Eggplant rewards attention to texture
The idea
Eggplant can be a soft base for a dip, a cooked component of a stew or a distinct vegetable piece. Cutting and cooking choices determine which role it plays. Seeing eggplant in two dish descriptions does not mean the dishes will have the same texture or the same place in the meal.
A practical next step
Try a dip and a vegetable preparation on different occasions. Notice the form of the eggplant rather than only its seasoning.