**Eggplant Parmesan Boats: A Delightful Twist on a Classic Italian Dish**
Indulge in the irresistible flavors of Eggplant Parmesan Boats, a culinary masterpiece that combines the best of Italian cuisine with a modern twist. These delectable boats are crafted using tender eggplant slices, skillfully hollowed out and filled with a savory mixture of ricotta, Parmesan, and mozzarella cheeses, creating a symphony of flavors that will tantalize your taste buds. Complemented by a zesty marinara sauce and a golden breadcrumb topping, these Eggplant Parmesan Boats offer a delightful balance of textures and flavors.
This comprehensive recipe guide features three variations of Eggplant Parmesan Boats, each offering a unique culinary experience. The **Classic Eggplant Parmesan Boats** embody the traditional flavors of this beloved dish, while the **Spinach and Artichoke Eggplant Parmesan Boats** introduce a vibrant twist with the addition of spinach, artichoke hearts, and a creamy Alfredo sauce. For those who prefer a fiery kick, the **Buffalo Chicken Eggplant Parmesan Boats** offer a tantalizing blend of buffalo chicken, blue cheese, and a spicy ranch dressing.
With detailed instructions, helpful tips, and stunning visuals, this recipe guide ensures that you can effortlessly create these culinary masterpieces in your own kitchen. Whether you're a seasoned home cook or a novice in the culinary world, these Eggplant Parmesan Boats are sure to become a staple in your recipe repertoire, captivating the hearts and palates of all who indulge in their delightful flavors.
THE BEST EGGPLANT PARMESAN RECIPE BY TASTY
Here's what you need: medium eggplants, coarse salt, all-purpose flour, dried oregano, dried basil, garlic powder, pepper, vegetable oil, marinara sauce, fresh basil, low-moisture mozzarella, shredded parmesan cheese, fresh mozzarella cheese
Provided by Gwenaelle Le Cochennec
Categories Dinner
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Cut each eggplant into about ½-inch (1-cm) thick round slices.
- Arrange the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with paper towels.
- Sprinkle the eggplant with half of the coarse salt. Flip the slices over and sprinkle with the rest of the salt.
- Put another baking sheet on top of the eggplant and place something heavy, like a cast-iron skillet, on the top baking sheet to help release moisture from the eggplant. Let sit for 30 minutes.
- Uncover the eggplant slices and pat dry with paper towels. Brush most of the salt from the eggplant with a paper towel, then transfer to a medium bowl. Set aside.
- In a separate medium bowl, combine the flour, oregano, basil, garlic powder, and pepper. Mix well.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large frying pan until it reaches 375°F (190°C).
- Coat each eggplant slice in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess flour.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Fry the eggplant in batches until golden brown on both sides, 2-3 minutes per side. Drain on a paper towel-lined baking sheet and pat dry using more paper towels to absorb excess oil.
- Pour about 1 cup (260 g) of marinara sauce into a 2½-quart (2 L) baking dish and spread evenly to cover the bottom of the dish.
- Add about 8 eggplant slices (it's okay if they overlap) and cover with ½ cup (130 g) of marinara. Sprinkle with a third of the fresh basil, then top with about a third of the shredded mozzarella and Parmesan. Repeat to make 2 more layers. Finish with the fresh mozzarella cheese and a final sprinkling of Parmesan.
- Bake for 30 minutes, until the mozzarella is bubbling and golden brown.
- Let cool for 10 minutes, then serve garnished with fresh basil.
- Enjoy!
THE BEST EGGPLANT PARMESAN
Truly delicious! I love eggplant and have many recipes, but this one's my favorite. The cheeses and seasonings make this dish unforgettable. -Dottie Kilpatrick, Wilmington, North Carolina
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h50m
Yield 2 casseroles (8 servings each).
Number Of Ingredients 23
Steps:
- In a Dutch oven over medium heat, cook garlic in oil 1 minute. Stir in tomatoes, olives, basil, capers, pepper flakes and pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; simmer, uncovered, 45-60 minutes or until thickened., Meanwhile, for eggplant, place flour and eggs in separate shallow bowls. In another bowl, combine bread crumbs, garlic powder and oregano. Dip eggplant in flour, eggs, then bread crumb mixture., In a large skillet, cook eggplant in batches in oil for 5 minutes on each side or until tender. Drain on paper towels. In a large bowl, combine the eggs, ricotta, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, basil and pepper., Preheat oven to 350°. In each of two greased 13x9-in. baking dishes, layer 1-1/2 cups tomato sauce, four eggplant slices, 1 cup ricotta mixture and 2 cups mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers. Sprinkle each with remaining Parmesan cheese. Bake, uncovered, 35-40 minutes or until bubbly. Let stand 10 minutes before cutting.
Nutrition Facts :
EGGPLANT PARMESAN BOATS
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Halve the eggplant, then use a paring knife to cut vertical and horizontal slits into the flesh about 3/4-inch apart. (You want to create crosshatches across the whole surface without piercing the skin on the other side.) Place the halves on the lined baking sheet flesh-side up.
- Spread a tablespoon of olive oil over each of the halves, then sprinkle both with the Italian seasoning, salt, pepper and garlic powder. Roast until the eggplant is softened and golden brown on top, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove the eggplant from the oven and spread 1/4 cup marinara on each half, then top with the cheeses. Return to the oven and bake until the cheese is golden and bubbling, another 8 to 10 minutes. Allow to cool slightly before serving.
EGGPLANT PARMESAN
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories main-dish
Time 2h15m
Yield about 4 to 6 main course servi
Number Of Ingredients 22
Steps:
- Arrange the eggplant slices on several baking sheets and sprinkle generously all over with kosher salt. Set aside to let the bitter juices weep from the eggplant, about 1 hour.
- Transfer the eggplant to a colander in the sink, and rinse well under cold running water. Transfer eggplant to a work surface and blot very dry with paper towels.
- In a large bowl, whisk together the 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, breadcrumbs, oregano, thyme, and season with pepper.
- Place the flour in a medium lipped plate or bowl. In another medium bowl, whisk the egg and milk together. Dredge an eggplant slice in the flour, then dip it in the egg, and finally dredge it in the breadcrumb mixture. Shake off any excess breading and transfer the eggplant to a baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining eggplant.
- In a large straight-sided skillet, pour the oil to a depth of 1/2 inch. Heat the oil over medium heat until it registers 400 degrees F on a deep frying thermometer. (The oil must be heated to 400 degrees F. so that the breaded eggplant, when added, will drop the temperature of the oil to the proper frying temperature of 375 degrees F.)
- Working in small batches, fry the eggplant slices, turning once, until golden brown, about 3 minutes per batch. Using tongs, transfer to a paper towel-lined baking sheet and season with salt to taste. Repeat with the remaining eggplant.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Lightly brush a 15 x 10- x 2-inch-baking dish with olive oil. Cover the bottom of the baking dish with 1/3 of the marinara sauce and arrange half of the eggplant over the sauce. Cover the eggplant with another 1/3 of the sauce. Scatter half of the Parmesan and half of the mozzarella over the sauced eggplant. Repeat with the remaining eggplant, sauce, Parmesan, and mozzarella. Bake until hot and just beginning to brown, about 30 minutes. Serve immediately.
- Heat the oil in a medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Saute the onion and garlic, stirring, until lightly browned, about 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes and the herb sprigs and bring to a boil. Lower the heat and simmer, covered, for 10 minutes.
- Remove and discard the herb sprigs. Stir in the salt and season with pepper to taste. Use immediately, store covered in the refrigerator for up to 3 days, or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Yield: about 3 1/2 cups
- Copyright 2001 Television Food Network, G.P. All rights reserved
Tips:
- Choose the right eggplant: Look for eggplants that are firm and have smooth, shiny skin. Avoid eggplants that have blemishes or wrinkles.
- Slice the eggplant evenly: This will help them cook evenly. If the slices are too thick, they will take longer to cook and may not get tender.
- Salt the eggplant slices: This will help to draw out the moisture and make them less bitter. Be sure to rinse the eggplant slices thoroughly after salting them.
- Coat the eggplant slices in flour: This will help them to brown nicely in the pan. You can also use breadcrumbs or panko crumbs instead of flour.
- Fry the eggplant slices in hot oil: This will help them to get crispy on the outside and tender on the inside. Be sure to fry the eggplant slices in batches so that they don't overcrowd the pan.
- Use a good quality marinara sauce: This will make a big difference in the flavor of the dish. You can use your own homemade marinara sauce or a store-bought brand that you like.
- Layer the eggplant slices, marinara sauce, and cheese: Be sure to use plenty of cheese so that the eggplant parmesan boats are nice and gooey.
- Bake the eggplant parmesan boats until the cheese is melted and bubbly: This will usually take about 15-20 minutes.
- Serve the eggplant parmesan boats hot and garnished with fresh parsley: This dish is best enjoyed fresh out of the oven.
Conclusion:
Eggplant parmesan boats are a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. They are a great way to use up leftover eggplant, and they can also be made ahead of time and reheated. With just a few simple ingredients, you can create a dish that is sure to impress your family and friends. So next time you're looking for a new and exciting way to cook eggplant, give eggplant parmesan boats a try!
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