Eggplant Parmigiana

Eggplant is one of those vegetables that people seem to either love, hate or have never tried.  My husband will admit that he had never tasted it before we were married.  The first time he had my Eggplant Parmesan he became a fan.  He compared it to lasagna.  This is recipe I recommend to try Eggplant for the first time!  

1 large eggplant flour, for dusting 1 egg 1/2 pound mozzarella cheese 3 cups milk 1 tablespoon clarified butter 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 jar of marinara sauce 1 cup dry bread crumbs 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese
Read more at http://www.recipelion.com/Casserole-Recipes/Olive-Garden-Eggplant-Parmigiana/ct/1#qfTDAgcMQZmISZHH.99

1 large eggplant flour, for dusting 1 egg 1/2 pound mozzarella cheese 3 cups milk 1 tablespoon clarified butter 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 jar of marinara sauce 1 cup dry bread crumbs 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese
Read more at http://www.recipelion.com/Casserole-Recipes/Olive-Garden-Eggplant-Parmigiana/ct/1#qfTDAgcMQZmISZHH.99

1 large eggplant flour, for dusting 1 egg 1/2 pound mozzarella cheese 3 cups milk 1 tablespoon clarified butter 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 jar of marinara sauce 1 cup dry bread crumbs 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese
Read more at http://www.recipelion.com/Casserole-Recipes/Olive-Garden-Eggplant-Parmigiana/ct/1#qfTDAgcMQZmISZHH.99

1 large eggplant flour, for dusting 1 egg 1/2 pound mozzarella cheese 3 cups milk 1 tablespoon clarified butter 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 jar of marinara sauce 1 cup dry bread crumbs 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese
Read more at http://www.recipelion.com/Casserole-Recipes/Olive-Garden-Eggplant-Parmigiana/ct/1#qfTDAgcMQZmISZHH.99

1 large eggplant flour, for dusting 1 egg 1/2 pound mozzarella cheese 3 cups milk 1 tablespoon clarified butter 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 jar of marinara sauce 1 cup dry bread crumbs 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese
Read more at http://www.recipelion.com/Casserole-Recipes/Olive-Garden-Eggplant-Parmigiana/ct/1#qfTDAgcMQZmISZHH.99

1 large eggplant flour, for dusting 1 egg 1/2 pound mozzarella cheese 3 cups milk 1 tablespoon clarified butter 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 jar of marinara sauce 1 cup dry bread crumbs 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese
Read more at http://www.recipelion.com/Casserole-Recipes/Olive-Garden-Eggplant-Parmigiana/ct/1#qfTDAgcMQZmISZHH.99

1 large eggplant flour, for dusting 1 egg 1/2 pound mozzarella cheese 3 cups milk 1 tablespoon clarified butter 2 teaspoons olive oil 1 jar of marinara sauce 1 cup dry bread crumbs 3/4 cup Parmesan cheese
Read more at http://www.recipelion.com/Casserole-Recipes/Olive-Garden-Eggplant-Parmigiana/ct/1#qfTDAgcMQZmISZHH.99

Serves: 3 or 4 

EGGPLANT PARMIGIANA INGREDIENTS:

3 or 4 small Eggplant OR 1 large Eggplant

Tomato Sauce (I used Prego Spicy Sausage)

3/4 cup Panko Bread Crumbs

5 oz. Shredded Mozzarella Cheese (or Italian Blend)

1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese

1 Green Pepper (Optional)

1 Egg                         

COOKING STEPS:
 Preheat Oven to 350 degrees

STEP 1: Cut green stem off Eggplant

STEP 2: Peel skin off Eggplant

STEP 3: Cut Eggplant into 1/2" slices

STEP 4: Put Eggplant on cookie sheet and salt first side- wait 15 min- then flip and salt the other side- wait 15 more minutes.  Next rinse and drain the Eggplant. Pat dry and set aside.

(Eggplant can have a bitter taste before you cook it.  I recommend the process of "degorging" the fruit by salting, rinsing and draining it.  This helps to remove any bitterness.)

STEP 5: Mix Egg in a bowl.  Then dip both sides of Eggplant

STEP 6: Dip Eggplant in Panko Bread Crumbs. 

STEP 7: Place breaded Eggplant in oiled skillet and repeat until all pieces are coated.

STEP 8: While Eggplant is cooking prepare casserole dish.  Put 1/3 of Tomato Sauce in bottom of dish.

STEP 9: Flip Eggplant so both sides are cooked.  (Optional) Cut Green Pepper and cook in small skillet.

STEP 10: Place cooked Eggplant in casserole dish on top of sauce.

STEP 11: Place half of shredded cheese on top of Eggplant.

STEP 12: Add half of Parmesan. Add cooked Green Pepper (optional)

STEP 13: Add 1/3 of sauce and the rest of the cooked Eggplant

STEP 14: Finish off with the rest of the shredded cheese and Parmesan.

STEP 15: Cover and Cook at 350 degrees for  25-30 minutes.

Serve and Enjoy!

Last year we had so many Eggplant (23 Lavender Touch Eggplant & 6 Black Beauty Eggplant) that we were able to fry it and also make Eggplant Parmesan several times (as well as some other Eggplant dishes).  This year I am satisfied to say that we were able to make it twice!