Eggplant and Basil Pizza

This Eggplant and Basil Pizza combines the rich flavors of roasted eggplant with fresh basil, offering a deliciously unique twist on traditional pizza. It’s a delightful fusion of Vietnamese and Italian cuisines, perfect for a light yet satisfying meal.

Ingredients

• Pizza dough - 200 grams
• Eggplant - 1 medium (about 250 grams)
• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
• Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
• Fresh basil leaves - 1/2 cup, chopped
• Mozzarella cheese - 100 grams, shredded
• Soy sauce - 1 tablespoon
• Salt - to taste
• Black pepper - to taste
• Red chili flakes - 1/2 teaspoon (optional)

Steps

1. Preheat your oven to 220°C (425°F).
2. Slice the eggplant into 1/2 cm thick rounds and sprinkle with salt. Let them sit for about 10 minutes to draw out moisture.
3. Rinse the eggplant slices under cold water and pat them dry with paper towels.
4. In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat and add the minced garlic. Sauté until fragrant (about 1 minute).
5. Add the eggplant slices to the skillet and cook until they are tender and slightly golden, about 5-7 minutes. Stir occasionally.
6. Remove the skillet from heat, drizzle the soy sauce over the cooked eggplant, and mix in the chopped basil. Season with black pepper and red chili flakes if using.
7. Roll out the pizza dough on a floured surface to your desired thickness and transfer it to a baking sheet or pizza stone.
8. Spread the shredded mozzarella cheese evenly over the pizza dough.
9. Top the cheese with the sautéed eggplant and basil mixture, spreading it out evenly.
10. Drizzle the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over the top.
11. Bake in the preheated oven for 12-15 minutes, or until the crust is golden and the cheese is bubbly.
12. Remove from the oven, let cool for a minute, slice, and serve hot.

Nutrition

• Calories: 400
• Protein: 12 g
• Carbs: 45 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Sugar: 3 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Cholesterol: 30 mg
• Total Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Water: 0.2 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in antioxidants from eggplant, which may help reduce the risk of chronic diseases.
• Fresh basil has anti-inflammatory properties and adds aromatic flavor without extra calories.

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