This vegetarian dish will be a hit at your table, featuring fried and breaded eggplant topped with melted cheese and sprinkled with parsley.
Courtesy of Alison Kent
ingredients
directions
In a saucepan, heat 1 tbsp (15 mL) of the oil over medium-high heat; fry onion and garlic until softened, about 3 minutes. Add tomatoes, vinegar, basil, and half each of the salt and pepper; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, partially cover and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Spread in bottom of a square or oval 8-cup (2 L) glass baking dish.
In a shallow bowl, mix flour and remaining salt and pepper. In a second shallow bowl, beat eggs with 1 tbsp (15 mL) water. In a third shallow bowl, combine panko and 2 tbsp (30 mL) of the parsley. Lightly coat each slice of eggplant in flour, shaking off excess. Dip into egg mixture; coat with panko mixture.
Heat 2 or 3 tbsp (30 to 45 mL) of the remaining oil in a large skillet over medium heat; fry eggplant, turning once, until golden and crisp on the outside and tender on the inside, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer eggplant to baking dish, overlapping slices slightly to cover bottom. Repeat with some of the remaining oil and eggplant, adding more oil, if necessary. Once all eggplant is in dish, sprinkle with cheese and remaining parsley.
Bake in preheated 400°F (200°C) oven until bubbly and cheese melts, about 10 minutes.