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How do you cook eggplant without deep frying it, so that you maintain its pretty purple color?

Ask Me Anything (Office Hours)

Eric Wynkoop - Ask Me Anything (Office Hours)

Recorded

This event was on July 25, 2023

Join Chef Eric Wynkoop in his virtual office as he welcomes all of your questions. This event was created for you and we encourage you to Ask Anything – from cooking techniques to course-specific questions, to how to turn your cooking passion into profit or simply hearing the perspective of a professional chef, Chef Eric is ready to answer them all.

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Question

Cathy McConnell

How do you cook eggplant without deep frying it, so that you maintain its pretty purple color?

Answer

Those colors, um, uh, oxidize pretty quickly, uh, when exposed to heat. And, you know, the one method that, um, that I'm acquainted with that, that I'll use once in a while is, um, is one where, uh, the eggplant or eggplant pieces are soaked in an acidic solution. And, uh, so vinegar in water, uh, is what I use. And, um, about a tablespoon of vinegar to a cup of water, that ratio. So if it's, if you need to double or triple it, you know, just follow that ratio. Uh, and soaking the eggplant for, um, just a, a minute or two, uh, is typically enough to maintain color. Uh, and then I will steam, uh, the eggplant. Okay? And, uh, hope you'll give that a try and, uh, see, uh, how the results are for you. Thank you.

Eric Wynkoop

Director of Culinary Instruction

Eric Wynkoop previously served as a founding faculty member at The International Culinary School, instructor in anthropology at Portland State University, and Senior Instructor at the Le Cordon Bleu program at Western Culinary Institute, in Portland, Oregon. He holds Master’s Degrees in postsecondary education and cultural anthropology, as well as credentials in Ayurveda wellness and cooking. Eric has spent more than twenty years in the food and beverage industry. His experiences include banquet management, catering, personal chef, winery cellar hand, educator, textbook contributor, consultant, and ethnographer. He also brings food and cultural insight from nearly a decade of residence in Japan, studies in Mexico, and research in India as a Fulbright Scholar. After graduating from the University of Oregon with a dual degree in Japanese and Asian Studies, he went on to receive his formal culinary training at Western Culinary Institute, in Portland, Oregon. Eric’s role with Rouxbe is central to enhancing the student experience through quality course content and new course development at Rouxbe. Eric is also the lead instructor in Rouxbe courses, a role which he has enjoyed since 2016.