(Even Lighter) Classic Eggplant Parmigiana

I have spent the better part of the last month thinking about making this eggplant parmigiana.  I frequent a local restaurant, Via Ponte, run by a Sicilian family. Chef Giuseppe’s version of this recipe leaves me salivating for more. This is the way the Italians make eggplant parmigiana. No heavy breading. No mountains of cheese. Just buttery layers of eggplant, lightly fried, layered with a bit of tomato sauce and dotted (not smothered) with a fresh mozzarella and Parmigiano.  (It also brings back fond memories of a lunch near Taormina in Sicily many moons ago – sun-dappled tables overlooking the sea; breezes blowing; carafes of local crisp vino bianco; stunningly beautiful men and women lining the beaches under their beach cabanas. Sigh…a story for another day.)

With the vision of bathing suits in mind, I attempted to re-create Giuseppe’s mouthwatering recipe but lighten it up even a bit further.  Instead of frying the eggplant, I choose to roast it instead.  I have to be honest, as I layered the roasted eggplant with the simple tomato sauce; I was worried it wouldn’t be hearty enough. Could this simple rustic layering of roasted eggplant and sauce be enough to satisfy for dinner? I am happy to report that my worry was for naught – the roasting concentrated the flavor of the eggplant further and the creaminess mingled deliciously with the tomato sauce and hints of cheese. Delicious!

Buon appetito!

Michele

(Even Lighter) Classic Eggplant Parmigiana

Ingredients:

For the eggplant:

2 medium-large eggplants

Salt

For the sauce:

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

3 cloves garlic, minced

Pinch hot pepper flakes (optional)

1 (28 ounce) can diced or whole tomatoes (preferably San Marzano)

Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Fresh basil leaves

To assemble:

1 large or 2 medium sized balls of fresh mozzarella (about 6-8 ounces total), torn into little shreds

Freshly grated Parmigiano

Directions:

Prepare the eggplant: Peel the eggplant and cut lengthwise into long slices, about 1/4 of an inch thick.  Layer the slices in a colander. Sprinkle each layer generously with salt. Continue to layer the slices until finished.  Allow the eggplant to drain in the sink for a minimum of 30 minutes but you can allow to sit longer while you prepare the sauce.

Make the sauce: Heat the olive oil in a saucepan or skillet over medium heat.  Add in the garlic and pinch of hot pepper flakes (if using). Cook until garlic is fragrant being careful to not let brown – about 30 seconds to 1 minute.  Add in the diced tomatoes.  Allow the sauce to come to a simmer. Cook until the tomatoes break down and the sauce thickens  – about 20 minutes. (Allow the sauce to become thick and chunky so the finished dish is not too watery.) Once thickened, season with salt and freshly ground black pepper. Chiffonade a few basil leaves (roll lengthwise and cut into little slices.) Stir to combine. Taste and adjust any seasonings.

Roast the eggplant:  While the sauce is cooking, preheat the oven to 425 degrees Fahrenheit.  Lightly coat 2 sheet pans with olive oil. Rinse and dry the eggplant slices. Lay the slices on the pan and brush he tops with additional olive oil. Sprinkle with salt and freshly ground pepper.  Bake until soft and golden, about 20 minutes. Check half way through and turn slices. Remove from oven. Allow to cool until possible to handle. Maintain oven temperature.

Assemble and bake:  In a baking dish, spread a thin layer of the tomato sauce on the bottom. Layer about 1/3 of the eggplant slices over the tomato sauce.  Spread with another thin layer of tomato sauce. Sprinkle with about 1/3 of the mozzarella and a dusting of Parmigiano. Repeat with the remaining eggplant, tomato sauce and cheeses. I give the top an extra dusting of Parmigiano.  Bake until the cheese has melted and the sauce is nice and bubbly, about 25 minutes.

Allow the dish to rest for about 15 minutes before serving. Buon appetito!