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Recipe: Eggplant Parmesan with Homemade Red Sauce

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This recipe is a delicious, modern interpretation of an Italian classic--and a meatless meal the whole family will enjoy. The homemade red sauce is easy to make, and tastes better than jarred marinara.

Why try? Many people are trying to cut back on meat consumption. This entree makes an excellent meatless choice--it has such a rich, "meaty" flavor, your kids may not realize it's not Chicken Parmesan unless you tell them.

Foodie Byte: Chef Judy recommends you use Japanese-style bread crumbs for a crispier crust, and, if you're in a pinch for time, you can substitute your favorite prepared pasta sauce.

Read our article on the Meatless Monday initiative, which includes more delicious meat-free recipe ideas.

Copyright 2011. The Food Channel®. All Rights Reserved. For permission to use in a printed cookbook or commercial website, please contact Editor.

 

Ingredients

  • Red Sauce:
  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 cups chopped yellow onion
  • 4 garlic cloves, minced
  • 28 ounce can crushed tomatoes in tomato puree
  • 28 ounce can diced tomatoes
  • 8 ounce can tomato paste
  • 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat leaf parsley
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons Kosher salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon coarse ground black pepper
  • Eggplant:
  • 5 cups Japanese breadcrumbs
  • Butter, for greasing the dish
  • 5 large eggs, beaten
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 2 to 3 medium eggplants, cut into ½-inch thick round slices (need 16 slices)
  • All-purpose flour, for dredging
  • Vegetable oil, for frying
  • Red Sauce
  • 12 ounces grated mozzarella (not fresh)
  • 1/2 pound fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced
  • 3/4 cup parmesan cheese

Preparation

  1. Preparation for Red Sauce:
  2. Heat olive oil in a large pan. Add onion and sauté over medium-low heat for 5 minutes.
  3. Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
  4. Add tomatoes, tomato paste, parsley, basil, salt and pepper. Simmer, uncovered, over medium-low heat, for 15 to 20 minutes or until thick.
  5. Preparation for Eggplant:
  6. Preheat oven to 400°F.
  7. Lightly butter the bottom and sides of 8 individual 4x6 baking dishes.
  8. Place breadcrumbs in a large shallow bowl.
  9. In another shallow bowl, whisk eggs and 2 tablespoons water together.
  10. Season each eggplant slice with salt and pepper on both sides. Dredge each slice in flour, tapping off excess, dip in egg, and dredge in breadcrumbs. Shake off excess breading and transfer each eggplant slice to a baking sheet.
  11. Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in sauté pans over medium heat. Working in small batches, fry a few of the eggplant slices, turning once, for 3 minutes or until golden brown. Using tongs, transfer to a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining eggplant.
  12. Cover the bottom of the prepared baking dish with some tomato sauce and arrange eggplant slices on top. Cover eggplant with more sauce, and grated mozzarella. Repeat to make layers ending with the sauce. Top with the fresh mozzarella and Parmesan cheese.
  13. Bake until hot and just beginning to brown, about 30 minutes.
  14. Let rest 10 minutes before serving.
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