray]

Have a craving for a BLT? This looks so good! Will be making it this week.

[wyjoz]

Here is one more recipe for 'bacon'

Eggplant Bacon: By Matthew Kenney
Yield 15-20
I can't claim to understand how Kristen came up with this brilliant garnish, but it's incredibly complex, interesting, and actually delicious. It keeps well, so feel free to make it a day or two ahead and use it with any breakfast-type item or even to make your own version of a raw Cobb salad.
1 large eggplant, thinly sliced, lengthwise
1 tablespoon sea salt
1/2 dried chipotle chile, soaked for at least 2 hours
1/2 cup soaking water from chipotle chile
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons nama shoyu
2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
1 teaspoon chili powder
1/2 teaspoon paprika
1/2 teaspoon cumin
Pinch black pepper
Pinch cayenne
Toss eggplant and sea salt in a large bowl and let sit 1-2 hours. Blend remaining ingredients in Vita-Mix and place in a medium bowl. Squeeze liquid from eggplant and add slices to bowl with marinade. Allow eggplant to marinate 30-45 minutes. Spread slices on dehydrator screens. Dehydrate 24-36 hours until crisp and cut into sizes as desired

[gingincal]

I guess it's BACK to the store tomorrow...must have eggplant now. :D

[Riiiya]

mmmm i want this eggplant bacon so much! tried it for the first time this weekend at Cousin's in Chicago and it was totally AMAZING!

i need a dehydrator :S or perhaps there's a way i can just sun-dry those?

[beckx]

i know this is an old thread but...

when i make mine, i usually soak the eggplant slices in salted water a couple of times before marinading. when you squeeze out the soak water, its brown and lots of the little seeds come out. i don't personally mind eating the seeds but doing this does take out some of the bitterness.

[GlimR]

I haven't made this in so long I forgot how good it is. I have two eggplants marinating and am going to try doing a zucchini too like jerky. Yummy stuff!!:)

[Raene]

You know, I used to make this all the time and and just eat it without dehydrating. The other day I made it and dehydrated...it wasn't near as good! So much better fresh and raw...

[lsadeseyens]

rawkinlocks,

You wrote,

When yall make the eggplant bacon, do you remove the seeds? I never have but sometimes those big 'ole seeds kinda turn me off from eating it and I end up eating around them when I make this. I'm asking 'cause whenever I see pictures of the "bacon" that someone has made, I never see those seeds in it.


If you have ever seen it, you might try the japanese eggplants. They are narrower and longer than regular eggplants, with much smaller seeds. Bacon might come out in kinda narrow strips, I don't know, as I haven't tried it. I used to eat japanese eggplant when I was SAD. I used to buy then in the asian markets near my house, but I think that a place like whole foods, or a health food store might have them. You might look around and see if these work for a more seedless bacon. Good luck.:)

Linda

[ncadotte]

I can't remember which recipe I used, but it was a little too sweet for me. Anyone else think so? Is it necessary to use a sweetener? Also I know whatever recipe I used called for Ume Plum Vinegar and I didn't have that so I used ACV. What's the difference between the two?

Thanks!