Description
Delectable crispy eggplant parmigiana with herbed breadcrumbs showcases Italian culinary mastery through layered, golden-brown excellence. Cheese-laden slices and fragrant herbs promise a satisfying meal that delights palates with Mediterranean charm.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large eggplants
- 3 eggs
- 1 lb (453.6 g) mozzarella cheese, sliced or shredded
- 1 ½ to 2 ½ cups marinara sauce
- 6 bread slices
- ¼ cup (60 ml) olive oil (for frying)
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- ½ cup shredded parmesan cheese
- ⅓ cup shredded parmesan cheese
- 2 tsps Italian herb blend
- 1 tsp garlic powder
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp black pepper
- 1–2 tbsps fresh basil, chopped
- 1 tsp fresh oregano, chopped
Instructions
- Preparation: Slice eggplant into uniform circular rounds, maintaining consistent thickness for even cooking.
- Salt Treatment: Generously sprinkle kosher salt on eggplant surfaces, allowing moisture extraction for 10 minutes to reduce bitterness and enhance flavor profile.
- Breadcrumb Creation: Transform bread into fine, golden breadcrumbs by toasting and processing, then blend with parmesan, Italian herbs, garlic, salt, and black pepper for robust seasoning.
- Breading Station: Establish three-stage coating process – flour dredging, egg dipping, and herbed breadcrumb pressing to ensure complete, crispy coverage.
- Cooking Method: Choose between frying in olive oil until golden-brown (2-3 minutes per side) or baking at 350°F (175°C) for 25 minutes until crisp and tender.
- Layering Technique: Construct multi-dimensional casserole by alternating marinara sauce, breaded eggplant slices, mozzarella, and parmesan cheese, creating complex flavor and textural dimensions.
- Final Baking: Roast assembled dish at 400°F (204°C) for 30 minutes, ensuring cheese becomes bubbly with slightly browned surface.
- Finishing Touch: Garnish with fresh basil and oregano leaves to introduce vibrant aromatic elements to the crispy eggplant parmigiana.
Notes
- Salt Treatment Magic: Extracting moisture from eggplant reduces bitterness and prevents soggy texture, creating a more refined and crispy final dish.
- Breading Technique Mastery: Systematic three-stage coating ensures maximum crunch by creating layers of flour, egg, and seasoned breadcrumbs that lock in flavor and create a perfect golden exterior.
- Cooking Method Flexibility: Choose between frying for intense crispiness or baking for a healthier approach, both techniques delivering delicious results with slight textural variations.
- Cheese Layer Strategy: Alternating layers of marinara, eggplant, and multiple cheese types builds complex flavor depth and ensures each bite is rich and satisfying.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 55 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Italian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 400
- Sugar: 6 g
- Sodium: 700 mg
- Fat: 20 g
- Saturated Fat: 8 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 18 g
- Cholesterol: 120 mg