Looking for a delicious and easy vegetarian dish that's perfect for a weeknight dinner? Try this fried eggplant and mozzarella recipe. This classic Italian dish features crispy eggplant slices topped with melted mozzarella cheese and a flavorful tomato sauce. It's a simple but satisfying dish that's sure to please everyone at the table.
In this article, you'll find two variations of the recipe: a traditional version made with breaded eggplant and a healthier version made with baked eggplant. Both versions are delicious, so you can choose the one that best suits your dietary needs. You'll also find a recipe for a homemade tomato sauce that's the perfect complement to the eggplant and mozzarella.
Whether you're a seasoned cook or a beginner, you'll be able to make this dish with ease. The recipes are clearly written and easy to follow, and they include helpful tips and tricks for getting the best results. So what are you waiting for? Give this fried eggplant and mozzarella recipe a try today!
CLASSIC EGGPLANT PARMESAN
The whole family will love this classic eggplant parmesan! Slices of tender eggplant coated in homemade breadcrumbs, and then layered with melted cheeses & rich marinara! Whether you'd like to bake or fry the eggplant, this recipe has a method for both.
Provided by Bethany Kramer
Categories Main Course
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Slice eggplant: remove stem from eggplant then slice into 1/4-1/2 inch thick slices.
- Sweat eggplant: arrange slices on pan and sprinkle with coarse salt on both sides. Let sit and "sweat" excess moisture for 10 minutes. Pat firmly with paper towels to dry eggplant thoroughly (wipe off salt as well).
- Breadcrumbs: toast slices of bread. Then chop in food processor until consistency is crumbs. Mix breadcrumbs in a bowl with garlic powder, salt & pepper, Italian herbs, and shredded parmesan cheese. Tip: If you are not making your own breadcrumbs, use 1 1/2 cups of store-bought breadcrumbs instead.
- Bread eggplant: arrange three bowls containing whisked eggs, flour, and breadcrumb mixture. First, coat eggplant in flour on both sides, then dip into eggs, and then dip into breadcrumbs - pack onto eggplant and then gently shake off excess crumbs. Wipe hands with paper towel then repeat. Tip: if baking eggplant instead of frying, brush a sheet pan with 1-2 Tablespoons of oil and arrange breaded eggplant onto pan as you coat them.
- Pan frying method: in a skillet pan, add 1-2 Tablespoons of oil at a time, and cook breaded eggplant for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown. Lay on paper towels to soak up excess oil. Repeat until all eggplant has been fried.Baking method: instead of pan frying you can also bake the eggplant to use less oil. Preheat oven to 350F and arrange breaded slices onto sheet pan that is brushed with 1-2 Tablespoons of olive oil. Bake for 25 minutes until golden.
- Assemble: in a large casserole dish, spread a generous layer of marinara on the bottom. Then layer: eggplant slices, mozzarella, a spoonful of marinara, and shredded parmesan. Repeat an additional layer on top.
- Bake: Then bake at 400F uncovered for 30 minutes until cheese is browned and melted. Top with chopped fresh basil & oregano, and serve!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 403 kcal, ServingSize 1 eggplant parmesan stack, Fat 17.5 g, Protein 25.4 g, Sugar 6.7 g, Sodium 980 mg, Cholesterol 109.1 mg, Carbohydrate 36.6 g
EASY FRIED EGGPLANT
An easy and quick way to prepare eggplant, and tasty too! I serve it with sliced fresh tomatoes, fresh green beans and bread and butter. An inexpensive meal from my childhood and still a favorite!
Provided by WALLEN
Categories Fruits and Vegetables Vegetables Eggplant
Time 35m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 4
Steps:
- Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Dip eggplant slices in egg, then in crumbs, and place in hot oil. Fry 2 to 3 minutes on each side, or until golden brown. Drain on paper towels.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 357.1 calories, Carbohydrate 45.8 g, Cholesterol 139.5 mg, Fat 13.8 g, Fiber 5.1 g, Protein 13 g, SaturatedFat 2.4 g, Sodium 451 mg, Sugar 7.3 g
EGGPLANT AND MOZZARELLA MELT
This is a delicious open-faced sandwich to serve for dinner.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Healthy Recipes Vegetarian Recipes
Time 50m
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 475 degrees. In a shallow bowl, lightly beat eggs with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Spread breadcrumbs in a pie plate or shallow bowl.
- Oil a rimmed baking sheet. Dip eggplant rounds in egg, then dredge in breadcrumbs, turning to coat completely; transfer to prepared baking sheet. Bake (without turning) until golden and tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, split bread lengthwise, and place cut side up on another baking sheet; press gently in centers to create a well. Layer both halves with tomato sauce, eggplant, and cheese. Bake until cheese is browned in spots, 6 to 8 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 481 g, Fat 15 g, Fiber 8 g, Protein 27 g
EASY FRIED EGGPLANT AND MOZZARELLA
Make and share this Easy Fried Eggplant and Mozzarella recipe from Food.com.
Provided by CarrieQuiteContrary
Categories Cheese
Time 1h15m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 5
Steps:
- Place eggplant slices in a large bowl, cover with water and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt. Let soak for 1 hour. Drain and pat dry with paper towels.
- Place beaten eggs in one bowl and breadcrumbs in another.
- Heat oil over medium high heat; enough to cover the bottom of the pan.
- Sandwich 1 slice of mozzarella cheese between two slices of eggplant.
- Dip eggplant slices in egg then in breadcrumbs.
- Place eggplant in hot oil.
- Fry 2-3 minutes on each side until golden brown.
- Drain on paper towels.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 560.1, Fat 37, SaturatedFat 14.2, Cholesterol 173.2, Sodium 1098.7, Carbohydrate 30.4, Fiber 6.1, Sugar 6, Protein 27.6
GRILLED EGGPLANT WITH MOZZARELLA, TOMATOES, AND BASIL
Provided by Food Network
Time 1h15m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Prepare a barbecue (or preheat a broiler). Cut the eggplants into slices about 1/2-inch thick. Spread on a baking sheet and brush with olive oil on both sides. Set aside.
- Cut mozzarella in half crosswise, then slice each half about 1/4-inch thick to create half-moon shaped pieces. Slice tomatoes in the same manner. Arrange tomatoes and mozzarella decoratively around the edge of a large serving platter.
- Place eggplant slices on barbecue (or place on baking sheet in broiler) and cook, turning once, until nicely charred on each side; the eggplant should almost caramelize. Arrange the cooked eggplant down the center of the serving platter, surrounded by the tomatoes and mozzarella. Pluck about 12 large leaves from the basil bunch, stack them, roll them up like a cigar, then slice crosswise into thin shreds (?chiffonade?). Scatter the basil shreds over the vegetables and cheese, then drizzle balsamic vinegar and more olive oil over all. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, to taste, and let stand until eggplant is at room temperature.
THE BEST FRIED-EGGPLANT SANDWICH
In the spring of 2016, my most favorite sandwich was fried eggplant, mozzarella and roast beef on an Italian hero, with hot peppers and a slash of mayonnaise. I adapted the recipe from a sandwich served at Defonte's Sandwich Shop, on Columbia Street in Red Hook, Brooklyn. It is a beautiful torpedo of food, crunchy, silken, sweet and spicy all at once. You can certainly omit the roast beef to make it vegetarian or at any rate a little smaller, the sort of meal that offers satisfaction without hurting anyone, that delivers deliciousness at a lower cost to the body that consumes it. It is still a colossal feed. It is still the best sandwich.
Provided by Sam Sifton
Categories sandwiches
Time 1h
Yield Serves 4
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Line a large, rimmed sheet pan with paper towels. Trim stem end from eggplants, then peel and discard skin. Using a knife or a mandoline, slice the eggplant lengthwise into 3/16-inch-thick slabs. Arrange eggplant in a single layer on a baking sheet. Sprinkle both sides of eggplant with salt. Let stand for approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Pat eggplant dry with paper towels, and stack on a plate.
- Discard the wet paper towels, and replace them in the sheet pan with more, then place a wire rack on top. In a large, deep skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat until it is shimmery. Working in batches, fry the eggplant slabs until just tender, approximately 30 to 40 seconds per side. Transfer fried eggplant to rack to drain. Remove skillet from heat.
- In a large bowl, whisk together eggs and grated Parmesan. Return the skillet to the stove over medium-high heat until the oil is hot again.
- Working in batches, dip drained eggplant into egg batter, then fry in oil until puffed, lightly golden and cooked through, approximately 2 to 4 minutes per batch. Transfer fried eggplant to rack to drain. You can cook the eggplant in advance of assembling sandwiches. Covered, it will keep in the refrigerator for a few days, though the eggplant is best at room temperature.
- Assemble sandwiches. Cut the hero rolls open, then spread each one with mayonnaise. Layer the slices of eggplant onto the bread in equal portions, and top with equal portions of the mozzarella and the sliced roast beef. Add slices of hot cherry peppers to taste, fold the sandwich together and serve.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 1005, UnsaturatedFat 60 grams, Carbohydrate 40 grams, Fat 84 grams, Fiber 10 grams, Protein 28 grams, SaturatedFat 21 grams, Sodium 1249 milligrams, Sugar 12 grams, TransFat 0 grams
EGGPLANT PARMESAN WITH FRESH BASIL AND SMOKED MOZZARELLA
The heavenly, salty, slightly sweet combination of rich tomato-y marinara, crispy creamy fried eggplant, and smoked mozzarella. I'd call this dish transcendent.
Provided by lindseytr0n
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 1h20m
Yield 5
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Line a plate with a paper towel; place a layer of 2 or 3 slices of eggplant onto the towel. Sprinkle eggplant with sea salt. Repeat layers of eggplant sprinkled with salt until all eggplant slices are stacked. Place 2 paper towels onto the stack and place a plate on top of the towels. Lay a heavy book or can of food onto the plate to squeeze out moisture. Allow to drip for 20 minutes to 2 hours. Rinse and pat dry.
- Beat eggs with milk in a shallow bowl. Place bread crumbs into a separate bowl. Dip eggplant slices in the egg mixture and gently press into the crumbs to coat; set aside.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8x8-inch baking dish.
- Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; fry eggplant slices in the hot oil in small batches until golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
- Pour about 1/4 cup of marinara sauce into the bottom of the prepared baking dish and arrange a layer of eggplant slices to cover the sauce. Scatter basil and a few slices of smoked mozzarella cheese over eggplant; repeat layers, ending with a layer of sauce on top. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top.
- Bake in the preheated oven until heated through and the cheese has melted, about 15 minutes. Serve immediately.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 459.6 calories, Carbohydrate 44.7 g, Cholesterol 106.8 mg, Fat 22.2 g, Fiber 9.2 g, Protein 21 g, SaturatedFat 9 g, Sodium 1582.1 mg, Sugar 16.1 g
Tips:
- To ensure the eggplant slices are evenly cooked, cut them into uniform thickness.
- Soak the eggplant slices in salted water for 30 minutes before frying to remove their bitterness.
- Use a generous amount of olive oil when frying the eggplant slices to prevent them from sticking.
- Fry the eggplant slices in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan, which can result in uneven cooking.
- Once the eggplant slices are golden brown and tender, transfer them to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
- Season the eggplant slices with salt and pepper to taste.
- Top the eggplant slices with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese, then bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve the fried eggplant and mozzarella as an appetizer, main course, or side dish.
Conclusion:
Fried eggplant and mozzarella is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as an appetizer, main course, or side dish. It is a great way to use up leftover eggplant and is also a good source of fiber and vitamins. The combination of crispy eggplant, melted mozzarella, and tangy tomato sauce is sure to please everyone at the table. With its simple ingredients and easy-to-follow instructions, this recipe is perfect for busy weeknights or special occasions. So next time you are looking for a quick and tasty dish, give fried eggplant and mozzarella a try. You won't be disappointed!
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