**Mamma Agata's Eggplant Parmigiana: A Culinary Journey to Italy**
Embark on a delectable gastronomic adventure with Mamma Agata's Eggplant Parmigiana, a classic Italian dish that captures the essence of Southern Italian cuisine. This hearty and flavorful dish features layers of tender eggplant, smothered in a rich tomato sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese, creating a symphony of textures and flavors. The eggplant, sliced and lightly fried to golden perfection, provides a delightful contrast to the soft and creamy mozzarella, while the tangy tomato sauce adds a burst of acidity that balances the richness of the cheese. Served piping hot, this iconic dish promises to tantalize your taste buds and transport you to the heart of Italy.
**Additional Delectable Recipes:**
Along with the classic Eggplant Parmigiana, this article offers a delightful collection of other recipes that showcase the versatility of eggplant and the diverse culinary traditions of Italy:
* **Eggplant Rollatini:** Discover the art of creating delicate eggplant rolls filled with a savory mixture of ricotta cheese, spinach, and herbs, then baked to perfection.
* **Fried Eggplant with Garlic and Mint:** Experience the simplicity and elegance of this traditional Sicilian dish, where crispy eggplant slices are coated in a fragrant garlicky mint sauce.
* **Eggplant Caponata:** Immerse yourself in the flavors of this Sicilian classic, a sweet and sour stew made with eggplant, tomatoes, celery, and capers.
* **Eggplant Parmesan Meatballs:** Indulge in a unique twist on the classic meatball, featuring juicy meatballs nestled within a bed of tender eggplant slices, smothered in a rich tomato sauce, and topped with melted cheese.
Whether you're a seasoned home cook or a novice in the kitchen, these recipes provide a culinary adventure that celebrates the beauty and versatility of this beloved vegetable. So, prepare your taste buds for a journey to Italy and embrace the authentic flavors of Mamma Agata's Eggplant Parmigiana and its accompanying recipes.
GRANDMA'S ITALIAN EGGPLANT PARMIGIANA
This heirloom Italian family recipe came stateside with my grandmother when she immigrated from Italy. Growing up in a house that had Italian sauce being made every Sunday, this eggplant was always a favorite. Using good quality ingredients is critical for this recipe. It is very time consuming and laborious. It would be a shame to invest all of this time and effort with inferior ingredients only to be let down when you eat it later.
Provided by Daddy's Kitchen
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 9h35m
Yield 12
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Lay eggplant slices on top of paper towels and sprinkle with sea salt to draw out moisture. Cover with additional paper towels. Let sit, 8 hours to overnight.
- Place flour into a 1-gallon plastic zip-top bag. Sprinkle salt and pepper into the flour and shake the bag to mix. Place 6 eggplant slices into the bag, seal, and shake to coat.
- Beat eggs and water together using a fork in a small bowl. Season with salt and pepper.
- Heat 2 inches of oil over medium-high heat in a 10-inch cast iron skillet. Line baking sheets with paper towels to drain eggplants after frying.
- Shake excess flour from eggplant slices and place into egg mixture, turning to ensure both sides are coated. Allow excess egg mixture to drip off before placing slices into the hot oil. Fry until slightly golden, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to the paper towel-lined baking sheets. Sprinkle with 1 tablespoon Pecorino Romano cheese. Repeat process until all eggplant slices are fried. Let cool slightly, about 5 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
- Pour a small amount of tomato sauce into the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking pan to cover. Place 1/3 of the eggplant slices over sauce, slightly overlapping them. Sprinkle 1/3 of the remaining Pecorino-Romano cheese and Parmesan cheese evenly over the slices. Cover with a light layer of sauce. Sprinkle 1/3 of the mozzarella cheese over sauce. Repeat for a total of 3 layers.
- Bake in the preheated oven until bubbly, about 40 minutes. Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes to set.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 568.9 calories, Carbohydrate 33.1 g, Cholesterol 145.9 mg, Fat 32.7 g, Fiber 5.3 g, Protein 35.6 g, SaturatedFat 14.8 g, Sodium 2463.2 mg, Sugar 7.9 g
EGGPLANT PARMIGIANA
Provided by Alex Guarnaschelli
Time 2h45m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 21
Steps:
- Make the sauce: Heat the olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add the onions and garlic and season with salt and the red pepper flakes; cook until the onions are soft and translucent, 7 to 8 minutes. Add the sugar and tomatoes and break up some of the tomatoes with a wooden spoon. Reduce the heat to medium and cook, stirring from time to time, until the tomatoes are fairly broken down, 10 to 15 minutes. Taste for seasoning. Let cool.
- Prepare the eggplant: Put the eggplant rounds in a single layer on a baking sheet. Sprinkle with salt on both sides and let sit, about 1 hour. Rinse the eggplant with cold water and dry thoroughly with a kitchen towel. (Salting the eggplant draws out the liquid and bitter flavor, but it's optional: Skip this step if you don't have time.)
- Put the flour in a medium bowl and season with salt and pepper. In another bowl, whisk the eggs with the milk and season with salt and pepper. In a third bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, oregano and thyme and season with salt and pepper. Dredge each eggplant slice in the flour and shake off any excess. Dip in the egg mixture and finally in the breadcrumbs, coating both sides. Lay the eggplant slices on baking sheets in a single layer.
- Heat about 1/2 inch vegetable oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat until it begins to smoke lightly (between 380 degrees F and 400 degrees F). Using tongs, add a single layer of eggplant to the skillet and cook until golden brown, about 2 minutes per side. Transfer to a paper towel-lined baking sheet and season lightly with salt. Repeat until all of the eggplant is fried.
- Position a rack in the upper third of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees F. Spoon about one-quarter of the tomato sauce into a 9-by-13-inch flameproof baking dish. Top with a layer of the fried eggplant, overlapping the slices slightly. Top with about one-quarter of the mozzarella, then sprinkle with about one-third each of the parmesan, provolone and basil. Repeat the layering 2 more times (sauce, eggplant, cheese, basil), then finish with the remaining sauce and mozzarella. Press the layers firmly into the dish. Bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly, 35 to 40 minutes. For an extra-brown top, put the dish under the broiler for a minute or two just before serving.
EGGPLANT PARMIGIANA
This delicious eggplant casserole from my mom makes a wonderful meatless meal. It's a resourceful way to use up the eggplant in your garden, and the homemade marinara sauce tastes so good. -Valerie Belley St. Louis, Missouri
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h50m
Yield 10-12 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Place eggplant in a colander; sprinkle with salt. Let stand for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in a large skillet, saute the onions, basil, bay leaves, oregano and thyme in oil until onions are tender. , Add the tomatoes, tomato paste, honey and lemon-pepper. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and simmer for 30 minutes. Add garlic; simmer 10 minutes longer. Discard bay leaves., Rinse eggplant slices; pat dry with paper towels. In a shallow bowl, combine eggs and pepper; place bread crumbs in another shallow bowl. Dip eggplant into eggs, then coat with crumbs. Let stand for 5 minutes., In a large skillet, cook half of the eggplant in 2 tablespoons butter for 3 minutes on each side or until lightly browned. Repeat with remaining eggplant and butter. , In each of two greased 11x7-in. baking dishes, layer half of each of the eggplant, tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers. Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese. Bake, uncovered, at 375° for 35 minutes or until a thermometer reads 160°.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 984 calories, Fat 59g fat (35g saturated fat), Cholesterol 226mg cholesterol, Sodium 2164mg sodium, Carbohydrate 32g carbohydrate (18g sugars, Fiber 6g fiber), Protein 81g protein.
TRADITIONAL EGGPLANT PARMIGIANA
Layers of rich red sauce, meaty fried eggplant, and melted cheese... Are you hungry yet? Our method for eggplant parmigiana is sure to satisfy.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Healthy Recipes Vegetarian Recipes
Time 2h
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- In a colander, toss eggplant with 2 teaspoons salt. Let stand 30 minutes. Arrange slices in a single layer on a dish towel and roll up tightly to extract excess water.
- Meanwhile, in a medium pot, bring tomatoes and garlic to a boil. Reduce heat and cook at a rapid simmer until thickened, 30 minutes.
- In a shallow dish, combine breadcrumbs and 1/4 cup Parmesan; season with salt and pepper. Put flour and eggs in two more shallow dishes. Coat eggplant in flour, shaking off excess. Dip in egg, letting excess drip off. Coat with breadcrumbs.
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a large straight-sided skillet, heat oil over medium-high (a few breadcrumbs should sizzle when added). In batches, fry eggplant until golden brown and tender, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Drain on a paper-towel-lined baking sheet.
- Spread 1 cup tomato sauce in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Top with half the eggplant, overlapping slices slightly, 2 cups sauce, and half the mozzarella. Repeat with remaining eggplant, sauce, and mozzarella, then sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan.
- Bake until sauce is bubbling and cheese is golden, about 30 minutes. Let cool 15 minutes before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 447 g, Fat 25 g, Fiber 7 g, Protein 28 g, SaturatedFat 4 g
MAMMA MIA! FRESH ITALIAN EGGPLANT PARMIGIANO!
Make and share this Mamma Mia! Fresh Italian Eggplant Parmigiano! recipe from Food.com.
Provided by The Spice Guru
Categories European
Time 1h25m
Yield 9 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 34
Steps:
- PREP vegetables and herbs needed for the SAUTE (1 medium chopped onion, 8 ounces thinly sliced fresh mushrooms, 2/3 cup minced fresh basil leaves (reserving 1 tablespoon to refresh flavor later), 2-3 tablespoons minced fresh garlic, 3 tablespoons minced fresh Italian parsley, 2 tablespoons minced fresh oregano leaves, and 1 teaspoon minced fresh rosemary leaves); SAUTE in a large saucepan or pot in 1 tablespoon olive oil, between medium-low and medium heat until softened, about 7 minutes.
- BRING 4 quarts unsalted water to boiling; CAREFULLY lower Roma tomatoes needed for recipe on a large spoon into boiling water; BLANCH until skins start to crack; REMOVE tomatoes and place into a colander; RINSE tomatoes under running cold water to remove skins; PUREE enough tomatoes to yield 3 1/4 cups; DICE remaining tomatoes to yield 3 1/4 cups; ADD both pureed and diced tomatoes to the saute mixture, along with 1/4 cup olive oil, 2-3 teaspoons ground fennel, 1/4 cup dry red wine, 2 teaspoons fine sea salt (if using fresh tomatoes), 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated lemon zest, 1/4 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg, 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper and 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes; STIR in enough sugar or light corn syrup into SAUCE to balance acidity; RAISE HEAT to HIGH, stirring constantly until mixture begins to boil; REDUCE heat to MEDIUM-LOW, then SIMMER the sauce uncovered for 1 hour or slightly longer, stirring occasionally; REMOVE the SAUCE from heat; STIR in 1/4 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese and 1 tablespoon finely minced fresh basil leaves (to refresh flavor); SEASON to taste with fine sea salt if necessary.
- PREPARE the BREADCRUMBS in a large sealable container or Ziplock bag, add 2 cups panko, 1 cup freshly grated parmesan cheese, 1 teaspoon Italian seasoning, 1 1/4 teaspoons garlic salt, 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper and 1/8 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg; seal and shake well to combine; set aside; PREHEAT oven to 375 F degrees.
- CUT eggplants into 1/8 - 1/4 inch rounds; BRUSH eggplant evenly on both sides with the BASTE mixture (1/2 cup olive oil with 1-3 freshly mashed garlic cloves); SHAKE a few basted eggplant rounds at a time in sealed container or Ziploc bag with BREADCRUMBS until very well coated; arrange in TWO greased 13 x 9 inch baking dishes; RESERVE enough of the BREADCRUMBS for the GARNISH of eggplant parmigiano later before last 15 minutes of baking.
- BAKE both baking dishes of eggplant for about 10 minutes or until lightly browned; carefully slide out oven tray(s) from oven using oven mitts; REDUCE oven temperature to 350 F degrees; TURN eggplant over using tongs or spatula; CONTINUE baking at 350 F for about 10 additional minutes or until lightly browned; REMOVE from oven; LEAVE oven ON.
- LADLE 1/3 of the SAUCE into the bottom of a 13 x 9 baking dish or casserole dish; SPRINKLE 1 tablespoon of the freshly grated parmesan cheese over the sauce; (you can use the same dish you used to bake eggplant in).
- ARRANGE 1/2 (ONE HALF) of the EGGPLANT over the SAUCE in dish, overlapping if necessary.
- POUR 1/2 (HALF) of remaining sauce over EGGPLANT.
- SPRINKLE the SAUCE with 1 tablespoon freshly grated PARMESAN cheese, followed by 8 ounces (ONE HALF POUND) grated part-skim MOZZARELLA cheese; REPEAT layers with remaining EGGPLANT, remaining SAUCE, and remaining MOZZARELLA cheese; COVER casserole with aluminum foil or casserole lid.
- BAKE in preheated 350 F degree oven for 30 minutes, then carefully slide out oven tray from oven using oven mitts; REMOVE cover from eggplant parmigiano carefully; then SPRINKLE the GARNISH (1 tablespoon freshly grated parmesan cheese, 2 teaspoons seasoned Italian breadcrumbs, 1 teaspoon finely minced fresh Italian parsley); CONTINUE to BAKE for 15 additional minutes; REMOVE from oven and allow to cool and set for 5-10 minutes, then SLICE (using a serrated knife) and SERVE (with your favorite side dishes and bread); SERVE and say, "MAMMA MIA!"!
Nutrition Facts : Calories 573.3, Fat 37.8, SaturatedFat 12.8, Cholesterol 55, Sodium 1295.6, Carbohydrate 35.5, Fiber 7.8, Sugar 9.7, Protein 24.9
MY MAMA'S EGGPLANT PARMIGIANA
So, I was adopted and raised by a Sicilian lady and this is her treasured eggplant parmigiana recipe. I hope you all enjoy it as much as my family does! P.S. Eggplant looks sturdier than it really is; refrigerate for no more than 2 days.
Provided by ElizabethKnicely
Categories Cheese
Time 40m
Yield 4 , 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400°F.
- Wash and peel eggplant; cut crosswise into 1/2-inch slices.
- Combine egg and water; dip eggplant slices into egg mixture, then into flour, turning to coat both sides.
- In a large skillet cook eggplant, half at a time, in hot oil for 4 to 6 minutes or until golden, turning once. (If necessary, add additional oil.) Drain on paper towels.
- Place the eggplant slices in a single layer in an ungreased 2-quart rectangular baking dish. (If necessary, cut slices to fit.) Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese.
- Top with spaghetti sauce and mozzarella cheese.
- Bake, uncovered, in a 400°F oven for 10 to 12 minutes or until heated through.
Tips:
- Use fresh, ripe eggplants. This will ensure the best flavor and texture.
- Slice the eggplants evenly so that they cook evenly.
- Salt the eggplant slices and let them rest for 30 minutes. This will help to remove excess moisture and prevent the eggplant from becoming bitter.
- Coat the eggplant slices in flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs. This will help them to brown nicely and stay crispy.
- Shallow fry the eggplant slices in olive oil until they are golden brown and cooked through.
- Layer the eggplant slices with tomato sauce, mozzarella cheese, and Parmesan cheese in a baking dish.
- Bake the eggplant parmigiana in a preheated oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve the eggplant parmigiana hot or at room temperature.
Conclusion:
Mamma Agata's eggplant parmigiana is a classic Italian dish that is sure to please everyone at your table. The combination of tender eggplant, flavorful tomato sauce, and melted cheese is simply irresistible. Serve it with a side of pasta or salad for a complete meal.
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