Italian Eggplant Tomato Bake Recipes

ITALIAN BAKED EGGPLANT WITH PARMESAN (PARMIGIANA DI MELANZANE)

Steps:

• Place a single layer of eggplant slices in a colander sitting on a plate and sprinkle with coarse salt. Cover with a second layer and sprinkle with salt. Repeat with remaining eggplant. Place a plate on top and add a weight to put pressure on the eggplant slices. Let stand at room temperature for about 1 hour.
• Rinse eggplant slices under running cold water to wash off all the salt. Pat dry on all sides with paper towels.
• Heat oil in a deep skillet over medium-high heat. Dredge eggplant slices in flour on both sides and add to the hot oil, working in batches. Deep fry eggplant until golden, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
• Heat olive oil in a large pot over medium heat; cook garlic and onion until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add tomato puree, 4 basil leaves, and salt. Cook, stirring often, until sauce starts to thicken, about 20 minutes. Remove sauce from heat. Discard garlic and stir in remaining 4 leaves basil.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Spread a layer of tomato sauce over the bottom of a baking dish. Cover with a single layer of eggplant slices. Top with more sauce, mozzarella slices, and Parmesan cheese. Continue making layers, a total of 3 to 5, finishing with tomato sauce and grated Parmesan cheese.
• Bake in the preheated oven until heated through and bubbling, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove from oven and let stand for 20 minutes before serving.

ITALIAN EGGPLANT, ZUCCHINI AND TOMATO CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Chop eggplant first, and sprinkle the eggplant pieces with 1 teaspoons of the salt. Set this aside to sit while you chop the other veggies.
• After about 15-20 minutes, place the salted eggplant in a colander and rinse it under cool water to remove the salt and bitter juices. Pat dry with a paper towel.
• Preheat the oven to 400°F
• Heat the olive oil in a large pan on medium heat. Add the chopped onion and carrot and mix into the oil. Add the garlic. Saute for 3-4 minutes.
• Add the Italian seasoning. Add the zucchini, and saute another 2 minutes. Add the eggplant, saute another 2 minutes, and then add the tomatoes. Remove from heat.
• Season the vegetable mixture in the pan with the remaining salt and pepper. Whisk the egg, add it to the pan and mix this through the veggies, along with 1 Tb. of the parmesan cheese and the optional 1/2 cup of TVP.
• Pour the veggie mixture from the pan into a casserole dish, and top off with the remaining 1 Tb. cheese and the breadcrumbs.
• Cover the dish with foil or a lid, and bake for 20 minutes. Uncover and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until nicely browned.