Hearty Eggplant Parmigiana Delight
This delectable Eggplant Parmigiana Delight is a comforting and flavorful dish inspired by the culinary genius of Australian chef Huey (Iain Hewitson). Originally featured in the 2005 Zaar World Tour, this rendition showcases tender layers of golden-fried eggplant, rich marinara sauce, and gooey mozzarella, all topped with a generous sprinkle of freshly grated parmesan and basil. Perfect for a cozy dinner, this elegant one-dish meal combines vibrant flavors and textures to delight the palate, elevating humble ingredients into a culinary masterpiece. The addition of wine and pesto adds depth to the sauce, making this dish a sure hit for any occasion.
N/A
Servings
363
Calories
13
Ingredients
Ingredients
Eggplants
2-3 (medium, thickly sliced, skin on)
Plain flour
to dust (for dredging)
Eggs
3 (beaten)
Olive oil
2 tablespoons (for frying)
Onions
2 (chopped)
Garlic cloves
2 (crushed)
Red pasta sauce
2 cups (canned or homemade)
White wine
1 cup (dry)
Pesto sauce
2 teaspoons (for added flavor)
Fresh ground pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
Basil leaves
8 (finely sliced)
Mozzarella cheese
250 g (sliced)
Freshly grated parmesan cheese
to taste (for topping)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 200°C (390°F).
2
Prepare the eggplants by dusting them lightly with plain flour. Dip each slice into the beaten eggs, ensuring a good coating, then heat a non-stick pan with olive oil over medium heat and pan-fry the slices until they are golden brown. Drain the fried eggplant on paper towels to remove excess oil.
3
In a large non-stick pan, heat a little olive oil. Sauté the chopped onions and crushed garlic gently until they become translucent and aromatic, about 5 minutes.
4
Add the red pasta sauce, white wine, pesto, and freshly ground black pepper to the onion and garlic mixture. Stir well and bring to a boil. Allow the sauce to cook for about 5 minutes, reducing slightly, before seasoning to taste.
5
In an ovenproof casserole dish, spread a thin layer of the sauce at the bottom. Layer half of the fried eggplant slices on top, followed by half of the mozzarella cheese and a layer of sauce. Repeat this process with the remaining eggplant, mozzarella, and sauce, finishing with a thick layering of sauce. Sprinkle with freshly grated parmesan cheese on top.
6
Place the casserole dish in the preheated oven and bake for approximately 20 minutes until the cheese is melted and bubbling. If the dish was pre-prepared and refrigerated, expect to bake it for 30-40 minutes instead.
7
Once baked, remove from the oven and let it sit for a few minutes. Serve hot, garnished with finely sliced fresh basil, alongside a simple green salad for a complete meal.
Nutrition Information
20g
Fat
40g
Carbs
14g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Hearty Eggplant Parmigiana Delight?
It is a comforting and flavorful dish featuring layers of golden-fried eggplant, rich marinara sauce, and gooey mozzarella, topped with parmesan and basil.
Who inspired this recipe?
The recipe is inspired by the culinary style of Australian chef Huey (Iain Hewitson).
Is this recipe vegetarian?
Yes, it is classified as a vegetarian one-dish meal.
How many eggplants are needed?
The recipe requires 2 to 3 medium-sized eggplants.
Should the eggplants be peeled?
No, the recipe suggests using medium eggplants that are thickly sliced with the skin left on.
How should the eggplant slices be prepared before frying?
Lightly dust the slices with plain flour and then dip them into beaten eggs to ensure a good coating.
What oven temperature is required?
The oven should be preheated to 200°C (390°F).
How long do I sauté the onions and garlic?
Sauté the chopped onions and crushed garlic gently for about 5 minutes until they become translucent and aromatic.
What ingredients are used for the sauce?
The sauce is composed of red pasta sauce, white wine, pesto sauce, and freshly ground black pepper.
Can I use homemade pasta sauce?
Yes, you can use either canned or homemade red pasta sauce.
Why is white wine added to the sauce?
White wine is added to provide extra depth and flavor to the marinara sauce.
What role does pesto play in the recipe?
Two teaspoons of pesto sauce are used to add extra flavor to the sauce mixture.
How many eggs are used for the coating?
The recipe calls for 3 beaten eggs for dredging the eggplant.
What type of oil should I use for frying?
Use 2 tablespoons of olive oil for pan-frying the eggplant slices until golden brown.
What is the layering sequence in the casserole dish?
Layer sauce, then half the eggplant, half the mozzarella, more sauce, remaining eggplant, remaining mozzarella, and finish with sauce and parmesan.
How long does the dish take to bake?
It takes approximately 20 minutes in the oven until the cheese is melted and bubbling.
What is the baking time for a refrigerated dish?
If the dish was pre-prepared and refrigerated, you should bake it for 30 to 40 minutes.
What type of cheese is used in the layers?
The recipe uses 250 grams of sliced mozzarella cheese for the internal layers.
What cheese is used for the topping?
Freshly grated parmesan cheese is sprinkled on the top layer before baking.
How many calories are in this recipe?
There are 363 calories per serving of this eggplant parmigiana.
What is the protein content per serving?
Each serving contains approximately 14g of protein.
How much fat is in the dish?
The dish contains 20g of fat per serving.
How many carbohydrates are in this dish?
There are 40g of carbohydrates per serving.
How should I garnish the finished dish?
Garnish the hot dish with 8 finely sliced fresh basil leaves.
What should I serve with this meal?
It is recommended to serve this dish alongside a simple green salad.
When was this recipe version originally featured?
This version of the recipe was originally featured in the 2005 Zaar World Tour.
How do I handle the eggplant after frying?
Drain the fried eggplant slices on paper towels to remove any excess oil before layering.
What is the recommended prep for the garlic?
The recipe calls for 2 cloves of garlic that should be crushed before sautéing.
Is this considered a one-dish meal?
Yes, it is described as an elegant one-dish meal perfect for a cozy dinner.
How long should the sauce cook before assembly?
After adding the wine and pesto, allow the sauce to cook for about 5 minutes to reduce slightly.