**Mini Eggplant Parmesan: A Delightful Appetizer or Side Dish**
Mini eggplant parmesan is an exquisite appetizer or side dish that combines the flavors of tender eggplant, savory parmesan cheese, and tangy tomato sauce. This delectable dish features bite-sized eggplant slices coated in a crispy breadcrumb mixture, pan-fried to perfection, and then topped with a rich tomato sauce and melted parmesan cheese. The result is a symphony of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds.
This article provides two tempting recipes for mini eggplant parmesan: a traditional version and a healthier baked version. The traditional recipe offers a classic take on this dish, using pan-frying to achieve a crispy exterior and a soft, flavorful interior. The healthier baked version, on the other hand, utilizes the oven's heat to create a lighter and healthier alternative, without compromising on taste. Both recipes are easy to follow and can be tailored to your dietary preferences and available ingredients.
Whether you're seeking a crowd-pleasing appetizer for your next gathering or a flavorful side dish to complement your main course, these mini eggplant parmesan recipes are sure to impress.
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
AIR FRYER EGGPLANT PARMESAN MINI PIZZAS
Eggplant Parmesan meets pizza for a handheld treat that is sure to please. The best part is that these are not deep fried, but made in an air fryer for a much healthier alternative.
Provided by Soup Loving Nicole
Categories Appetizers and Snacks
Time 45m
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Line eggplant rounds up on a large cutting board and lightly salt both sides. Let sit 10 minutes. Pat dry with paper towels. Preheat the oven to 250 degrees F (120 degrees C).
- Meanwhile whisk egg and water together in a mixing bowl. Mix bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese together on a flat plate. Line a rimmed baking sheet with aluminum foil and place a cooling rack on top.
- Dip each eggplant round in beaten egg and then coat in bread crumb mixture.
- Preheat an air fryer to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C). Spray the basket with nonstick cooking spray.
- Place as many eggplant rounds into your basket as space allows without overcrowding. Spray the tops with cooking spray. Cook for 10 minutes. Transfer rounds to the cooling rack and place in the preheated oven to keep warm. Repeat with remaining eggplant.
- Spoon pizza sauce over each eggplant round. Add olive slices and cover with mozzarella cheese.
- Set the oven rack about 6 inches from the heat source and preheat the oven's broiler to high.
- Broil eggplant slice pizzas for 4 minutes or until cheese is melted. Garnish with basil.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 177.6 calories, Carbohydrate 16.4 g, Cholesterol 43.6 mg, Fat 7.6 g, Fiber 3.4 g, Protein 11.4 g, SaturatedFat 3.8 g, Sodium 486.3 mg, Sugar 3.3 g
MINI EGGPLANT PARM, ROASTED CHERRY TOMATO, BASIL PESTO
Provided by Dominick Tesoriero
Categories main-dish
Time 50m
Yield 12 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- In a blender, combine the pine nuts, basil, parsley, 6 tablespoons of the olive oil and 1/4 cup of the Parmesan. Blend on high until smooth. (TIP: Add 2 ice cubes to the blender to reduce the heat from the motor, which will ruin the color.) Season with salt and pepper. Store in an airtight container until needed.
- Slice the eggplants into 1/4-inch rounds. With a 4-inch square cookie cutter, cut out 12 portions. Season with salt and pepper and set aside. Cut thin slices of mozzarella trimmed to fit the top of the eggplant slices. Set aside until needed.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
- To set up a breading station, put the flour in a shallow bowl and the eggs in a second shallow bowl. In a third shallow bowl, combine the breadcrumbs and the remaining 1/4 cup Parmesan. Dredge the eggplant pieces first in the flour, shaking off the excess, then in the egg, shaking off the excess again and finally in the breadcrumb mixture. Shake off the excess breadcrumbs.
- Pour canola oil into a wide-bottomed pot to a depth of 1 1/2 inches and heat over medium heat until a deep-frying thermometer inserted in the oil registers 350 degrees F (or use a deep fryer).
- Put the cherry tomatoes on a baking sheet and coat with the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil. Season with salt. Roast in the oven until blistered, about 5 minutes.
- Fry the breaded eggplant cut-outs in the hot oil until golden brown, about 3 minutes on each side. Drain on a paper towel-lined baking sheet.
- On a new baking sheet lined with parchment paper, arrange the eggplant pieces. Top with the mozzarella pieces. Put in the oven or under the broiler until the mozzarella is melted.
- To plate: Put a dollop of the pesto on the bottom of each plate. Place an eggplant/mozzarella piece on top and garnish with a blistered tomato. Drizzle with olive oil and serve.
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
MINI EGGPLANT PARMESAN
Provided by Marc Murphy
Time 1h5m
Yield 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat a grill to medium heat. Preheat a pizza oven or regular oven to 475 degrees F.
- Add the eggplant halves to a 9-by-13-inch baking dish, cut-side up. Drizzle with 2 to 3 tablespoons olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Place the eggplant on the grill cut-side down and grill until nicely charred, about 5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, place a medium cast-iron pan on the grill and add 2 tablespoons olive oil; heat until hot. Add the garlic and onion and saute until the onions are translucent, about 3 minutes. Add the tomatoes and anchovy, then stir to combine, cooking the tomatoes until nicely broken down, about 10 minutes.
- Evenly divide the eggplant, cut-side up, among six 10-ounce cast-iron rectangular pans arranged on a sheet tray for easy transfer to the oven. Spoon over the tomato sauce, then bake until sauce has reduced more, started to char and the eggplants have softened, about 15 minutes.
- Remove the sheet tray from the oven and top each pan with the grated Parmesan. Evenly top with the sliced mozzarella, then season with freshly ground black pepper and place back in the oven. Let cook to melt the cheese, another 5 to 8 minutes.
Tips:
- Choose small, tender eggplants for this recipe. Larger eggplants can be more bitter and have tougher skin.
- Slice the eggplants evenly so that they cook evenly.
- If you don't have a mandoline, you can use a sharp knife to slice the eggplants.
- Be sure to pat the eggplant slices dry before breading and frying them. This will help them crisp up.
- Don't overcrowd the pan when frying the eggplant slices. This will prevent them from cooking evenly.
- Use a good quality marinara sauce for this recipe. You can make your own or use a store-bought brand that you like.
- Layer the eggplant slices, marinara sauce, and cheese in a baking dish and bake until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Serve the eggplant parmesan hot with a side of bread or salad.
Conclusion:
Mini eggplant parmesan is a delicious and easy-to-make appetizer or main course. It's perfect for parties or potlucks, and it's also a great way to use up leftover eggplant. With its crispy eggplant slices, flavorful marinara sauce, and melted cheese, this dish is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it.
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