<< 1. Lay the eggplant slices on some paper towels and sprinkle with salt. Leave them to drain of their bitter juices for 30 minutes, then pat dry with more paper towels. >> Personally I never do this, even though I always see in recipes that it is the first step. I don't think that eggplants are "bitter". Besides, this is too much trouble for me anyway, and "God" meant for us to eat the eggplant "as it is". Rob