Cheesy Eggplant Florentine Melanzane Fiorentina Food

BAKED EGGPLANT SINATRA FLORENTINE

Steps:

• First place the cut eggplant on paper towels, lightly salt, and let sit for 30 minutes.
• Then rinse the salt off and blot dry.
• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees.
• Brush eggplant with olive oil on both sides.
• Place on a cookie sheet.
• Sprinkle with oregano granulated garlic powder, black pepper to taste (reserve the parsley and basil for garnishing, and half in the ricotta cheese.
• Bake for 10 minutes.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat.
• Add the fresh garlic, tomatoes, and fresh spinach, and if using mushrooms, peppers, or whatever else you like including raw meats.
• Add cayenne pepper if using and salt, pepper to taste.
• Note: if you're using leftover cooked meats, just stir in when the tomatoes have started to cook in the next step.
• Cook and stir for a few minutes until fragrant, and the tomatoes have released their juices.
• In a medium bowl, mix together 1/2 cup of ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese, 1/2 cup of Pecorino Romano Parmesan blended cheese, and half the fresh basil and fresh parsley. Set aside.
• Place the eggplant slices in a greased deep baking casserole dish.
• Top with spinach mixture.
• Spoon the ricotta cheese mixture over the spinach.
• Pour the tomato paste mixed with wine sauce over the cheese layer.
• Generously sprinkle more mozzarella and the rest of the grated cheese on top.
• Bake at 350 degrees for 30 more minutes until browned and bubbling.
• Garnish the top when plating with fresh basil and remaining parsley.

CHEESY EGGPLANT FLORENTINE (MELANZANE FIORENTINA)

Steps:

• Slice the eggplant 1/2´´ thick.
• Generously salt both sides of the eggplant slices and arrange them on several layers of paper towels.
• Place a pastry board over them, weighted with large cans of juice or fruit, for 1 hour.
• Then thoroughly rinse the eggplant under cold running water and drain on paper towels.
• Pat completely dry.
• Dust the eggplant with flour and saute the slices in hot oil over high heat until brown.
• Layer the eggplant in an oiled 13´´ x 9´´ baking pan with the sauce, mozzarella cheese, and basil.
• There will be 3 layers.
• Reserve some of the cheese for a topping.
• Bake in a preheated 450° oven for 10 to 12 minutes until the dish is bubbly and the cheese slightly browned.

EGGS FLORENTINE

Steps:

• Put an oven rack in the center of the oven. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Spray a baking sheet with vegetable oil cooking spray.
• Arrange the prosciutto in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet and bake until crispy, about 6 to 8 minutes. Remove from the oven and cool completely before crumbling into small pieces.
• In a medium skillet, heat the olive oil over medium-high heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring frequently, until soft, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add the spinach and nutmeg and cook until the spinach has wilted, about 1 to 2 minutes. Stir in the heavy cream and bring the mixture to a simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the mixture thickens slightly, about 5 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cheese. Season with salt and pepper, to taste.
• Fill a small saucepan with 3 inches of water. Add 1 tablespoon salt and the lemon juice. Bring the water to a simmer over medium heat. Crack an egg in a small bowl, taking care not to break the yolk. Slowly slide the egg into the water. Using a wooden spoon, carefully stir the water around the egg. Cook for 2 to 2 1/2 minutes until the white has set and the yolk is still soft. Using a slotted spoon, remove the egg from the water and drain on paper towels. Repeat with the remaining eggs.
• To serve, place a tomato slice on each salad plate and season with salt and pepper. Spoon 1/4 of the spinach sauce over the tomato slice. Top with a poached egg and sprinkle with the crumbled prosciutto. Serve warm.
• Cook's Note: The poached eggs can be made ahead of time if stored in water and refrigerated. Reheat by placing in simmering water for 30 seconds.

EGGPLANT ROLLATINI

Steps:

• Preheat the grill pan and preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Place a rack over a large baking sheet. Cut the 2 ends off the eggplant. Cut the eggplants lengthwise, into 1/2-inch thick slices. Arrange eggplant slices onto rack. Sprinkle with sea salt to help remove excess moisture and any bitterness from the eggplants. Set aside for about 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse off the salt from the eggplants and pat dry with a towel. Spray hot grill pan liberally with vegetable spray and then place eggplant slices on the grill until lightly browned on each side and tender, about 4 minutes per side. Remove slices from the grill pan and allow to cool.
• In a large bowl, beat eggs until lightly scrambled. Mix the ricotta in with the egg. Add mozzarella, 3 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese and toasted pine nuts and gently combine. Fold in basil just to combine. Do not overmix.
• Place a tablespoon of the cheese mixture on 1 end of the eggplant and roll up tightly. Place the eggplant rollatini into a greased (with olive oil) 13 by 9-inch baking dish, seam side down. Continue with remaining eggplant. Evenly distribute the tomato sauce on top of the eggplant rollatini. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with remaining 5 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese and bake for 15 minutes. When cooked, drizzle the top with extra-virgin olive oil.
• In a large casserole pot, heat oil over medium high heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until soft and translucent, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add celery and carrots and season with salt and pepper. Saute until all the vegetables are soft, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add tomatoes and bay leaves and simmer uncovered on low heat for 1 hour or until thick. Remove bay leaves and check for seasoning. If sauce still tastes acidic, add unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon at a time to round out the flavors.
• Add 1/2 the tomato sauce into the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth. Continue with remaining tomato sauce.
• If not using all the sauce, allow it to cool completely and pour 1 to 2 cup portions into freezer plastic bags. This will freeze up to 6 months.

CHEESY BAKED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush eggplant slices with olive oil on both sides, and place them on a baking sheet. Sprinkle garlic powder over the top. Bake for 10 minutes.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, tomatoes and spinach. Cook and stir for a few minutes until fragrant, and the tomatoes have released their juices. In a medium bowl, mix together 1/2 cup of ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese, and 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese. Set aside.
• Place the eggplant slices in a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Top with the spinach mixture. Spoon the cheese mixture over the spinach, and spread into a thin layer. Pour the spaghetti sauce over the cheese layer. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
• Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until heated through and the eggplant is easily pierced with a fork.

CHEESY BAKED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Brush eggplant slices with olive oil on both sides, and place them on a baking sheet. Sprinkle garlic powder over the top. Bake for 10 minutes.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the onion, garlic, tomatoes and spinach. Cook and stir for a few minutes until fragrant, and the tomatoes have released their juices. In a medium bowl, mix together 1/2 cup of ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese, and 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese. Set aside.
• Place the eggplant slices in a greased 9x13 inch baking dish. Top with the spinach mixture. Spoon the cheese mixture over the spinach, and spread into a thin layer. Pour the spaghetti sauce over the cheese layer. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella and Parmesan cheese over the top. Sprinkle with Italian seasoning.
• Bake for 30 minutes in the preheated oven, or until heated through and the eggplant is easily pierced with a fork.

MELANZANA ALLA PARMIGIANA (PERFECT EGGPLANT PARMIGIANA)

Steps:

• Heat about 1 inch extra-virgin olive oil in a deep skillet over medium heat. Pat eggplant slices dry with a paper towel and fry eggplant in batches in the hot oil until golden, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer eggplant to a paper towel-lined plate using a slotted spoon; season with salt.
• Combine tomato puree (passata), 1 tablespoon olive oil, garlic, salt, and 4 basil leaves in a saucepan; simmer over medium heat for 10 minutes. Remove garlic from sauce.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Lightly grease a baking dish.
• Place a layer of fried eggplant in the baking dish and cover with a layer of tomato sauce. Top with a layer of mozzarella cheese, oregano, Parmesan cheese, and chopped basil leaves, in that order. Continue layering in the same order with remaining ingredients, ending with a layer of mozzarella cheese and a drizzle of olive oil.
• Bake in the preheated oven until heated through and cheeses are melted, about 40 minutes. Let stand a few minutes before slicing.

CHEESY EGGPLANT CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Place the eggplant in a medium microwave safe dish. Cook, stirring once, in the microwave 5 minutes on High, or until tender. Transfer to a 9x9 inch baking dish. Mix in 1/2 cup Cheddar cheese, stuffing mix, garlic, onion, and egg. Season with Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper.
• Bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Top with remaining cheese, and continue baking 15 minutes, until cheese is bubbly and lightly browned.

BAKED EGGPLANT WITH CHEESE

Steps:

• Put the eggplant slices in a colander, salt well and leave for at least half an hour until they sweat, to remove the bitterness. It will also prevent them from absorbing too much oil while cooking.
• Rinse with cold water, dry with kitchen paper and lay on a baking tray.
• Brush the slices on both sides with the olive oil and grill on the highest shelf in the oven for 3-4 minutes on each side.
• Remove and set aside.
• Heat the onion and garlic in 2-3 tablespoons of water in a large frying pan, add the tomatoes and 2 tablespoons of oil and stir.
• Add the oregano and thyme, season and simmer (at 3 on a scale of 1-9 or at 1 on a scale of 1-3) for about six minutes or until the sauce thickens a little.
• Remove from the hob and add the fresh herbs (parsley, basil).
• Preheat the oven to 200°C.
• Lightly oil a deep baking dish (about 30x22 cm), add a layer of eggplant and sprinkle with half the cheese.
• Then add a layer of sauce, continue with the rest of the eggplant slices and then the rest of the cheese.
• Add the rest of the sauce and bake in the oven for 30 minutes.