do you peel eggplant for eggplant parmesan
The standard answer is yes; you should peel the eggplant. Bake at 375 F for 25-28 minutes, until nicely browned on top. It is pretty clear that eggplants skin is edible, but with the old and huge eggplants, you need to peel the skin off. After several hours, the slices will be leathery and chewy and not bitter at all. WebExplore Do You Peel Eggplant For Eggplant Parmesan with all the useful information below including suggestions, reviews, top brands, and related recipes, and more. Line the breaded eggplant on lightly greased baking sheets and bake for 20 minutes. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F. In a shallow dish, beat eggs. If youd like to use your own recipe or store-bought sauce, youll need the same amount (48 ounces). The skin is entirely edible, though with larger eggplants it can be a little tough. Sprinkle on half of the basil and half of the parmesan cheese. But when the eggplant is undercooked, it makes for a mouthful of unpleasantness. You can also freeze the baked casserole up to 3 months, defrost in the refrigerator, and then bake for serving. The outside of the eggplant still gets crispy and flavorful before the sauce and cheese is added on top (thanks to a buttered dish), so you wont end up with a soggy vegetable. baked eggplant parmesan, baked eggplant parmesan recipe, Eggplant parmesan, simple eggplant parmesan. Unless the skin is reinforcing eggplant halves or slices, make sure your eggplant is peeled before cooking it and digging in. The salt helps draw moisture out of the eggplant. Arrange eggplant in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet and spray with oil. WebPeel the eggplant and slice into 1/4-inch thick slices. No, as I said were keeping this recipe quick and easy! The milk not only tempers the bitterness, but it actually makes for eggplant that is extra creamy, since the vegetable acts like a sponge and soaks up a good amount of milk in its flesh. And in the case of eggplant Parmesan, the most important factor is the flour dredge. Sprinkle on a light coating of parmesan cheese. Layer with eggplant slices. While the peel has many nutrients, it can be bitter, but if you remove the peel, the slices become mushy and lose their form. You can read the comments below and see that those who took the extra step did not regret it! They are also sensitive to ethylene, which is a gas that some produce emit as they ripen. Pre-heat your oven to 400F and lightly grease a sheetpan, as well as a 9 x 12 casserole dish with butter or pam spray. In some parts of Italy, they actually add layers of ham or a meaty ragu to top the eggplant. How long does eggplant last in fridge? Eggplant Parmesan is a classic Italian dish. If your eggplant is young, tender, and on the small side, the nutrient-rich skin Bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until golden brown. Increase the heat to bring to a simmer, then lower the heat to maintain a very low simmer for 15 minutes, uncovered. WebPeel the eggplant and slice into 1/4-inch thick slices. WebPeel the eggplant and slice into 1/4-inch thick slices. Dip eggplant slices in egg, then in bread crumbs. Toss with olive oil and roast 20 to 25 minutes, tossing halfway through, until eggplant is golden and tender. Spoon marinara sauc e on the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch casserole dish. As far as the nutrients are considered, eggplant skin has a higher nutritional value, so if its thin, do eat the skin. 5 cups fresh breadcrumbs Layer with eggplant slices. Adding too much sauce to your eggplant Parmesan will result in soggy eggplant Parmesan soup. To get right down to it, no, it is not necessary to peel an eggplant. The eggplant is easier to handle when you peel along the length. Instructions. Pre-heat your oven to 400F and lightly grease a sheetpan, as well as a 9 x 12 casserole dish with butter or pam spray. See also What Do People Eat Eggplants With? It ends up being a matter of personal Top the casserole with more cheese before you place in the oven :). How long can you keep eggplant Parmesan in the fridge? All rights reserved. However, as the eggplant grows bigger and matures, the peel may become tough and bitter. The best way to keep the structure without losing texture is to peel the eggplant in stripes. 2 1/4 pounds globe eggplant (about 2 large), 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more to taste, 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil, divided, plus more to oil the sheet pans, 2 (28-ounce) cans whole peeled tomatoes (preferably San Marzano) diced, reserving the juices, or crushed tomatoes, 1/2cupfinely choppedfresh basil, packed, 1 1/4 cups shredded Parmesan cheese, divided, 1 1/2 pounds fresh mozzarella cheese, sliced into 1/4-inch slices. Line the breaded eggplant on lightly greased baking sheets and bake for 20 minutes. The standard answer is yes; you should peel the eggplant. The peel of an eggplant is completely edible. Those layers that you spent time building for maximum flavor and texture will fall apart. Though thick and chewy, eggplant skin is completely fine to eat and there are some people who prefer to leave the skin on their eggplant. Not only will the whole dish be too wet, but it will also keep you from cutting clean slices. Pre-heat your oven to 400F and lightly grease a sheetpan, as well as a 9 x 12 casserole dish with butter or pam spray. When my aunt recently passed along my grandmothers old recipe box, I spent hours pouring over all of her recipes. To test for ripeness, lightly press a finger against the skin. The classic eggplant Parmesan structure starts with a greased baking dish, then a layer of sauce, a layer of eggplant, another layer of sauce, and a layer of cheese. The best way to choose an eggplant is to look for one with shiny bright skin that feels heavy; if the skin is wrinkly or discolored, it is past its prime. But it's important to get the right kind of mozzarella. If you have knife skills and a steady hand, that should not be difficult, but if you struggle to keep them the same thickness, you can use a mandoline to ensure they are all the same size. Traditionally the tomato sauce for eggplant Parmesan is made with passata, which is an uncooked tomato puree. Set aside for 45 minutes, then pat each slice dry with a paper towel. Peel the eggplant and slice into 1/4-inch thick slices. While the peel has many nutrients, it can be bitter, but if you remove the peel, the slices become mushy and lose their form. No, we aren't suggesting taking your eggplant to the gym for a workout. The extra prep step may not seem worth it to you, but trust me it absolutely is and makes a huge difference. Reheat individual portions in a microwave, air fryer, or toaster oven. But you can make it from crushed tomatoes too. Some of the pieces may start to look a little shriveled; this is fine. 5 cups fresh breadcrumbs Home | What We're Eating | Grandma's Baked Eggplant Parmesan, published on Dec 28, 2021, updated Oct 02, 2022. Layer half of the sliced mozzarella on top of the eggplant rounds. The traditional Sicilian eggplant Parmesan calls for Sicilian cheeses like Sicilian Pecorino, caciocavallo, or scamorza. See also What Do People Eat Eggplants With? Dip each eggplant slice completely in the flour, followed by the egg, and finally the breadcrumb mixture. Remove from the oven and let sit for 10 minutes before cutting into to serve. Brush 2 baking sheets with oil; set aside. Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes. This was the first time Ive made eggplant parmesan and this was absolutely delicious. Posted by: tomcat. Once youre ready to bake it, I would let the casserole dish sit at room temperature while the oven is pre-heating. Posted by: tomcat. Eggplants are nightshades with bitter compounds, and they need to sweat out some of that bitterness before they are ready to cook. Before you get started, lets discuss the best way to prepare the eggplant for this dish. To start, preheat your air fryer to 350F. Repeat the layer once more: eggplant, marinara, mozzarella and Parmesan. Try one or more of these simple tweaks for a more flavorful sauce: Like many good casseroles, eggplant Parmesan makes great leftovers. Continue to fry the eggplant slices, adding more oil as needed to the skillet. Please read my disclosure policy. First, when shopping for an eggplant, look for a vegetable with smooth, shiny skin thats uniform in color and heavy for its size. The bottom of the eggplant should be tilted away from you or to the side. Thank tou. Beat 4 eggs in a bowl. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Place in a single layer in the prepared baking dish. Breading and frying is an art form. Cook for 4-5 minutes, flipping halfway through. This can help the eggplant stay crisp after cooking because it removes some moisture before it has a chance to create sogginess. Place the eggplant parmesan slices in the air fryer basket so they are not overlapping and spray lightly with cooking oil spray or brush with oil. Bake for 25 minutes or until heated through. The technique I talk about is 100% worth it. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. The sauce doesn't need a lot of extras, and in some regions, it doesn't even contain the classic onion and garlic, which are common in many Italian dishes. cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided teaspoon dried basil Directions Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Roast in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, flipping eggplant slices halfway through. 4. Eggplant Parmesan is an architectural delight. Sharpen your knives before making eggplant Parmesan to get the perfect slice. Combine 1 1/2 cups of the breadcrumbs with 1/4 cup of the Parmesan cheese, and place in a shallow bowl or rimmed dish. 5 cups fresh breadcrumbs Unfortunately, this is a common mistake when making eggplant Parmesan, and it's easy to see why. In this recipe, to tackle the first challenge we lightly salt the raw eggplant slices and let them sit out for a while. People often prefer to peel larger eggplants because of this, but smaller eggplants do just fine unpeeled. Make the sauce: Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a 4-quart saucepan on medium heat. Even though weve pulled out the moisture, there is still going to besome moisture so its best you fry up the coated eggplant ASAP. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Eggplant parmesan tastes very similar to regular chicken parmesan. Breading and frying the eggplant slices are part of the classic recipe, and if you skip this part, it can lead to soggy, mushy eggplant slices. Place another third of the eggplant rounds over the cheese. Calories and Fat Eggplant Parmesan serves up 133 to 160 calories per 5-ounce serving. Let the liquid pull out for 45 minutes to 1 hour. Salting the eggplant before cooking can also remove some bitterness. Remove from oven, and let cool to touch. This type of flour is light and has the consistency of fine baby powder. Repeat the layer once more: eggplant, marinara, mozzarella and Parmesan. So each diner receives a neatly arranged stack of eggplant Parmesan. And when you are salting eggplant for frying, it takes a lot more than just a quick sprinkle and rinse. Bake for 20 minutes, turning halfway through until eggplant is golden. In a 913 inch baking dish spread spaghetti sauce to cover the bottom. Preheat the oven to 400F and line 2 baking sheets with parchment paper. Dip eggplant slices in egg, then in bread crumbs. All that moisture beading up on top of the eggplant? The photos were updated in December, 2021. As a result, the process will take much quicker and you are less likely to accidentally cut yourself. Once eggplant is drained, rinse, dry, and place on baking sheet. Top with half of the remaining marinara, and then layer on all of the mozzarella slices. Try swapping out the red sauce for a creamy white sauce, or even a bright green pesto would be a fun addition. Peel the skin away to get a thinner, moreopoulos texture. Required fields are marked *, Copyright 2023 All about parmesan. Peel eggplant and cut into -inch thick slices. Cook for 4-5 minutes, flipping halfway through. Sprinkle both sides of the eggplant rounds lightly with salt. The eggplant is easier to handle when you peel along the length. Spoon on marinara sauce and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella and grated Parmesan. Here are four methods for baking frozen eggplant: 1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and place frozen eggplant on a baking sheet. Set aside for 45 minutes, then pat each slice dry with a paper towel. Simply cut off the end and slice into large, 1/4-inch thick circles. In a 913 inch baking dish spread spaghetti sauce to cover the bottom. 2 medium eggplant (about 2 1/4 pounds), cut into 1/2-inch-thick round slices. Peel eggplant and cut into 1 cubes. Pour marinara sauce over eggplant and top with mozzarella cheese. This is my favorite way to make eggplant parmesan. If you don't have a food dehydrator you can use the oven at about 200 degrees. You can find the complete collection of recipes onYouTube,Facebook Watch, or ourFacebook Page, or right here on our website with their corresponding recipes. Advertisement. Unless the skin is reinforcing eggplant halves or slices, make sure your eggplant is peeled before cooking it and digging in. WebThe peel of an eggplant is completely edible. Is it better to peel eggplant for eggplant parmesan? A good sauce should enhance a dish and not drown the key players. Add the minced garlic and gently cook for 1 minute or until fragrant. Bake in preheated oven for 15 - 20 minutes. As an eggplant grows larger, the skin can become tough and bitter something that I prefer to avoid. Mix well. The dish needs to rest for a couple of reasons, namely that slicing into a hot cheesy eggplant Parmesan fresh out of the oven is a surefire way to make it all fall apart. Bake in preheated oven for 35 minutes, or until Remove the eggplant slices from the milk and transfer them onto the prepared baking sheets. The standard answer is yes; you should peel the eggplant. Dip both sides of eggplant slice into milk/egg mixture then cover with breadcrumbs, shaking off the excess. In a large skillet with enough oil to cover entire base of pan, heat over high heat. I will definitely be serving this dish again in the near future. Flip and bake for 5 more minutes. 4. They do not like cold temperatures, so they should not be refrigerated. Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Top with cheese and return to the oven until cheese is melted and golden brown, 5 "If it's a larger vegetable, the skin tends to be thicker and harder to chew. 3. Bread the eggplant: Rinse the salt from the eggplant slices and pat dry with paper towels. Prepare a quick breading station, mixing the flour with the salt and pepper in a bowl, whisking the eggs with a fork in a second bowl, and finally mixing the breadcrumbs and shredded Parmesan in a third bowl. I used the broiler for 5 minutes to get the cheese nice and brown you dont have to, but if you do, watch it carefully! If you don't have 00 flour, you can also use panko, a light Japanese bread crumb mix that will yield similar results. Add 1 teaspoon of dried oregano or 2 teaspoons of chopped fresh oregano. Toss the eggplant with 1 tablespoon salt and let it drain in a colander for about 40 minutes. Always peel along the length of the eggplant (top to bottom) rather than peeling across the width (side to side). How do we pull moisture out of the eggplant? document.getElementById( "ak_js_5" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); RESTAURANT-QUALITY RECIPESYOU Serve with chopped fresh basil. The pastella is supposed to be about the consistency of pancake batter. Set aside for 45 minutes, then pat each slice dry with a paper towel. Line two large sheet trays with paper towels and lay the slices on top in a single layer. However, as the eggplant grows bigger and matures, the peel may become tough and bitter. 1 Cut the eggplant into 1/2-inch thick slices. Posted by: tomcat. In a wide, shallow bowl, whisk together eggs and 2 tablespoons water. If youd like to do so here, thats totally fine it wont hurt. Layer with eggplant slices. WebDeselect All. Make the pastella. Add garlic cloves and saut until browned, stirring occasionally to prevent scorching, about 3 to 4 minutes. It ends up being a matter of personal preference. The peel of an eggplant is completely edible. Delicious! When the eggplant is done move the oven rack down to the middle position and heat the oven to bake at 425F. Yes! Top with half of the remaining marinara, and then layer on all of the mozzarella slices. Do you have to peel eggplant before you cook it? What a great way to have a hearty meal without meat. Bake for 20 minutes; flip the slices over, and bake for an additional 15 minutes. And What you don't use freezes well or you can dry it more and just store it in Ziploc bags in the pantry. Eggplant slices of the same size are neatly stacked on top of each other with the sauce and cheese. I do not recommend freezing baked eggplant parmesan, as the high water content in the vegetable yields a mushy, soggy dish when thawed. Of course you peel it off. Here are four methods for baking frozen eggplant: 1) Preheat oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit and place frozen eggplant on a baking sheet. 5 Preheat the oven to 375. Privacy Policy. All you have to do is just pat it dry and dust off the excess salt and then youll be ready to start making your eggplant parmesan! In a medium-sized shallow dish, add the milk. Bold home chefs with a desire for order in the chaos have created a new pristine way of making the dish in stacks. As a result, the process will take much quicker and you are less likely to accidentally cut yourself. Bake for 20 minutes or until soft. Sprinkle with 1/3 cup of the Parmesan cheese. Its quick and easy to do so and you can enjoy delicious eggplant parm without feeling like there is plastic inside your meal. Ahanov Michael/Shutterstock. Required fields are marked *. Step. Bread the eggplant: Rinse the salt from the eggplant slices and pat dry with paper towels. Solanine protects these plants while they are still developing. Heat the oven: Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 350F. Add 3/4 cup of marinara sauce to the base of the casserole dish and spread to coat the bottom. Coat a 913 inch baking dish with cooking spray. Toss with olive oil and roast 20 to 25 minutes, tossing halfway through, until eggplant is golden and tender. Serve with chopped fresh basil. Table for Two is a registered mark owned by Julie Chiou. Arrange eggplant in a single layer on a parchment lined baking sheet and spray with oil. Hi, friend! Similar to other popular nightshades like tomatoes, peppers, and potatoes, eggplants prefer a room-temperature environment. People often prefer to peel larger eggplants because of this, but smaller eggplants do just fine unpeeled. in Parmesan Elise founded Simply Recipes in 2003 and led the site until 2019. How do you make eggplant parmesan from scratch? Coat each side of the eggplant with the flour. Its an instant transport back to my childhood table. Place remaining eggplant slices on top and cover with remaining marinara, basil, and parmesan cheese. Rinse lightly under cold water, place on paper towels, and pat dry. That is until I was introduced to the cheesy gloriousness of something called eggplant parmesan! Slice the vegetable cross-wise into -inch thick rounds. The best way to keep the structure without losing texture is to peel the eggplant in stripes. But ideally, you need to cook the entire dish a bit longer because you want the cheese to melt into the sauce and the eggplant slices to soak up the tomato sauce, giving the flavors and texture time to come together. It ends up being a matter of personal preference. The eggplant is easier to handle when you peel along the length. FAQ: How To Make Garlic And Parmesan Wings? WebMike's Deli Famous Eggplant Parmigiana Recipe | Food Network best www.foodnetwork.com. Of course, you want to fry the slices, but they do not need to be deep fried. My grandmothers easy Baked Eggplant Parmesan recipe is a delicious vegetarian dinner with just 15 minutes of prep! As a result, the process will take much quicker and you are less likely to accidentally cut yourself. Eggplant is hearty and meaty enough to take place as real protein so I can see why this dish is also a favorite amongst vegetarians and why someone came up with it. Coat each side of the eggplant with the flour. Called parmigiana, parmigiana di melanzane, or melanzane alla parmigiana in Italian, the dish is thought to have originated in the Southern regions of Campania and Sicily. Is it better to peel eggplant for eggplant parmesan? Nowadays, salting eggplant to sweat before using them is considered unnecessary. Meanwhile, prepare your ricotta mixture. It will keep in the fridge for up to 5 days. Let the eggplant rounds sit and release moisture for at least 1 hour and up to 2 hours. Pour a little marinara in the bottom of the pan and spread around It is one of those vegetables that, if made right, will keep its structure. Layer half of the eggplant slices onto the bottom. One common mistake many make with eggplant Parmesan is slicing the eggplant into thick, heavy slices. No frying in batches, no flipping at the stove, and so darn easy! 3 Comments. Prepare a quick breading station, mixing the flour with the salt and pepper in a bowl, whisking the eggs with a fork in a second bowl, and finally mixing the breadcrumbs and shredded Parmesan in a third bowl. WebHow to Peel Eggplant for Eggplant Parmesan 997 views Dec 20, 2020 3 Dislike Share ExpertVillage Leaf Group 3.58M subscribers How to Peel Eggplant for Eggplant Parmesan. CAN EASILY MAKE AT HOME, Copyright 2023 thestayathomechef.comAll rights reserved. Spoon marinara sauc e on the bottom of a 9 x 13 inch casserole dish. 4037 views. Medical News Today explains that using an oil that is heated to its smoke point can become carcinogenic, so it's important to use the right oil (and not too much of it). Dip eggplant slices in beaten egg, then in bread crumbs to coat. Are you considering peeling your eggplant for eggplant parmesan Here are some reasons why you might want to do so: Peel the skin away to get a more even texture. The peel of an eggplant is completely edible. Beat 4 eggs in a bowl. The best eggplant to use for classic eggplant Parmesan is the Sicilian eggplant. If you are serving a large group and prefer the orderly look of stacks, as long as the order of ingredients isn't altered, stacking instead of layering is fine. For the most precise nutritional data use your preferred nutrition calculator based on the actual ingredients you used in the recipe. December 22, 2011. To start, preheat your air fryer to 350F. Are you considering peeling your eggplant for eggplant parmesan Here are some reasons why you might want to do so: Peel the skin away to get a more even texture. Thats the salt doing its job! To start, preheat your air fryer to 350F. You want the slices to be uniform in thickness, but they only need to be about a inch thick. Set aside. So if you're not careful you can end up with something mushy and oily. To salt, or not to salt? This was my first taste of eggplant. Thank you for sharing it, I made this last night and OMG it was delicious! In a large skillet with enough oil to cover entire base of pan, heat over high heat. Top with cheese and return to the oven until cheese is melted and golden brown, 5 Make the pastella. Its down-home, country-style cooking! If your eggplant is young, tender, and on the small side, the nutrient-rich skin can probably be left on for skillet frying or braising. Bake at 375 F for 25-28 minutes, until nicely browned on top. Instead of frying the eggplant in a skillet, we let the oven do the work. Once you master the common mistakes of the classic eggplant Parmesan, get creative and try different versions, and experiment with flavors and textures to create the perfect eggplant Parmesan for your family table. Crowding the pan when frying lowers the temperature of the oil and it releases the moisture of the eggplant, which creates steam. Bake, uncovered, in the 400 degree oven for 20-25 minutes until cheese is melted and the top is bubbling and lightly browned. Bake for 3-5 more minutes, or until cheese is melts. Spread 1 cup of the tomato sauce over the bottom of a 9 x 13-inch casserole dish. The two things to keep in mind when cooking eggplant, especially firm globe eggplants, is that not only do eggplants hold onto moisture, they also absorb oil like a sponge. Leftovers werent soggy and were just as tasty cold. Add flour, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, and mint. How long can you store eggplant parmesan in the fridge? Place in colander and sprinkle with salt. Bake in the preheated oven for 5 minutes. Heat the oven: Arrange a rack in the middle of the oven and heat to 350F. In another bowl, combine breadcrumbs, 3/4 cup Parmesan, oregano, and basil; season with salt and pepper. The pastella is supposed to be about the consistency of pancake batter. In 2 shallow plates, add breadcrumbs to one and whisk eggs and milk in the other. Eggplants are part of the nightshade family. Flip and bake for 5 more minutes. There is some variation from region to region on the best cheese to use in eggplant Parmesan. Because it has such a mild flavor, its easily used in recipes that have bold flavors. Directions Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Thank you, Donna! This can help the eggplant stay crisp after cooking because it removes some moisture before it has a chance to create sogginess. Place the breaded slices back on the rack. cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided teaspoon dried basil Directions Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Add flour, 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese, minced garlic, and mint. In a wide, shallow bowl, whisk together eggs and 2 tablespoons water. Add the minced garlic and gently cook for 1 minute or until fragrant. The bottom of the eggplant should be tilted away from you or to the side. That said, I recommend peeling the eggplant for eggplant parmesan. In a separate bowl beat 4 eggs and dip the eggplant into the egg to coat both sides. Add up to 3 additional minced garlic cloves. 5 Preheat the oven to 375. So peeling the skin off and cubing it for roasting or sauting is the way to go," says Maria Covarrubias, in-house chef at Chosen Foods. Mozzarella is widely available, so it's common for home chefs to reach for it to melt those eggplant slices together. This is a quick overview of the ingredients that youll need for the best baked eggplant parmesan recipe. If you have trouble finding Sicilian eggplant in your supermarket, though, you can also use American eggplant for the dish since it is more widely available year-round. Dip each slice of eggplant in the egg, then coat both sides in the bread crumb mixture. It is definitely the best recipe! Eggplant should be sliced about 1/4 inch thick when making eggplant parmesan. Peel eggplant and cut into 1 cubes. When the eggplant is done move the oven rack down to the middle position and heat the oven to bake at 425F. Remove the eggplant slices from the milk and transfer them onto the prepared baking sheets. Theme by. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Do you have to peel eggplant before you cook it? 2) Place an ovenproof pan on top of frozen eggplant so that the top is touching the pan. December 22, 2011. In the first dish, stir together flour, salt and pepper. Peel eggplant and cut into -inch thick slices. Ahanov Michael/Shutterstock. Season with salt and pepper and serve. When you re ready to cook, rinse the eggplant under cold water to remove the excess salt. Certain recipes just taste like home, and this simple eggplant parmesan is definitely one of those dinners. Its a dish that I grew up on, and Ive continued to serve the flavorful meal to my own family as well! Either way, the popular dinner has been adapted over generations, and Americanized by families like ours. The traditional layering is similar to lasagna, with melted cheese and tomato sauce between layers of eggplant. The skin is entirely edible, though with larger eggplants it can be a little tough. Step. I reserved a seat at the table just for you. After it cools, you can place it in a plastic bag and put it in the fridge until youre ready to use. Bake in preheated oven for 15 - 20 minutes. Always peel along the length of the eggplant (top to bottom) rather than peeling across the width (side to side). Sign up to save recipes in your recipe book, write reviews and more! Spray a 9-by-13-inch casserole dish with nonstick cooking spray. The other common oil-related mistake that many home chefs fall prey to with eggplant Parmesan is thinking they need to add oil between each layer of eggplant. Some foods just taste better the next day. In a 913 inch baking dish spread spaghetti sauce to cover the bottom. Always peel along the length of the eggplant (top to bottom) rather than peeling across the width (side to side). Place in colander and sprinkle with salt. Though thick and chewy, eggplant skin is completely fine to eat and there are some people who prefer to leave the skin on their eggplant. WebStep 1. Okay, so the best method to make eggplant parmesan is to pull the moisture out of the eggplant prior to frying it.