Of course the problem with preparing great big lumps of tender meat dripping with rich wine-based sauces is that no one else wants to eat them. So in the interests of maintaining a healthy marriage I do like to delve into the depths of vegetarian cuisine.
But chickpeas, lentils….spelt!? Come on. I’d end up growing a tail and start nibbling raw carrot. So I’m always looking out for UVCs (Unusual Vegetable Creations). And here we focus on the Aubergine. ‘Aubergine’? Alright the Eggplant. But I can’t call it that because it neither has the shape of an egg, nor the colour (Why is it called an eggplant? Come to think of it, why is it called an aubergine? I’m renaming it – ‘Purple Shiny Potato’).
But aubergines have a reputation – big mushy things that need to be soaked in salt water to remove the bitterness, right? Wrong that’s all old-school – you can cook them nowadays like anything else. But we don’t do ‘anything else’ here, and found this interesting way of preparing them.
Roast Aubergine Parmigiana Ingredients
- 2 aubergine
- A big lump of mozzarella (like in the picture above)
- 3 cloves garlic
- 1 tin (pack) diced tomato
- 2 tbsp tomato puree
- small handful basil
- 1 tsp honey
- 2 tsp fresh thyme
- 6 pieces sundried tomato
- parmesan
- handful of breadcrumbs
First off fry the garlic and the stalks of the basil in some olive oil:
Add both tomato varieties, the honey, the thyme and let simmer:
Meanwhile get the aubergine ready. Cut each one cross-wise six times, but not right through, just deep slits:
Now stick a slice of mozzarella and a basil leaf into each slit:
Put some sauce into some small dishes and then pop the aubergines on top. Season with S&P and drizzle some olive oil on top:
Cover with foil and bake at 200 centigrade for about 45 mins:
Remove from the oven and take off the foil. Sprinkle with parmesan and breadcrumbs and return to the oven to crisp up the topping for 10 mins:
Serve with a few basil leaves and a bit of balsamic if you fancy it. What was it like? I mean a great big juicy veg thing? Not bad – quite meaty in fact – take a look inside:
The only significant calories here are cheese based! (Okay there’s quite a lot of cheese).
Looks fantastic!
Yes very wholesome
Oh this looks great! Thanks for sharing
Thanks for liking
That’s one for me to try. In the past I’ve always found the egg plant bitter tasting. Must be me!
Yes they used to be but they’ve kind of got rid of the bitterness somehow
Wow, this is explosive with cheese! Looks delicious! You two need to have your own cookbook or show on TV.
What an interesting way to make Eggplant Parmigiana! I love the combination of eggplant, tomato, basil, and mozzarella, so this must have been delicious. Have you ever tried the traditional way? I suppose I should post about this some time. The difference is that the aubergine slices are first roasted in the oven, then stacked in an oven dish, covered with tomato sauce, mozzarella and parmigiano, and then roasted again to melt the cheese. I believe it may boost the flavor of the eggplant a little more, but it doesn’t look as pretty as yours.
Yes do the traditional version that would be good
Stan – veggie Chilli – any ideas? Got some staying this weekend
Two words – Quorn mince. With red kidney beans and onions, green peppers and tomato passata. Serve with rice, cheese and a big dollop of sour cream. Quorn mince is excellent stuff! I still have to post that creation actually – good luck!
Cheers!
Yum. Your purple shiny potato dish looks awesome!
🙂
Much better term for the veg don;t you think!?
Totally!
That is a different way of preparing eggplant parmigiana. Covering the eggplants must have tenderized the skin. Would it taste meatier with a glass of red?
Red indeed and you know I’m not sure I didn’t accidentally chuck in a glass or two intot he tomato sauce….
Now that is truly awesome! I love everything about it although my husband always ‘claims’ that the store doesn’t have eggplants when I put it on the grocery list. Funny about that because when I swing by they always seem to have a plentiful supply. The mozzarella in the slices is a great way to do this. I don’t care! He’s going to give it a try or make himself a sandwich because I’m making this one.
Yes its got some substance to it and it doesnt taste weird at all!
Wow! I love eggplant parmigiano and this takes it to a new level in ease and eye appeal.
Well thanks – nice to know you heard of it – first time I came across it done like this!
What an awesome recipe! I LOVE IT!
Well thanks – it looks good and tastes good!
I would definitiely eat that 🙂
Well worth a go!