Fan Favorites Friday - Recipe #1

Today we are going make one of my all time favorite dishes, Eggplant parmesan.

Ingredients:

• 1 large eggplant, sliced into 1/2-inch rounds

• Salt

• pepper

• onion powder

• garlic powder

• paprika powder

• italian seasoning

• 1 cup breadcrumb

• 1 cup panko bread crumbs

• 1 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• 4 large eggs, beaten

• Olive oil for frying

• fresh minced garlic

• 2 cups marinara sauce

• 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese

• Fresh basil or parsley for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Eggplant:
   

   • Slice the eggplant into 1/2-inch rounds.

   • Lay the slices on a paper towel and sprinkle with salt . Let them sit for about 30 minutes. This helps to draw out excess moisture and bitterness from the eggplant.

   • After 30 minutes, pat the eggplant slices dry with a paper towel.

1. Breading:
   

   • Sprinkle the dried eggplant with all the seasonings listed to your taste preference.

   • In a shallow dish, combine breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese. and more of those same seasoning again to taste preference.

   • Dip each eggplant slice into the beaten eggs and then coat with the breadcrumb mixture, pressing the breadcrumbs onto the eggplant to adhere.

1. Frying:
   

   • In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat.

   • Fry the breaded eggplant slices until they are golden brown on each side, about 2-3 minutes per side.

   • Place the fried slices on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

1. Assembling:
   

   • Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).

   • In a baking dish spread a thin layer of marinara sauce along with some minced garlic.

   • Place a layer of the fried eggplant slices on top of the sauce.

   • Spoon more marinara sauce over the eggplant, and sprinkle shredded mozzarella cheese on top.

   • Repeat the layers until you run out of eggplant, finishing with a layer of marinara sauce and mozzarella cheese on top.

1. Baking:
   

   • Bake in the preheated oven for about 25-30 minutes or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.

1. Serve:
   

   • Remove from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

   • Garnish with fresh basil or parsley if desired.