Eggplant parmesan is a classic Italian dish that is enjoyed by people all over the world. It is a delicious and versatile dish that can be served as an appetizer, main course, or side dish. If you are looking to make the best contest-winning eggplant parmesan, there are a few things you need to know. First, you need to choose the right eggplant. The best eggplants for eggplant parmesan are firm and have a deep purple color. Second, you need to slice the eggplant thinly and evenly. This will help the eggplant to cook evenly and prevent it from becoming mushy. Third, you need to bread the eggplant in a mixture of flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs. This will help the eggplant to brown and become crispy. Finally, you need to bake the eggplant parmesan in a hot oven until it is golden brown and bubbly.
Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!
JAMIE OLIVER'S EGGPLANT PARMESAN
This recipe is an adaptation of one found in Jamie Oliver's book, "Jamie's Italy." It's a healthier version than the traditional Italian-American juggernaut; it omits breading and frying the eggplant, and instead calls for roasting the eggplant until golden brown.
Provided by Marian Burros
Categories dinner, weekday, main course
Time 1h45m
Yield 4 to 5 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 450 degrees. Brush both sides of eggplant slices with oil, and place in a single layer on two or more baking sheets. Bake until undersides are golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes, then turn and bake until other sides are lightly browned. Set aside. Reduce oven temperature to 375 degrees.
- Meanwhile, in a large saucepan over medium heat, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil and add onion. Sauté until soft, about 10 minutes. Add garlic and dried oregano and sauté another 30 seconds. Add tomatoes and their juices, breaking up whole tomatoes with your hands. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer 15 to 20 minutes.
- Add vinegar, basil and salt and pepper to taste. Into a 9-by-9-inch, 10-by-5-inch or 10-by-6-inch baking pan, spoon a small amount of tomato sauce, then add a thin scattering of parmigiano, then a single layer of eggplant. Repeat until all ingredients are used, ending with a little sauce and a sprinkling of parmigiano. In a small bowl, combine bread crumbs and oregano, if using, with just enough olive oil to moisten. Sprinkle on top. If desired, recipe can be made to this point and refrigerated. Bring to room temperature before baking.
- Bake until eggplant mixture is bubbly and center is hot, 30 to 45 minutes depending on size of pan and thickness of layers. Remove from heat and allow to rest for 5 minutes before serving. Recipe can also be reheated.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 268, UnsaturatedFat 8 grams, Carbohydrate 36 grams, Fat 12 grams, Fiber 13 grams, Protein 10 grams, SaturatedFat 3 grams, Sodium 1283 milligrams, Sugar 18 grams
THE BEST EGGPLANT PARMESAN RECIPE BY TASTY
Here's what you need: medium eggplants, coarse salt, all-purpose flour, dried oregano, dried basil, garlic powder, pepper, vegetable oil, marinara sauce, fresh basil, low-moisture mozzarella, shredded parmesan cheese, fresh mozzarella cheese
Provided by Gwenaelle Le Cochennec
Categories Dinner
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Cut each eggplant into about ½-inch (1-cm) thick round slices.
- Arrange the slices in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with paper towels.
- Sprinkle the eggplant with half of the coarse salt. Flip the slices over and sprinkle with the rest of the salt.
- Put another baking sheet on top of the eggplant and place something heavy, like a cast-iron skillet, on the top baking sheet to help release moisture from the eggplant. Let sit for 30 minutes.
- Uncover the eggplant slices and pat dry with paper towels. Brush most of the salt from the eggplant with a paper towel, then transfer to a medium bowl. Set aside.
- In a separate medium bowl, combine the flour, oregano, basil, garlic powder, and pepper. Mix well.
- Heat the vegetable oil in a large frying pan until it reaches 375°F (190°C).
- Coat each eggplant slice in the flour mixture, shaking off any excess flour.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C).
- Fry the eggplant in batches until golden brown on both sides, 2-3 minutes per side. Drain on a paper towel-lined baking sheet and pat dry using more paper towels to absorb excess oil.
- Pour about 1 cup (260 g) of marinara sauce into a 2½-quart (2 L) baking dish and spread evenly to cover the bottom of the dish.
- Add about 8 eggplant slices (it's okay if they overlap) and cover with ½ cup (130 g) of marinara. Sprinkle with a third of the fresh basil, then top with about a third of the shredded mozzarella and Parmesan. Repeat to make 2 more layers. Finish with the fresh mozzarella cheese and a final sprinkling of Parmesan.
- Bake for 30 minutes, until the mozzarella is bubbling and golden brown.
- Let cool for 10 minutes, then serve garnished with fresh basil.
- Enjoy!
CONTEST-WINNING EGGPLANT PARMESAN
Because my recipe calls for baking the eggplant instead of frying it, it's much healthier than other parmesans! The prep time is a little longer than for some recipes, but the Italian flavors and rustic elegance are well worth it. -Laci Hooten, McKinney, Texas
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Dinner
Time 1h5m
Yield 8 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°. Place eggs and bread crumbs in separate shallow bowls. Dip eggplant slices in eggs, then coat in crumbs. Place on baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake until tender and golden brown, 15-20 minutes, turning once., In a small bowl, combine mushrooms, basil and oregano. In another small bowl, combine mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses., Spread 1/2 cup sauce into a 13x9-in. baking dish coated with cooking spray. Layer with a third of the mushroom mixture, a third of the eggplant, 3/4 cup sauce and a third of the cheese mixture. Repeat layers twice., Bake, uncovered, until heated through and cheese is melted, 25-30 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 305 calories, Fat 12g fat (5g saturated fat), Cholesterol 102mg cholesterol, Sodium 912mg sodium, Carbohydrate 32g carbohydrate (12g sugars, Fiber 9g fiber), Protein 18g protein.
MIKE'S DELI FAMOUS EGGPLANT PARMIGIANA
Provided by Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 1h5m
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and heat oil in a large pan, Dutch oven or deep-fryer.
- Peel the eggplant and slice into 1/4-inch thick slices. Coat each side of the eggplant with the flour.
- In a separate bowl beat 4 eggs and dip the eggplant into the egg to coat both sides. Then take your bread crumbs and do the same to coat each side.
- Once the oil is hot, put the eggplant in the hot oil and fry until golden brown. You can also use a deep-fryer and leave in for about 2 to 3 minutes.
- Once all of the eggplant has been fried, get a rectangular baking pan and start the layering by adding the marinara sauce to the bottom of the pan, then the eggplant, more sauce, fresh mozzarella, Romano cheese, and continue to layer until you have reached the top of the pan. Top off with sauce, mozzarella, and grated Romano
- Place the eggplant into the oven and cook for 20 to 25 minutes.
HEALTHIER EGGPLANT PARMESAN II
I like this recipe because it is not fried and very tasty. I like to make it healthier by using whole wheat breadcrumbs and reducing the amount of fat. Also, by using mostly egg-whites instead of whole eggs I am able to reduce the cholesterol level.
Provided by MakeItHealthy
Categories Main Dish Recipes Vegetable Main Dish Recipes Eggplant Parmesan Recipes
Time 1h
Yield 8
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
- Beat together egg, egg whites, and water in a shallow bowl. Dip eggplant slices in egg, then bread crumbs. Place in a single layer on a baking sheet. Bake in preheated oven until fork tender, 7 to 10 minutes on each side.
- Spread spaghetti sauce to cover the bottom of a 9x13-inch baking dish. Place a layer of eggplant slices in the sauce. Sprinkle with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses. Repeat with remaining ingredients, ending with cheeses. Sprinkle basil on top.
- Bake in preheated oven until golden brown, about 35 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 424 calories, Carbohydrate 51.1 g, Cholesterol 58.6 mg, Fat 15.5 g, Fiber 12.7 g, Protein 22.4 g, SaturatedFat 7 g, Sodium 1301.6 mg, Sugar 21.2 g
Tips:
- To ensure the eggplant is not bitter, choose younger eggplants, as they contain fewer seeds and less bitterness. If using larger, more mature eggplants, salt them and let them rest for 30 minutes to draw out the bitterness.
- Slice the eggplant into uniform slices to ensure even cooking. Aim for 1/2-inch thick slices.
- Dredge the eggplant slices in flour, beaten eggs, and breadcrumbs to create a crispy coating. Season the breadcrumb mixture with salt, pepper, garlic powder, and Italian seasoning for added flavor.
- Pan-fry the eggplant slices in hot oil until golden brown and crispy on both sides. This step adds a delicious crunch to the eggplant.
- Use a flavorful tomato sauce for the eggplant parmesan. Homemade tomato sauce is ideal, but you can also use a good-quality store-bought sauce. Add some fresh basil or oregano for extra flavor.
- Layer the eggplant, tomato sauce, and mozzarella cheese in a baking dish. Repeat the layers until you have used up all the ingredients. Top with a final layer of mozzarella cheese.
- Bake the eggplant parmesan in a preheated oven until the cheese is melted and bubbly, and the eggplant is tender. The cooking time may vary depending on the thickness of the eggplant slices.
- Serve the eggplant parmesan hot, garnished with fresh basil or oregano. It pairs well with a side of pasta or salad.
Conclusion:
Eggplant parmesan is a delicious and versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish. It's perfect for a weeknight meal or a special occasion. With its crispy eggplant, flavorful tomato sauce, and melted mozzarella cheese, eggplant parmesan is sure to be a hit with everyone who tries it. So next time you're looking for a delicious and easy-to-make dish, give eggplant parmesan a try.
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