Crispy Lemon Parmesan Eggplant Food

ONE SHEET CRISPY EGGPLANT PARM

Steps:

• Put a baking sheet on the bottom rack of the oven and preheat to 500 degrees F. Position a wire rack over a second baking sheet and set aside.
• Mix the panko and Parmesan in a shallow bowl and season with salt and pepper. Season both sides of the eggplant with salt and pepper. Dip only one side of the eggplant slices first in the beaten egg, then in the breadcrumb mixture to coat. Transfer to the wire rack.
• Carefully remove the baking sheet from the oven and reduce the oven temperature to 350 degrees F. Pour the oil directly onto the hot baking sheet. Working quickly, place the eggplant slices panko-side down onto the oiled baking sheet. Dollop sauce directly on the center of each eggplant slice, then top with a nice slice of mozzarella (drape it over the sides of the eggplant for legendary crispy bits). Put immediately back on the bottom rack of the oven and bake until the bottoms are golden brown and the tops are melted and bubbly, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Garnish each eggplant medallion with a basil leaf. Serve immediately, either individually or in a giant stack.

CRISPY EGGPLANT PARMESAN

Steps:

• In a large pot over medium-high heat, add the canola oil. Add the onion and cook until softened, about 5 minutes. Add the garlic and red pepper flakes and cook for 1 minute. Add the 2 teaspoons Italian seasoning, tomatoes and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Bring to a simmer and let cook for 10 minutes. Reserve 1 1/2 cups of the sauce for the online round 2 recipe Eggplant and Pasta.
• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.
• Set up a breading station using 3 baking dishes. In the first dish, add the flour and season with salt and pepper, to taste. In the second dish whisk the eggs with 1/2 cup water. In the third dish combine the bread crumbs, cornmeal, 2 tablespoons Parmesan and season with salt and pepper, to taste. Slice the eggplant into 3/4-inch slices. Dredge them in flour, then in the egg wash and then in the bread crumbs. Arrange the eggplant on 2 sheet trays fitted with a racks and bake in oven until crispy, about 20 to 25 minutes. Reserve 4 slices of eggplant for the online round 2 recipe, Eggplant and Pasta.
• Turn the oven to broil. Put the eggplant, overlapping, into a flameproof baking dish in 2 rows. Cover each row with about a cup of sauce and sprinkle with the mozzarella cheese and remaining 2 tablespoons of Parmesan. Put under the broiler until the cheese is melted and bubbling, about 3 to 4 minutes. Garnish with parsley and serve.

CRUNCHY EGGPLANT PARMESAN

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 325 degrees. Set a large ovenproof wire rack over a large rimmed baking sheet.
• With a small, sharp knife, starting just below the stem, cut each eggplant lengthwise into 1/4-inch-thick slices, keeping them attached at the stem. Place them on paper towels and press down on the eggplants to fan the slices out. Sprinkle with salt on both sides and set aside.
• Measure out 2 cups ice water. In a medium bowl, whisk the flour with the egg yolks and half the water until almost smooth, then whisk in the remaining water. Add a little more water if the batter seems too thick; it should be runny, like glue.
• Place the bread crumbs and seasonings in a medium bowl and lightly mix and crush together with your hands.
• In a large, deep skillet, heat a generous 1/2 inch of vegetable oil until shimmering (about 350 degrees).
• Working in batches, dip eggplants in the batter, dredge in bread crumbs and add to the skillet. Fry until nicely browned on the bottom, about 3 minutes. Reduce the heat if the eggplants are browning too quickly. Turn and cook until browned on the second side, about 3 minutes longer. Transfer to the rack set over the baking sheet and season with salt; transfer the baking sheet with the rack to the oven to keep warm while you fry the remaining eggplant.
• In a wide skillet, heat the marinara sauce over low heat until bubbling. Divide the mozzarella into 8 to 10 piles (one for each eggplant). Pick up and place the piles of cheese in the sauce, spacing the piles out so they melt separately. You may need to do this in 2 batches.
• Divide eggplants on plates. Place a spoonful of sauce next to or on top of each eggplant. Top sauce with melted mozzarella, lifting it out with a slotted spoon. Sprinkle with fresh herbs, and serve immediately.

CRISPY LEMON-PARMESAN EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Preheat broiler on high with a rack 8 inches below element. Combine panko, cheese, and lemon zest; season with salt and pepper. Stir in 2 tablespoons oil to evenly coat. On a rimmed baking sheet, brush eggplant evenly with 2 tablespoons oil; season.
• Broil, flipping once, until eggplant is tender and golden brown on both sides, about 10 minutes a side. Top evenly with panko mixture (about 1/3 cup on each plank) and broil until panko turns crisp and golden brown, 2 to 3 minutes.
• In a large bowl, whisk together lemon juice, paprika, and remaining 1/4 cup oil; stir in mint and season. Drizzle about half of dressing over eggplant. Squeeze tomatoes over bowl to release juices, then drop them into dressing and toss with arugula to evenly coat. Serve over eggplant, sprinkled with more paprika.