Layered Eggplant Parmesan Vegetarian Recipes

EGGPLANT PARMIGIANA (PARMIGIANA DI MELANZANE)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 220°C / 430°F (200°C fan).
• Line three trays: Line three large trays with baking / parchment paper.
• Brush eggplant with oil: Brush eggplant slices on each side with oil.
• Bake 35 minutes: Arrange eggplant in a single layer on the trays and bake for about 35 - 45 mins or until browning and tender, turning the eggplant halfway. I put the trays on the top shelf, in the middle, then I put one tray on the floor of the oven. As each tray finishes, I remove the tray and move the others up.
• Cool: Remove from oven, leave on trays to cool.
• Sauté onions and garlic: Heat olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté onions and garlic for 3 minutes until softened and just about to colour on the edges.
• Add remaining ingredients: Pour in the passata , canned tomatoes, water, oregano and sugar. Stir and bring to a simmer.
• Simmer 30 minutes: Simmer uncovered for about 30 - 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until thickened, adding the basil stalks halfway through cooking (so they don't lose their flavour).
• The final consistency should be slightly thicker than a pasta sauce so it's spreadable and not leaching liquid, but not too pasty either. Add extra water a little at a time if required during cooking if it gets too thick. Remove the basil stalks and discard.
• Season: Stir in salt and pepper. (Remember, we get salt from the parmesan too, so no need to go overboard here)
• Reduce oven to 180°C / 350°F (160°C fan).
• Smear a little tomato sauce in the bottom of baking dish, 23 x 33cm / 9 x 13" (or thereabouts).
• Layer 1: Lay one third of the eggplant so it covers the base (some overlap is OK when layering eggplant). Spread 1/3 of the remaining sugo over eggplant. Drizzle with a little olive oil. Sprinkle with 1/3 of the parmesan, and 1/3 of basil leaves.
• Layer 2: Repeat another 1/3 each of eggplant, tomato sauce, olive oil, basil and parmesan.
• Layer 3 (top layer): Repeat again with remaining eggplant, tomato sauce and some olive oil. Do not put basil on top layer (we will garnish after baking). Scatter with remaining parmesan, then all the mozzarella.
• Bake for 25 mins until bubbling and golden.
• Rest: Let it rest for 5 to 10 minutes (easier to slice neatly). Scatter over remaining fresh basil leaves. Cut like lasagna and serve! (Optional: sprinkle with extra parmesan).

LAYERED EGGPLANT PARMESAN (VEGETARIAN)

Steps:

• Grease an 11 x 7-inch baking pan.
• In a bowl whisk the eggs with water until combined.
• In a shallow dish combine the breadcrumbs with seasoned salt, Italian seasoning, garlic powder, black pepper and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese.
• Dip the eggplant slice firstly into the egg mixture then coat into the breadcrumb mixture pressing down with hands to adhere the mixture to the eggplant, repeat with all slices.
• Place all the egplant slices on a onto a large a jelly-roll pan (the slices should be all breaded before browning).
• Heat oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat.
• Brown the slices 1 or 2 at a time on each side (about 4 minutes per side, after browning return the slices to the jelly-roll pan).
• TO ASSEMBLE; arrange one-third of the slices in a single layer into the bottom of the baking pan.
• Sprinkle 3 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese, then about 1/2 cup mozzarealla cheese.
• Repeat the layer twice.
• Spoon about 3 cups marinara sauce over the top.
• Bake covered with foil at 375 degrees F for 30-35 minutes.
• Uncover then sprinkle 3 tablespoons parmesan cheese then about 1/2 cup mozzarella cheese on top, return to oven and bake uncovered for about 10 minutes.
• Delicious.

ROASTED EGGPLANT PARMESAN

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with a layer of paper towel or a clean kitchen towel. Trim off the top and bottom of the eggplant and slice into 2-centimeter (1-inch) thick disks. Place the slices in a single layer onto the paper towel lined baking sheet and evenly sprinkle both sides with the kosher salt.
• Allow the salted eggplant to sit for about 20 minutes. Preheat your oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
• Meanwhile, for the sauce, combine the tomatoes and their juices with the butter, halved onion and Parmesan rind, if using, in a medium saucepan. Pick the basil leaves from the stems, add the stems to the tomatoes and set the leaves aside. Place a lid on the pan so that it is a little off kilter to allow steam out and place over medium heat. Cook, stirring occasionally, for at least 30 minutes, or even longer for a more intense tomato flavor.
• Pat the eggplant dry with some paper towel or a clean kitchen towel and remove from the baking sheet. Coat the bottom of the baking sheet with the olive oil and arrange the eggplant slices in a single layer. Flip the eggplant slices over to coat both sides in oil. Season with pepper and a bit more salt (don't worry, lots of the salt that you previously put on has been wiped away so the eggplant won't taste super salty). Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown on both sides.
• Remove the eggplant from the oven and top each with a spoon of the tomato sauce and sprinkle with the Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese. Return the eggplant to the oven and cook for another 8 to 10 minutes, or until the cheese is melted.
• To serve, spoon some sauce onto your plates and divide and stack the roasted eggplant parm on top. Tear up the fresh mozzarella and basil leaves, scatter on top and season with salt and pepper.