**Eggplant Parmesan Deconstructed: A Unique Twist on the Classic Italian Dish**
Discover a delightful twist on the beloved Italian classic, Eggplant Parmesan, with our deconstructed version. This modern interpretation retains the essence of the traditional dish while offering a creative and visually stunning presentation. Our recipe guide features three variations: the original Eggplant Parmesan Deconstructed, a lighter Air Fryer Eggplant Parmesan Deconstructed, and a hearty Eggplant Parmesan Pasta Bake. Each recipe provides step-by-step instructions, catering to different preferences and cooking styles. Whether you're seeking a healthier alternative, a quick and crispy option, or a comforting pasta casserole, we've got you covered. Get ready to impress your taste buds and elevate your culinary skills with our deconstructed Eggplant Parmesan recipes.
DECONSTRUCTED EGGPLANT PARMESAN
All the same great flavors as a traditional Eggplant Parmesan Recipe, just deconstructed into a simple, delicious, mediterranean diet inspired, pasta dish.
Provided by Brynn McDowell, RD at The Domestic Dietitian
Categories entree pasta vegetarian
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 11 minutes if using Cavaatppi pasta. Drain pasta and add to a large bowl.
- Add 1 tablespoon of the olive oil to a large skillet over medium heat
- Once the oil is hot, add diced eggplant, 1 tablespoon of dried basil, 1/2 tablespoon dried oregano, 1 teaspoon garlic powder, salt and pepper.
- Stir the eggplant often white sauteing to ensure it doesn't stick to the bottom of hte pan.
- If eggplant is sticking, slowly add a little more olive oil. Don't add to much more or the eggplant will become soggy.
- Saute for about 10 minutes, until eggplant is golden brown and soft, but not soggy.
- Remove from heat and add eggplant to bowl with pasta
- Return same pan to the stove and heat additional 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat
- Add panko breadcrumbs and remaining 1 tablespoon of dried basil and 1/2 tablespoon of dried oregano
- Lightly toast the breadcrumbs, just until golden brown (about 1 minute). Stir constantly to avoid sticking
- Remove pan from heat
- In the large bowl with the cooked pasta and eggplant, add the fresh mozzarella cheese and halved cherry tomatoes. Sprinkle with red pepper flakes
- Add the toasted breadcrumb mixture and parmesan cheese evenly over the pasta
- Garnish with fresh basil
DECONSTRUCTED EGGPLANT MOUSSAKA
Construct a delicious Deconstructed Eggplant Moussaka for dinnertime tonight! Sprinkle your baked eggplant moussaka with parsley for a perfect finish.
Provided by My Food and Family
Categories Sauces & Condiments
Time 1h20m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Heat oven to 375°F.
- Cut eggplant lengthwise in half. Scoop out eggplant flesh, leaving 1/2-inch-thick shells; coarsely chop flesh.
- Cook chopped eggplant and onions in nonstick skillet on medium-high heat 5 min., stirring frequently. Add meat; cook until evenly browned, stirring occasionally. Stir in tomato and basil sauce; bring to boil, stirring frequently. Simmer on medium-low heat 10 min. or until slightly thickened, stirring occasionally. Stir in cinnamon and 3 Tbsp. parsley.
- Place eggplant shells, cut sides up, on rimmed baking sheet; fill with meat mixture. Top with Alfredo sauce and cheese.
- Bake 30 to 35 min. or until eggplant mixture is heated through and cheese is lightly browned. Sprinkle with remaining parsley.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 220, Fat 10 g, SaturatedFat 4.5 g, TransFat 0 g, Cholesterol 40 mg, Sodium 660 mg, Carbohydrate 0 g, Fiber 5 g, Sugar 0 g, Protein 15 g
DECONSTRUCTED EGGPLANT PARMESAN
"Deconstructed" dishes are so very fun to make and elegant looking. In this recipe, the eggplants are cooked without breading, covered in ricotta, fresh sauce, mozzarella, and then the whole thing is topped with toasted bread crumbs. Adapted from Melissa Clark, Food Editor, New York Times.
Provided by threeovens
Categories Cheese
Time 1h
Yield 6-8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- To prepare the eggplant, sprinkle with about 1/2 teaspoon salt and let stand, in a colander, about 20 minutes; drain, pat dry, and season with salt and pepper.
- Heat some of the oil in a large skillet, over medium high heat, and cook eggplant, undisturbed, until golden, about 4 minutes; flip and cook an additional 3 to 4 minutes (you'll need to do this in a single layer and in batches).
- Drain eggplant on paper toweling; repeat until all the eggplant is cooked.
- Turn heat down to medium, add 3 tablespoons of oil and add 4 garlic cloves; cook until golden, about 2 minutes.
- Add tomatoes and oregano; cook, breaking up the tomatoes, until they start form a sauce, about 15 minutes.
- Add basil and 4 tablespoons Parmesan; simmer 5 minutes more.
- Meanwhile, heat a small skillet, over medium heat, add 1 tablespoon oil, mince the remaining garlic and add to the skillet, along with the bread crumbs; toast, stirring, until bread crumbs just start to brown, about 2 minutes.
- Remove from heat and stir in 1 tablespoon Parmesan; season with a pinch of salt.
- To serve, arrange eggplant on a large platter and spoon dollops of ricotta over, then top with sauce; scatter bread crumb mixture over sauce, top with mozzarella and garnish with basil leaves, then drizzle with oil.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 370.9, Fat 32.7, SaturatedFat 6.9, Cholesterol 18.1, Sodium 393.4, Carbohydrate 14.1, Fiber 4.6, Sugar 5.2, Protein 7.9
DECONSTRUCTED ROASTED EGGPLANT PARMESAN
Make one of your favorite Italian dishes, Eggplant Parmesan, at home in half the time. It's healthier too since it's baked and not fried!
Provided by Carrie's Experimental Kitchen
Categories Main Entree
Time 40m
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees F.
- Add the eggplant, garlic, oil, salt and pepper to a bowl and mix together.
- Place mixture on a baking sheet and bake for 15-20 minutes; turning halfway. Remove from the oven and reduce oven to 350 degrees F.
- Add the roasted eggplant mixture back to the bowl, add 3/4 cup of the cheese, sauce and breadcrumbs; mix well.
- Place mixture in an oven safe 2 quart baking dish and sprinkle the top with the remaining cheese.
- Bake for 15-20 minutes or until the cheese has melted and is bubbling.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 218 kcal, Carbohydrate 22.8 g, Protein 4.3 g, Fat 12.6 g, Sodium 588 mg, Fiber 6.1 g, Sugar 8 g, ServingSize 1 serving
DECONSTRUCTED EGGPLANT PARMESAN SANDWICH
Provided by Jeff Mauro, host of Sandwich King
Categories main-dish
Time 1h45m
Yield 4 sandwiches
Number Of Ingredients 17
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with a silicone liner and another baking sheet with a wire rack.
- For the eggplant: In a bowl, toss the tomatoes with the balsamic vinegar, olive oil, brown sugar and some salt. Evenly place the tomatoes on the lined baking sheet. Place in the oven and roast until slightly caramelized and dried out a bit, 20 to 30 minutes. Set aside.
- Set the eggplant slices on the wire rack (if you don't have a rack you can use a colander set in the sink). Sprinkle salt on each side of the eggplant and let the salt do the work for 15 to 30 minutes.
- Once the salt has released moisture from the eggplant, pat the slices dry with paper towels. Then sprinkle each side of the eggplant with pepper.
- Set up a standard breading station with the flour in one shallow dish, the eggs in another and the panko mixed with the Parmesan in a third dish. Dredge each eggplant slice in the flour, shake off any excess, dip in the egg, let any excess drip off and then coat in the panko. Set aside on the wire rack and repeat.
- In a large cast-iron skillet, heat 1-inch vegetable oil to 350 degrees F.
- Working in small batches, fry the eggplant slices, turning once, until golden brown, 3 to 5 minutes a side. Using a pair of tongs, transfer back to the wire rack. Repeat with the remaining eggplant. Make sure to season the eggplant as it comes out of the oil.
- For the sandwich build: Butter and griddle both sides of the buns until golden and crispy (you can toast the buns as well). Tear the burrata over the bottom buns, then add 2 hot eggplant slices, some roasted tomatoes, a few pickled cherry peppers and some fresh basil leaves on each bun. Serve to applause.
EGGPLANT PARMESAN CASSEROLE
I really like this recipe. It's a lot easier and fewer calories than traditional fried eggplant Parmesan.
Provided by Chef John
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 1h20m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Cut 5 crosswise slices from center area of each eggplant, about 1/2-inch thick, to total 10 slices. Peel and dice remaining pieces of eggplant.
- Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until oil is very hot. Sprinkle eggplant slices lightly with a pinch of salt and cook in hot skillet in batches until slightly softened, about 3 minutes per side. Set eggplant slices aside on paper towels.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in skillet and cook garlic for about 10 seconds; add diced eggplant and season with a pinch of salt and red pepper flakes. Saute until eggplant is softened, about 5 minutes. Pour in marinara sauce and water. Turn heat to medium-low and cook until eggplant is tender, about 15 minutes; stir occasionally. If sauce gets too thick, add a little more water.
- Combine ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, pepperjack cheese, a pinch of salt, and a pinch black pepper in a bowl until thoroughly combined. Spread about 2 tablespoons cheese mixture over each eggplant slice. Fold eggplant slices in half to enclose the cheese mixture.
- Spread about half the sauce into an 8x8-inch baking dish. Lay folded eggplant slices in a single layer into the dish. Spread remaining sauce over eggplant slices.
- Combine bread crumbs, 1/2 cup Parmesan cheese, and 2 tablespoons olive oil in a bowl; mix thoroughly. Spread crumb mixture over eggplant casserole.
- Bake in the preheated oven until casserole is bubbling and crumbs are browned, 35 to 40 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 397.4 calories, Carbohydrate 41.1 g, Cholesterol 20.1 mg, Fat 21.4 g, Fiber 11.6 g, Protein 12.7 g, SaturatedFat 6 g, Sodium 905.9 mg, Sugar 17.3 g
JAMIE OLIVER'S EGGPLANT PARMESAN
This recipe is an adaptation of one found in Jamie Oliver's book, "Jamie's Italy." It's a healthier version than the traditional Italian-American juggernaut; it omits breading and frying the eggplant, and instead calls for roasting the eggplant until golden brown.
Provided by Marian Burros
Categories dinner, weekday, main course
Time 1h45m
Yield 4 to 5 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Brush both sides of eggplant slices with oil, and place in a single layer on two or more baking sheets. Bake until undersides are golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes, then turn and bake until other sides are lightly browned. Set aside. Reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees.
- Meanwhile, in a large saucepan over medium heat, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and add onion. Sauté until soft, about 10 minutes. Add garlic and dried oregano and sauté another 30 seconds. Add tomatoes and their juices, breaking up whole tomatoes with your hands. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 15 to 20 minutes.
- Add vinegar, basil and salt and pepper to taste. Into a 9-by-9-inch, 10-by-5-inch or 10-by-6-inch baking pan, spoon a small amount of tomato sauce, then add a thin scattering of parmigiano, then a single layer of eggplant. Repeat until all ingredients are used, ending with a little sauce and a sprinkling of parmigiano. In a small bowl, combine bread crumbs and oregano, if using, with just enough olive oil to moisten. Sprinkle on top. If desired, recipe can be made to this point and refrigerated. Bring to room temperature before baking.
- Bake until eggplant mixture is bubbly and center is hot, 30 to 45 minutes depending on size of pan and thickness of layers. Remove from heat and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Recipe can also be reheated.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 268, UnsaturatedFat 8 grams, Carbohydrate 36 grams, Fat 12 grams, Fiber 13 grams, Protein 10 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Sodium 1283 milligrams, Sugar 18 grams
EGGPLANT PARMESAN II
This is a no fry variation of this popular dish, and is just as delicious!
Provided by Dolores Gentner-Ryan
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 1h
Yield 10
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Dip eggplant slices in egg, then in bread crumbs. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven for 5 minutes on each side.
- In a 9x13 inch baking dish spread spaghetti sauce to cover the bottom. Place a layer of eggplant slices in the sauce. Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Repeat with remaining ingredients, ending with the cheeses. Sprinkle basil on top.
- Bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until golden brown.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 487.4 calories, Carbohydrate 62.1 g, Cholesterol 72.8 mg, Fat 16 g, Fiber 8.8 g, Protein 24.2 g, SaturatedFat 6.7 g, Sodium 1663.1 mg, Sugar 19.9 g
Tips:
- Choose the right eggplant. Look for eggplants that are firm and heavy for their size, with smooth, unblemished skin.
- Slice the eggplant evenly. This will help it cook evenly.
- Don't overcrowd the pan when frying the eggplant. This will prevent it from getting soggy.
- Use a good quality marinara sauce. This will make a big difference in the flavor of the dish.
- Don't overcook the eggplant. It should be tender but still have a little bit of bite to it.
- Serve the eggplant parmesan immediately. This dish is best enjoyed hot and fresh.
Conclusion:
Eggplant parmesan is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish. It's a great way to use up leftover eggplant, and it's also a good option for vegetarians and vegans. With a few simple tips, you can make a delicious eggplant parmesan that will impress your family and friends.
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love