Cheesy Italian Eggplant Delight Food

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.

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.

MY FITNESS CHEESY ITALIAN EGGPLANT CASSEROLE

Steps:

• In a food processor, process cheeses, garlic, egg, ½ cup basil and pepper until combined and smooth.
• Mist a 5- to 6-qt slow cooker with cooking spray. Spread a thin layer of marinara (about 1/3 cup) over bottom of slow cooker. Arrange one-third of eggplant slices over sauce, overlapping edges. Spread half of cheese mixture over eggplant and then spoon one-third of remaining marinara evenly over top. Repeat with another one-third of eggplant, half of cheese mixture and one-third of sauce, and finish with remaining one-third of eggplant and sauce.
• Cover and cook on low for 6 to 8 hours. (TIP: If casserole is still watery, cook on high, uncovered, for an additional 10 minutes.) Garnish with additional basil.