To properly peel an eggplant, first rinse the vegetable under cool running water, then pat it dry with paper towels. However, aging or poorly stored eggplants often develop a bitter taste that’s best removed by peeling. Let me rephrase that – I really like to eat good food. One solution is to bake the breaded eggplant slices instead of frying them in oil. Simply cut off the end and slice into large, 1/4-inch thick circles… Eggplant skin is completely edible and does contain nutrients including antioxidants. Which is cool. Cook spaghetti according to package directions and drain. Do people order eggplant parmesan at a restaurant to try and be healthy? Garnish with chiffon basil and serve. Peeling the eggplant is optional and up … Elizabeth @ Confessions of a Baking Queen says. Drizzle with olive oil. Serve as side dish, appetizer or use in eggplant Parmesan. Notify me via e-mail if anyone answers my comment. And I managed to turn a healthy eating post into one about cake. Prime members enjoy FREE Delivery and exclusive access to music, movies, TV shows, original audio series, and Kindle books. Arrange the slices in a single layer on a large baking sheet and brush both sides lightly with olive oil or spray with cooking spray. Your recently viewed items and featured recommendations, Select the department you want to search in, How to Peel Eggplant for Eggplant Parmesan. Sprinkle bread crumb mixture evenly over the top and sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Let it stand for 30 minutes, during which the salt will extract the bitterness. https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/25321/eggplant-parmesan-ii I like to leave it on, especially for this recipe. On top of the eggplant slices, sprinkle a generous amount of mozzarella cheese and parmesan cheese. This Easy Eggplant Parmesan skips the tedious hand-breading and bakes up tender eggplant layered with crispy breadcrumbs and cheese! Remove the ends of the eggplant and cut them into slices about 1/4 inch thick. Peel each eggplant lengthwise in 1/2-inch... Add the butter to the skillet and heat. Coarse kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, Elizabeth @ Confessions of a Baking Queen. In a large skillet with enough oil to cover entire base of pan, heat over high heat. Fry them immediately in hot vegetable oil until golden, then drain on kitchen paper and sprinkle with salt. It helps to cut the bitterness of the vegetable and makes it “sweat”. I did not peel it for the photos, but I do often peel it before making this recipe because once cooked, the peel will come away easily from the rest of the eggplant flesh, and it can look a little unruly. In another shallow dish, combine panko bread crumbs, parmesan, basil, and garlic powder. Arrange half the eggplant in dish; cover with 2 … It might be best to peel … Vegetable oil, for frying. The idea isn't to smother the layers with sauce. 60g butter. https://www.thekitchn.com/how-to-make-classic-eggplant-parmesan-233531 Place the eggplant slices on a baking sheet and generously sprinkle with salt on both sides. Peel the eggplant and slice them lengthways. So not true. They will be slightly overlapping. Butter a baking dish and cover the bottom with a layer of eggplant slices. There is no need to peel the eggplant prior to cooking it, unless it’s very large, in which case the outside could be tough and a bit bitter. Arrange the eggplant slices in a baking dish with the marinara, then top with mozzarella cheese and the breadcrumb mixture, Use vegetarian parmesan cheese to keep this vegetarian, Leave the cheese off entirely to make vegan eggplant parmesan, Use gluten-free bread crumbs to make gluten-free eggplant parmesan. This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. If you make this recipe be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag #theliveinkitchen on Instagram! When the eggplant is done move the oven rack down to the middle position and heat the oven to bake at 425ºF. No, you don’t need to peel fresh eggplant as the skin is edible. And I feel like people are pretty split on the matter. Dip the eggplant slices in egg, and then in bread crumbs, and then place in a single layer of breaded eggplant slices on a lined baking sheet. It isn’t necessary and I love the deep purple color not to mention that there are vitamins and additional flavor in the skin. Salt . The layers of eggplant parmesan are (starting from the bottom, moving to the top): sauce, baked breaded eggplant, cheese and spices, sauce, baked breaded eggplant, cheese and spices. Cut the head and the end, then slice them into 1/4 inch thick slices. Bake the eggplant slices in a preheated oven for 5 minutes on each side or until lightly browned. Do I Have to Peel Eggplant for Eggplant Parmesan? Arrange the slices in a single layer on a large baking … Thanks for your input Annette. With your dominant hand, draw a vegetable peeler down the full length of the eggplant to remove a straight strip of skin. Arrange the eggplant slices in the dish. Easy Eggplant Parmesan Ingredients you’ll need. https://www.bhg.com/recipes/how-to/cooking-basics/how-to-cook-eggplant Part of the series: Eggplant Parmesan Recipe. Select eggplants with a firm, glossy skin. When making this easy eggplant parmesan, it is entirely up to you if you want to peel the eggplant. All oven temperatures vary, so it is important to do what works best in your oven! I’m going to let you in on a little secret. Pour a little marinara in the bottom of the pan and spread around evenly. Remove the stem and flower ends of the eggplant. Instructions. Spread 2 cups sauce in a 9-by-13-inch baking dish. Serve spaghetti topped with a scoop of the eggplant and sprinkled with chopped parsley, if desired. The eggplant should be golden brown and the breading crispy. Bake Eggplant Parmesan: Bake uncovered in 400°F oven for 20-25 minutes until the cheese is melted and slightly browned. Eggplant should be sliced about 1/4 inch thick when making eggplant parmesan. Arrange the eggplant slices on an extra large baking sheet in a single layer. Eggplant soaks up oil like nobody’s business. This is key to crispy results. I’ve done it both ways with this Baked Eggplant Parmesan recipe but took the easy way out here and left the skin on. Learn how to peel an eggplant for eggplant parmesan with expert cooking tips in this free recipe video. And then bake at 350 degrees. Cooking & Culinary Tips : How to Peel an Eggplant - YouTube Cover with remaining marinara sauce. 50g parmesan, grated. Whether you peel them is personal preference. Place on aluminum foil or parchment paper lined baking sheet. Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. In a shallow dish, beat eggs. You will need to do this in batches. Next, slice eggplant into 1/2″ disks. Another way to reduce the fat content is to use cheese made from low-fat milk or to use less cheese than the recipe requires. Sprinkle generously with salt. Get new recipes and my list of 100 Vegetarian Dinner Ideas. (Notice the little droplets of moisture being … Let them sit for 45 … Eggplants are 92% water. Add a layer of eggplant slices (I was only able to fit about 3 a layer) then using a 1/4 cup, dollop marinara sauce on top of the eggplant slices. Go for it. Set aside. Get the recipe @ http://allrecipes.com/recipe/eggplant-parmesan-ii/detail.aspxWatch how to make a 5-star eggplant Parmesan. How to Make it 1. Eggplant: Salting eggplant removes excess liquid and some of the bitterness. How thick do you cut eggplant for eggplant parmesan? Broil 5-7 minutes per side or until soft and just beginning to brown. The skin of an eggplant is completely edible, it is also loaded with nutrients so it’s a great thing to keep on if your eggplant is fresh. Many eggplant Parmesan recipes are full of grease and cheese, so if you are trying to serve healthy meals in your home, make a few modifications. Spray a freezer-safe baking dish with nonstick cooking spray. I really like to eat. Using fresh mozzarella limits me from heaping on tons of shredded cheese and sprinkling the breadcrumbs keeps things crunchy without frying. Keep in mind though, the larger the eggplant is, the skin may become tough and bitter. Maybe. Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *. Eggplant absorbs a LOT of oil either way. Yikes. I always think dredging something is no big deal and I can whip it out in the time allotted in the recipe. Arrange mozzarella slices on top of the sauce. Then there’s the whole breading / cheese / pasta combination. Place all disks in colander or cooling rack set over baking sheet, sprinkle with salt and let sit for at least 30 minutes. Coat a 9×13 inch baking dish with cooking spray. It basically turns into a big, tasty eggplant casserole. Your email address will not be published. It’s ok to overlap them a little. Arrange the baked breaded eggplant slices in a layer, with minimal gaps. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Wow, I just recently got into eggplant parm and I LOOOOVE that you used fresh mozz! Is it bad to eat healthy just so you can eat more? That difference in texture became more pronounced the longer the eggplant had been salted. Broil no more than 3 minutes on a side. Place your eggplant on a cutting board and use a chef's knife to slice off both ends by cutting widthwise across the eggplant's tips. Preheat the broiler on your oven to high and place an oven rack in the highest position. Removing the moisture from the eggplant … Arrange a layer of eggplant slices in a colander in a sink or over a plate. If you don’t have a … Meanwhile, bring a large pot of water to a boil. Today’s eggplants are bred for mildness, thought, so it’s not as important as it used to be. Sprinkle with sea salt, garlic powder, and black pepper. How to Peel Eggplant for Eggplant Parmesan. How to make Eggplant Parmesan: Peel the eggplant and cut it into 8 equal slices. Wash and dry the eggplant. A recipe for easy eggplant parmesan that uses broiled eggplant baked with a layer of cheese, sauce, and breadcrumbs. After viewing product detail pages, look here to find an easy way to navigate back to pages you are interested in. It turns into a huge, time consuming mess. Bake for 25-30 minutes or until bubbly and beginning to brown. Meanwhile, thoroughly combine bread crumbs, Parmesan, and 1 tablespoon olive oil in a medium bowl. Preheat the broiler on your oven to high and place an oven rack in the highest position. Learn how your comment data is processed. To reheat, put frozen casserole into oven and cook at 350°F, covered, for 1 hour 30 minutes–1 hour 45 minutes, or until casserole is hot. The badic idea behind this recipe is good but it needs some changes. The eggplant should be thicker–1/2 inch at least. Whether or not to peel the eggplant is a question that gets asked a lot. Flip and repeat the olive oil, salt, garlic powder, and pepper. Make sure to handle the knife with care to avoid accidental cuts! Then cut the flesh into pieces and sprinkle generously with salt. Mop with paper towels and use as directed in the recipe. Dip each slice of eggplant in the egg, then coat both sides in the bread crumb mixture. You will notice little drops of moisture on the surface of the disks. Beside above, what goes with eggplant parmesan? Should I Peel the Eggplant? Salt the Eggplant to Remove Excess Moisture. Make a little pasta or spaghetti squash while the eggplant gets all bubbly in the oven and you’ve got a full meal. Not only have I cut calories in this easy eggplant parmesan, I’ve also saved you time! Use a sharp kitchen knife to cut off the stem from the end of the eggplant, then hold it in your non-dominant hand against a cutting board. Hold the eggplant firmly around its center with one hand as you slice with the other. Wow, things just got really pretentious up in here. BAKED STUFFED EGGPLANT Remove the stems and hulls from the eggplants and discard. This is why I hesitate to tell people I like cake because I only like certain cakes. Set the salted, sliced eggplant into a colander and let it rest for about 30 minutes. (There is no need to peel the eggplant prior to baking, it’s totally edible!). Dip each eggplant disk into butter first, then breading mixture. It’s totally not. Eggplant: You’ll need 2 eggplant for this recipe. And yum. There's a problem loading this menu right now. Must try this!! Maybe you’re a super-dredger. Bake in 400 degrees F oven for 15 minutes, then flip each disk and baked for 7 more minutes. Repeat the layers until you run out of eggplants slices. By then the eggplant should begin to sweat. At 425, mine burnt. Top subscription boxes – right to your door, © 1996-2020, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates. Sprinkle 1 teaspoon of Kosher salt, over all of the slices of eggplant, being sure to salt both sides. Top the casserole with more cheese before … Remove the ends of the eggplant and cut them into slices about 1/4 inch thick. In my lazy girl version, you’re just going to broil the eggplant with just a slight spritz of olive oil, then layer the baked eggplant slices in a baking dish with marinara sauce, fresh mozzarella, and a few breadcrumbs. Seriously, get out of here, you don’t even want to know. Do you have to peel eggplant before you cook it? In a 9″ x 13″ pan, spread a thin layer of sauce. You can peel the skin if you like. 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Cut eggplant for eggplant Parmesan that uses broiled eggplant baked with a layer of.! 13″ pan, spread a thin layer of cheese, sauce, and breadcrumbs top of the.! Really pretentious up in here to baking, it is important to do what works best in oven... This easy eggplant Parmesan: bake uncovered in 400°F oven for 20-25 minutes until cheese! Oven for 15 minutes, during which the salt will extract the bitterness of the eggplant under cool running,! And my list of 100 Vegetarian Dinner Ideas just so you can more! ’ ve also saved you time in here spaghetti squash while the eggplant and cut it into 8 equal.! Idea behind this recipe be sure to rate it, leave a comment, or tag # theliveinkitchen Instagram!