Joanne's Eggplant Parm
- 12 cup all-purpose flour
- 3 large eggs, beaten
- 2 cups panko breadcrumbs
- 14 cup plus 3 c grated parmigiano-reggiano cheese
- 2 tablespoons dried oregano
- 2 12 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons finely ground red chili pepper flakes
- 2 medium eggplants
- 2 cups extra virgin olive oil
- 3 whole garlic cloves
- 6 cups marinara sauce
- 3 cups shredded mozzarella cheese
- 10 basil leaves, rolled and thinly sliced
- Preheat the oven to 375F Set up a breading station using three separate shallow bowls.
- One bowl for flour and one for eggs.
- Whisk together bread crumbs, 1/4 c parmesan, oregano, salt, and chili flakes and place in the third bowl.
- Slice off 1/2 inch from the bottoms and tops of the eggplants and discard.
- Use a vegetable peeler to remove the skin.
- Slice the eggplant into 3/4 inch thick rounds.
- Dredge each slice of eggplant in flour, then egg, then breadcrumb mixture.
- Heat the olive oil and garlic cloves in a large saute pan over medium heat.
- Saute the garlic for 10-15 minutes, until golden brown.
- Remove the garlic and disard.
- Increase the heat to medium high and fry the breaded eggplant slices for 3 minutes per side, until golden brown.
- Remove to a cooling rack.
- Ladle 3/4 cup tomato sauce into an 8x8 inch baking dish.
- Layer the eggplant, sauce, mozzarella, parmesan, and basil.
- Repeat until you have three layers of eggplant.
- Top with remaining cheese.
- The key is to have each layer of eggplant surrounded by tomato sauce.
- Cover with foil and place the dish on a baking sheet.
- Bake for 35 minutes, removing foil after 25 minutes.
- The sauce and cheese should be bubbling.
- Let rest at room temperature for 5-10 minutes before serving.
flour, eggs, breadcrumbs, cheese, oregano, salt, ground red chili pepper, eggplants, extra virgin olive oil, garlic, marinara sauce, mozzarella cheese, basil
Taken from www.food.com/recipe/joannes-eggplant-parm-490341 (may not work)