Eggplant Parmesan

This recipe is delicious but definitely a little more time consuming. Make sure you've read through the directions so you've given yourself enough time for prep work. To save time I used jarred spaghetti sauce (TJ's tomato basil) and salted the eggplant earlier in the day.

Source: Everyday Food

Prep: 45 minutes

Total: 2 hours

Ingredients

Serves 6

• 2 cans (28 ounces each) whole peeled tomatoes (I used 2 jars spaghetti sauce)
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• Coarse salt and ground pepper
• 2 large globe eggplants (about 2 pounds total), cut crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick slices
• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 3 eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 cup plain dried breadcrumbs (I used Panko breadcrumbs)
• Vegetable oil, for frying
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan
• 1/2 pound whole fresh mozzarella, cut into large chunks (this totally makes the dish! yum!)

Directions

1. In a food processor, puree tomatoes; transfer to a medium saucepan and stir in olive oil. Bring to a boil; reduce to a simmer and cook until thickened, 30 minutes. Season tomato sauce with salt and pepper. (or gladly skip this step if you use jarred spaghetti sauce).
2. Meanwhile, in a colander, toss eggplant with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt. Let stand 30 minutes. Press slices between a double layer of paper towels to dry. Dredge eggplant in flour (shaking off excess), then dip in eggs (allowing excess to drip off), and sprinkle lightly with breadcrumbs.
3. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Place a wire rack on a rimmed baking sheet; set aside. In a large skillet, pour enough vegetable oil to come halfway up side. Heat oil over medium-high until pinch of breadcrumbs dropped in skillet sizzles. In batches, fry eggplant until golden, 2 to 3 minutes per side; transfer to rack to drain.
4. Spread 1 cup tomato sauce in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Layer half the eggplant over sauce and sprinkle with cup Parmesan. Top with 1 1/2 cups sauce, then remaining eggplant. Finish with remaining sauce, cup Parmesan, and mozzarella. Bake until lightly browned and bubbling, 40 to 45 minutes.
5. To Freeze: Assemble dish but do not bake; wrap tightly with foil and freeze, up to 3 months. Thaw completely, then bake as directed.