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Posted by / Thursday, July 19, 2012

Easy Eggplant Parmesan


I call this easy eggplant Parmesan because making the sauce is the only really time consuming part in traditional eggplant Parmesan recipes. For this recipe, San Marzano tomatoes straight from the can are used. Certainly on the weekend homemade sauce is in order but for a fairly quick recipe, this really is a winning alternative in my book.


Ingredients:
  • 1 - 32 ounce can of San Marzano chopped tomatoes, poured into a saucepan of simmered onions and garlic. Season with salt, pepper, thyme, oregano and red pepper flakes to taste.  Simmer until ready to use.
  • 2 medium to large eggplants, sliced in 1/4 inch rings
  • 5 eggs, whisked smooth in dipping bowl
  • 1 cup flour, seasoned with pepper in dipping bowl
  • 1 cup panko bread crumbs, mixed with a 1/4 cup of freshly grated parmesan in dipping bowl
  • 1/2 cup olive oil
  • 2 fresh balls of mozzarella, sliced 1/4 inch thick


At this point you really want everything set up and ready to go — cut eggplant, flour, egg wash, and bread crumbs (mixed with parmesan) in a row. It is nice to have tongs and a sheet-pan lined with wax or parchment paper for the finished product. Dip in the order of flour, egg (letting excess drip off), and then bread crumbs until completed.


Heat olive oil in a large pan and begin to fry eggplant, 4 - 5 at a time, careful not to crowd them in the pan. Fry until golden brown on each side, about 4 minutes per side.


If you are making this for a party or for dinner later, I just leave the fried eggplant stacked on the counter as shown above. You could fry your eggplant in the morning for assembly and use later in the day.


When you are ready for assembly, wipe a casserole dish with the olive oil (this will help with the clean up process), and begin layering — starting with a thin layer of sauce, then eggplant, then sauce and then a slice of mozzarella repeating to use up the eggplant and ending with mozzarella on top.  Grate fresh parmesan on top as the final step before the oven.


Preheat your oven to 350 degrees and bake uncovered for 40-45 minutes until cheese just starts to brown.


With such an easy sauce and the frying taking minimal time this could be a weeknight meal with prep time taking about 40 minutes and baking time taking an additional 45.

As I mentioned, eggplants are in the height of their season and what a more wonderful comfort food in the summer as eggplant Parmesan? What are some of your uses for eggplant?  I'm always looking for fresh ideas and uses.

E.A.T. local E.A.T. well 


6 comments:

  1. It's been a long time since I have had eggplant parm. This will be the next meal I eat Thanks it looks just delicious

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you for stopping by. I am getting ready to harvest a bunch of figs in the next week or two. Any tips or recipes are appreciated!

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  2. Looks perfect. It's been years since I have had eggplant... Might have to buy one when I am at the market next!

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    Replies
    1. I hope you do. Let me know if you try the recipe!

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  3. I love, love eggplant parm. It's definitely something I eat on rare occasion because of the calories, but your recipe seems a little lighter and less greasy. I will have to try it.

    Kendra

    ReplyDelete

"Some people eat to live; I live to eat." -Tim Vidra

An avid home cook, I believe in using simple ingredients, local when possible and am inspired by the principles of supporting a sustainable food system. I’ve cultivated this blog as a way to share my passion for the preparation and enjoyment of food in a way that everyone from beginners to long time foodies can get involved in.

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