Eggplant Parmesan

I know that I have mentioned before that my parent’s own a little Italian restaurant over in Flagler Beach. I basically grew up in the family restaurant business (20 years in FL and 9 in NY) so needless to say I’ve seen a lot food in my life. One of my most favorite meals that I get when I eat at the restaurant is Eggplant Parmesan. When I lived at home (and worked there), I would eat it at least once a week. Now that I have moved away (not too far – only an hour away), I get cravings for my parent’s Eggplant Parmesan all the time. I’ve tried and tried to make it at home, but it’s just never worked out for me.

Recently I came across a delicious looking Eggplant Parmesan recipe over at La Bella Cook. Bridgett made it sound so easy to make, I had to try it. I did this past weekend, and it was a success!! It’s a little different from what I grew up with – grilled eggplant vs. fried…but I will tell you, it was absolutely delicious and I can’t wait to make it again!! My brother was over for dinner that night and he and my husband (not a huge eggplant lover) really enjoyed it and went for seconds and thirds (my brother is young and has a metabolism I can only dream of). In addition to being delicious, it was a lot healthier than the version that I get at the restaurant, and you know that healthy food that tastes good always makes me happy.

Eggplant Parmesan
Recipe from LaBella Cook

2-3 large eggplant – sliced into rounds
2-3 cups of your favorite meat sauce (see my quick recipe below)
2 cups shredded mozzarella (more or less to your liking)
Parmesan cheese

Place sliced eggplant rounds onto baking rack and salt both sides to draw out the bitterness. After about 10-15 minutes, rinse salt off eggplant.
Grill eggplant until softened on each side (I sprayed the eggplant with olive oil spray to avoid sticking).
Spread a little olive oil in a baking dish and start layering the eggplant along the bottom. Cover the bottom layer with meat sauce, parmesan cheese and mozzarella cheese. Layer again with eggplant, meat sauce, parmesan and mozzarella cheese.

Bake in 375 degree oven until sauce and cheese are bubbly and golden.

Serve with your favorite pasta.

Quick Meat Sauce

1TB olive oil
1 med/lg onion, chopped
2-3 cloves garlic, minced
salt and pepper to taste
1 lb Italian Turkey Sausage
2-3 cups of your favorite Marinara sauce (I used Barilla Marinara)

Heat oil in nonstick skillet. Add chopped onion, garlic, salt and pepper and saute until softened. Squeeze meat out of sausage casings and crumble into skillet. Continue to saute until meat is completely cooked through. Add Marinara sauce and cook for about 5-7 minutes till flavors are combined.