Craving Comfort Food Learn How To Make Delicious Eggplant Parmesan

Eggplant Parmesan involves breading and frying eggplant slices, then layering them with marinara sauce and cheeses. It's baked until bubbly and golden, creating a rich, comforting dish. Garnished with basil, it's ideal with pasta or garlic bread.

Eggplant Parmesan is a delicious Italian dish made by breading and frying eggplant slices, then layering them with marinara sauce and cheeses. The process involves salting the eggplant to remove moisture, breading with flour, egg, and a breadcrumb-Parmesan mixture, and frying until golden. The fried eggplant is then layered in a baking dish with marinara sauce and shredded cheeses, and baked until bubbly and golden. It's garnished with fresh basil and served hot. This dish combines crispy eggplant with rich, cheesy layers for a comforting meal.

Ingredients:

- 2 large eggplants, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds

- Salt (for sweating the eggplant)

- 2 cups of breadcrumbs

- 1 cup of all-purpose flour

- 3 large eggs, beaten

- 1 cup of grated Parmesan cheese

- 3 cups of marinara sauce (store-bought or homemade)

- 3 cups of shredded mozzarella cheese

- Fresh basil leaves, chopped (for garnish)

- Olive oil (for frying)

- Ground black pepper (to taste)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Eggplant:

• Slice the eggplants into 1/4-inch thick rounds. Lay them out on a baking sheet and generously sprinkle both sides with salt.
• Allow them to sit for about 30 minutes to sweat out excess moisture. This step helps reduce bitterness and makes the eggplant less soggy.
• After 30 minutes, rinse the eggplant slices thoroughly under cold water to remove the salt, and pat them dry with paper towels.

2. Set Up the Breading Station:

• Prepare three shallow bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with a mixture of breadcrumbs and 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese.
• Lightly season the flour with salt and pepper.

3. Bread the Eggplant Slices:

• Dredge each slice of eggplant first in the flour, shaking off any excess.
• Next, dip the slice into the beaten eggs, allowing any excess to drip off.
• Finally, coat the eggplant slice in the breadcrumb and Parmesan mixture, pressing gently to adhere the crumbs.
• Place the breaded eggplant slices on a clean baking sheet.

4. Fry the Eggplant:

• Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat and add enough olive oil to cover the bottom of the pan.
• Once the oil is hot, fry the eggplant slices in batches, cooking them for about 2-3 minutes on each side, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
• Transfer the fried eggplant slices to a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

5. Assemble the Eggplant Parmesan:

• Preheat your oven to 375 F (190 C).
• In a large baking dish, spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom.
• Arrange a layer of fried eggplant slices over the sauce.
• Sprinkle a portion of the remaining Parmesan cheese over the eggplant slices, followed by a layer of mozzarella cheese.
• Repeat the layers: marinara sauce, eggplant slices, Parmesan, and mozzarella, until all the eggplant slices are used up. End with a final layer of sauce and a generous topping of mozzarella.

6. Bake the Dish:

• Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes.
• Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10-15 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden brown.

7. Serve:

• Let the Eggplant Parmesan cool for a few minutes before slicing.
• Garnish with freshly chopped basil leaves and serve hot, accompanied by a side of pasta, garlic bread, or a simple salad.

This detailed recipe yields a hearty, flavorful Eggplant Parmesan, with layers of tender, crispy eggplant, rich marinara sauce, and gooey melted cheese. Perfect for a comforting meal.