Eggplant Mozzarella Recipes

EASY RICOTTA EGGPLANT MOZZARELLA MARINARA BAKE

Steps:

• Set oven to 350 degrees.
• Lightly grease a baking sheet.
• Place flour in a shallow bowl.
• Place the slightly beaten eggs in another bowl.
• Mix the fresh bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese together with black pepper and a pinch of salt, then place the breadcrumb mixture in another bowl (you should have three separate bowls).
• Coat the eggplant slices in flour, then in eggs, then in the bread crumb mixture, patting down with fingers to adhere the crumbs to the eggplants.
• Up to this point you can cover the slices and refrigerate to finish later.
• Heat oil in a large skillet.
• Add in 2 eggplant slices; cook until golden brown (about 5 minutes on each side).
• Transfer to prepared greased baking sheet in a single layer, but close together (if you can't fit all of the slices in one layer then just overlap them).
• Repeat with remaining slices.
• Spread about 2-3 tablespoons ricotta cheese over each eggplant.
• Top each slice with marinara (you do not have to completely cover with sauce) then sprinkle grated mozzeralla on top.
• Bake the slices about 15-17 minutes, or until the cheese melts and the marinara is hot.

GRILLED EGGPLANT WITH MOZZARELLA, TOMATOES, AND BASIL

Steps:

• Prepare a barbecue (or preheat a broiler). Cut the eggplants into slices about 1/2-inch thick. Spread on a baking sheet and brush with olive oil on both sides. Set aside.
• Cut mozzarella in half crosswise, then slice each half about 1/4-inch thick to create half-moon shaped pieces. Slice tomatoes in the same manner. Arrange tomatoes and mozzarella decoratively around the edge of a large serving platter.
• Place eggplant slices on barbecue (or place on baking sheet in broiler) and cook, turning once, until nicely charred on each side; the eggplant should almost caramelize. Arrange the cooked eggplant down the center of the serving platter, surrounded by the tomatoes and mozzarella. Pluck about 12 large leaves from the basil bunch, stack them, roll them up like a cigar, then slice crosswise into thin shreds (?chiffonade?). Scatter the basil shreds over the vegetables and cheese, then drizzle balsamic vinegar and more olive oil over all. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, to taste, and let stand until eggplant is at room temperature.

RIGATONI WITH CREAMY EGGPLANT AND MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of heavily salted water to a boil over high heat.
• Meanwhile, heat oil in a large frying pan over medium-high heat. When it shimmers, add the onion and garlic and cook until just softened. Add eggplant, stir to coat in oil, then let cook, stirring rarely, until softened and golden brown, about 5 to 7 minutes. Remove half eggplant mixture and reserve.
• Meanwhile, add the pasta to the boiling water and cook according to the package instructions.
• Reduce heat to medium-low, add the tomatoes, cream, and half the basil, and let simmer, stirring occasionally, until flavors meld and sauce is slightly thickened, about 4 minutes.
• Drain pasta and return to the pot off the heat. Pour sauce over top and stir until well coated. Add reserved eggplant, remaining basil, and mozzarella and mix until the cheese starts to soften. Serve immediately.

FRIED EGGPLANT AND MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Directions:.
• Sprinkle the salt onto the eggplants slices and let rest for 20 minutes.
• Rinse the salt from the eggplant slices and pat them dry.
• Form sandwiches out of 2 slices of eggplant with a slice of mozzarella and a basil leaf in the middle.
• Dredge the eggplant sandwiches in the flour.
• Dip them into the egg and then in the bread crumbs to coat.
• Fry in oil until golden brown, about 2-4 minutes each.
• Cut into four and serve with a tasty tomato sauce.

EGGPLANT PARMESAN WITH FRESH BASIL AND SMOKED MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Line a plate with a paper towel; place a layer of 2 or 3 slices of eggplant onto the towel. Sprinkle eggplant with sea salt. Repeat layers of eggplant sprinkled with salt until all eggplant slices are stacked. Place 2 paper towels onto the stack and place a plate on top of the towels. Lay a heavy book or can of food onto the plate to squeeze out moisture. Allow to drip for 20 minutes to 2 hours. Rinse and pat dry.
• Beat eggs with milk in a shallow bowl. Place bread crumbs into a separate bowl. Dip eggplant slices in the egg mixture and gently press into the crumbs to coat; set aside.
• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Grease an 8x8-inch baking dish.
• Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat; fry eggplant slices in the hot oil in small batches until golden brown, about 1 to 2 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
• Pour about 1/4 cup of marinara sauce into the bottom of the prepared baking dish and arrange a layer of eggplant slices to cover the sauce. Scatter basil and a few slices of smoked mozzarella cheese over eggplant; repeat layers, ending with a layer of sauce on top. Sprinkle Parmesan cheese over the top.
• Bake in the preheated oven until heated through and the cheese has melted, about 15 minutes. Serve immediately.