Eggplant Parmigiana

• 3 eggplants (about 3 pounds total weight)
• 2 1/2 pounds very ripe, vine-ripened plum tomatoes, cut into quarters;1 can (28 ounces) plum tomatoes in puree, roughly chopped; or 2 cans (28 ounces) plum tomatoes, drained and roughly chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon salt, or to taste
• 1 cup all purpose flour for dredging
• Salt
• Freshly milled white or black pepper
• Safflower oil for frying
• Unsalted butter for greasing baking dish
• Lightly toasted fine dried bread crumbs for coating baking dish
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1 pound fresh mozzarella, thinly sliced or shredded
• 1/2 cup freshly grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
• 3 eggplants (about 3 pounds total weight)
• 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 1/2 pounds vine-ripened plum tomatoes, peeled, seeded, and finely chopped, or 1 can (28 ounces) plum tomatoes in their own juices, drained, seeded, and chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• Freshly milled white or black pepper
• 5 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 3/4 cup fine dried bread crumbs, lightly toasted
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
• 1/2 pound mozzarella, finely sliced or shredded
• 3/4 cup freshly grated parmigiano

1. Method one;
2. Cut the stems and navels off the eggplants and cut them crosswise into rounds 1/4 inch thick.
3. Sprinkle each slice lightly with salt.
4. Place the rounds in a colander, standing them upright so the bitter liquid from the seeds drains off easily, about 40 minutes.
5. Meanwhile, to make the sauce, put the tomatoes in a saucepan.
6. Cook uncovered over gentle heat, stirring occasionally, until thickened, about 40 minutes.
7. If you see that the tomatoes give off a great deal of water, drain off excess liquid as they cook.
8. Remove from the heat and let cool slightly, then pass the tomatoes through a food mill, using the attachment with the largest holes to get a smooth puree and pressing to get as much of the pulp as you can through the holes.
9. If the puree is too thin to be a good sauce consistency (this will depend upon the texture and water content of the tomatoes), return it to a saucepan and simmer gently for up to 20 minutes longer.
10. Season with the salt and pepper to taste.
11. Place a large sheet of waxed paper on the kitchen counter.
12. Pour the flour into it and then season the flour with salt and pepper to taste.
13. Use a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to blot the salt and sweat from the eggplant.
14. In a skillet over medium-high heat, pour in oil to a depth of 1 inch.
15. Heat the oil until it is hot enough to make the eggplant sizzle.
16. As soon as the oil is hot enough, but not before, dredge several eggplant slices in the flour, shake off the excess flour, and slip them into the hot oil.
17. Fry on both sides, turning once, until tender and golden, about 8 minutes total cooking time.
18. Remove to paper towels to drain well.
19. Fry the remaining slices, dredging them only when you are ready to fry them.
20. Preheat an oven to 400 degrees F. Butter a 10-by-14-inch baking dish and coat it with the crumbs, shaking out any excess.
21. (A smaller baking dish will do just fine, but it will result in a smaller casserole with a greater number of layers.
22. I prefer to use a dish that will result in fewer layers.)
23. Before placing each slice of eggplant in the dish, blot it with fresh paper towels once.
24. Place a layer of eggplant in the dish, a little of the sauce, some of the chopped basil, then a layer of mozzarella, and finally a sprinkling of parmigiano.
25. Continue layering the ingredients in this order, ending with a layer of eggplant smeared with sauce and sprinkled with parmigiano and the remaining basil (the green of the basil makes the dish exceptionally pretty).
26. Cover the baking dish loosely with aluminum foil and slide it onto the top rack of the oven; Bake until bubbly, about 20 minutes.
27. Remove from the oven and allow to settle for 10 minutes before serving.
28. Serve hot or at room temperature.
29. Method two:
30. Slice, salt, and blot the eggplants as directed in Method
31. Meanwhile, make the sauce.
32. In a saucepan over medium heat, warm the olive oil.
33. Add the onion and saute gently until softened, 7 to 8 minutes.
34. Add the tomatoes, salt, and pepper to taste, and stir well.
35. Cover partially and simmer over medium-low heat until a thick sauce forms, about 1 hour.
36. Stir occasionally.
37. If the tomatoes contain a great deal of water, it may be necessary to pour off excess liquid.
38. Preheat a gas or electric grill or broiler, or prepare a fire in a charcoal grill.
39. Brush the eggplant slices on both sides with the oil.
40. If using an indoor or outdoor grill, cook the slices, turning once, until they are lightly colored on both sides; do not char them.
41. If using a broiler, place the eggplant slices on baking sheets about 6 inches from the heat.
42. Broil, turning once, until lightly colored, a total of 5 or 6 minutes.
43. Preheat an oven to 325 degrees F. Dip the eggplant slices in the crumbs and arrange them in a single layer in 6 baking dishes each measuring 8 by 12 inches.
44. Using a spoon smear each slice with some of the sauce, then sprinkle with basil, top with mozzarella, and sprinkle with parmigiano.
45. Bake, uncovered, until the cheese melts and is lightly golden, about 15 minutes.
46. Serve hot or at room temperature.

eggplants, very, salt, flour, salt, white, safflower, butter, bread crumbs, fresh basil, mozzarella, eggplants, extra virgin olive oil, onion, tomatoes, salt, white, extra virgin olive oil, bread crumbs, fresh basil, mozzarella, freshly grated parmigiano

Taken from www.cookstr.com/recipes/eggplant-parmigiana-2 (may not work)