JUDY'S EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) PARM

Steps:

• Slice eggplant lengthwise 3/8-inch thick.
• Salt both sides, and stack upright in colander.
• Set colander in sink, or set in tray to catch drippings.
• Let sweat for 30 minutes.
• Remove, rinse and pat eggplant dry.
• Place olive oil in pan, about 1 1/2 inches worth.
• Heat until oil is quite hot, but not smoking.
• Dredge eggplant on both sides in flour.
• Place in pan, not overlapping, until golden brown.
• Flip and continue frying until other side is golden brown.
• Remove, drain, and place on paper towels.
• Repeat with remaining eggplant.
• Meanwhile, as eggplant is being fried, place tomatoes, salt and olive oil in another pan.
• Turn to low, or low-medium, and let simmer as you fry the eggplant.
• Cook down until tomatoes are reduced by half.
• Preheat oven to 400 degrees.
• Smear bottom and sides of (approximately 11X7 baking dish, ceramic preferred) baking dish with butter.
• Place a single layer, overlapping, of eggplant in bottom of dish.
• Dot with cooked tomato.
• Cover with layer of mozzarella, sprinkle quite liberally with grated parm, and snip basil leaves across.
• Repeat process, finishing with a layer of eggplant on top.
• Sprinkle with remaining parm and place dish in upper third of oven.
• Check dish after 20 minutes.
• If there is too much liquid being released, remove excess with spoon.
• Cook for another 15 minutes.
• Let rest before serving.
• For a wonderful freezer meal:.
• To freeze: Cover dish with foil and freeze. When frozen you can pop it out of the container and put in a freezer bag if desired. Individual portions can be cut and microwaved as well for a quick meal!
• To heat: Thaw and preheat oven to 350°F Cover and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for 10-15 minutes more.