Eggplant Gratin

Prep Time: 1

Cook Time: 30

Total Time: 1 30

Servings: people

Typical southern French recipe includes a tender layer of eggplant slices, fresh tomato chunks, and plenty of garlic. It is topped with plenty of delicious cheese that makes the crunchy crust.

Ingredients

6 eggplant, small Japanese
5 tablespoons olive oil
ground pepper
2 garlic cloves, chopped fine
1 small onion, peeled and finely chopped
1 pound tomatoes, peeled, seeded and chopped
1 thyme sprig , leaves removed
¾ cup parmesan cheese

OPTIONAL

1 tablespoons breadcrumbs

US - Metric

Instructions

Cut the eggplant into ½ - inch dice. Sprinkle lightly with salt and drain in a colander for 1 hour to remove excess water and bitterness. Pat the eggplant dry with paper towels.
Heat 3 tablespoons of the oil in a large frying pan (preferably nonstick) over high heat until hot. Add the eggplant and sauté until lightly colored. Season with pepper; reduce heat and cook, stirring frequently, 10 to15 minutes longer. Remove from the pan and drain excess oil: set aside.
Heat the remaining two tablespoons of oil in the pan over low heat. Add the chopped garlic and onion, and cook until soft but not colored. Add the tomatoes and the thyme. Season with salt and pepper and cook for 20 minutes.
Preheat oven to 375°.
Layer half the eggplant in the bottom of a baking dish. Cover with the tomato mixture. Top the remaining eggplant and sprinkle with the cheese.
Bake for 15 minutes, and then reduce the oven temperature to 325° and bake until the gratin is bubbling and the cheese is golden brown, 20 to 30 minutes. Serve in the baking dish.

Optional

Top with breadcrumbs.

Equipment

Notes

PRO TIPS

Let the eggplant rest with the salt for at least one hour. The salt brings out the moisture and reduces the bitterness of the eggplant.

Let your eggplant rounds rest in a colander so all the excess water will be drained.

Smaller eggplants are easier to enjoy as they contain fewer internal seeds.

Eggplant leaves stain. Use fresh lemon and rub your hands and any surface that has been stained.

Nutrition

Giangi's Kitchen provides nutritional information, but these figures should be considered estimates, as a registered dietician does not calculate them.