**Eggplant Parmesan: A Classic Italian Dish with a Modern Twist**
Eggplant Parmesan is a classic Italian dish that is loved by people all over the world. It is made with breaded and fried eggplant slices, layered with tomato sauce, melted cheese, and Parmesan cheese. The result is a delicious and hearty dish that is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a special occasion.
This article features three different recipes for Eggplant Parmesan: a traditional recipe, a healthier version, and a vegetarian version. The traditional recipe uses breaded and fried eggplant slices, while the healthier version uses grilled eggplant slices. The vegetarian version uses tofu instead of eggplant. All three recipes are easy to follow and can be made with ingredients that are readily available at most grocery stores.
No matter which recipe you choose, you are sure to enjoy this classic Italian dish. Eggplant Parmesan is a delicious and versatile dish that can be served as a main course or a side dish. It is also a great way to use up leftover eggplant.
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
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
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!
CONTEST-WINNING EGGPLANT PARMESAN
Because my recipe calls for baking the eggplant instead of frying it, it's much healthier than other parmesans! The prep time is a little longer than for some recipes, but the Italian flavors and rustic elegance are well worth it. -Laci Hooten, McKinney, Texas
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h5m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°. Place eggs and bread crumbs in separate shallow bowls. Dip eggplant slices in eggs, then coat in crumbs. Place on baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake until tender and golden brown, 15-20 minutes, turning once., In a small bowl, combine mushrooms, basil and oregano. In another small bowl, combine mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses., Spread 1/2 cup sauce into a 13x9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Layer with a third of the mushroom mixture, a third of the eggplant, 3/4 cup sauce and a third of the cheese mixture. Repeat layers twice., Bake, uncovered, until heated through and cheese is melted, 25-30 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 305 calories, Fat 12g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 102mg cholesterol, Sodium 912mg sodium, Carbohydrate 32g carbohydrate (12g sugars, Fiber 9g fiber), Protein 18g protein.
LOW-CARB EGGPLANT PARMESAN RECIPE BY TASTY
Here's what you need: large eggplant, salt, almond meal, italian seasoning, large eggs, water, rice flour, olive oil, garlic, red pepper flakes, crushed san marzano tomato, fresh basil, shredded mozzarella cheese, shredded parmesan cheese
Provided by Crystal Hatch
Categories Dinner
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190˚C).
- Trim the ends off the eggplant, then slice into ½-inch (2-cm) thick rounds. Transfer the rounds to a baking sheet lined with paper towels and sprinkle with salt on both sides. Let sit for 10 minutes for the salt to draw out excess moisture from the eggplant.
- In a medium bowl, whisk together the almond meal, Italian seasoning, and a pinch of salt. Beat the eggs in another medium bowl with a splash of water. Add the rice flour to another medium bowl.
- Coat the salted eggplant rounds in the rice flour, then in the egg, letting any excess drip off, then in the seasoned almond meal. Set the rounds on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Lightly drizzle on both sides with olive oil.
- Bake the eggplant, flipping halfway through for even browning, for 30 minutes, or until golden brown.
- While the eggplant is baking, make the sauce: Heat a drizzle of olive oil in a medium saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for 3-4 minutes, until the garlic is fragrant. Reduce the heat if the garlic is browning too quickly. Add the crushed tomatoes and stir to combine. Cover and simmer for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally to prevent the bottom from scorching. Add the basil and stir to incorporate.
- To assemble, spread a bit of sauce in the bottom of a 9x13-inch (23x33-cm) baking dish, then add a layer of baked eggplant. Top with more sauce and sprinkle with the mozzarella and Parmesan cheese. Repeat with the remaining ingredients, using another baking dish if needed to make another single layer of eggplant.
- Bake for 10 minutes, then turn the broiler on high and cook for another 3 minutes, until the cheese is browned and bubbling.
- Serve garnished with more basil.
- Enjoy!
- Nutrition, per serving - Calories: 424, Total fat: 21 grams, Sodium: 666 mg, Total carbs: 41 grams, Dietary fiber: 9 grams, Net carbs: 32 grams, Sugars: 12 grams, Protein: 22 grams
Nutrition Facts : Calories 752 calories, Carbohydrate 66 grams, Fat 42 grams, Fiber 12 grams, Protein 34 grams, Sugar 15 grams
Tips:
- To ensure the eggplant slices don't absorb too much oil during frying, make sure to pat them dry with paper towels before coating them in flour and egg wash.
- For a crispier coating, double-coat the eggplant slices in flour and egg wash.
- If you don't have a meat mallet, you can use a rolling pin or the bottom of a heavy skillet to pound the eggplant slices.
- Be careful not to overcrowd the pan when frying the eggplant slices. This will cause them to steam instead of fry and result in a soggy coating.
- Use a good quality marinara sauce for the best flavor. If you have time, make your own using fresh tomatoes and herbs.
- Layer the eggplant parmesan in a single layer in the baking dish to ensure even cooking.
- Bake the eggplant parmesan until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the top is golden brown.
- Let the eggplant parmesan cool for a few minutes before slicing and serving. This will help it hold its shape.
Conclusion:
Eggplant parmesan is a delicious and versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer, main course, or side dish. It's a great way to use up leftover eggplant, and it's also a good source of protein and fiber. With a few simple tips, you can make eggplant parmesan that's crispy, cheesy, and flavorful. So next time you're looking for a tasty and satisfying meal, give eggplant parmesan a try!
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