Embark on a culinary adventure with our Eggplant Delight Parm! Overflowing with flavor and wholesome ingredients, this dish promises to tantalize your taste buds and nourish your body.
Yield: 8 servings
Prep time: 20 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 large eggplant
- 2 large tomatoes
- Tomato sauce (try our homemade recipe or use store-bought)
- Fresh basil leaves
- Avocado oil (for spraying or spreading)
- Vegan or conventional mozzarella cheese, shredded
- Vegan or conventional Parmesan cheese, grated
- Fresh basil leaves
- 3 large eggs (or vegan/gluten-free substitute: equal parts cornstarch and water for a slurry + spices below)
- Bread crumbs (cornstarch gluten-free option above)
- Paprika powder
- Dried parsley
- Salt
- Pepper
- Grated Parmesan cheese
- Dried oregano
- Turmeric powder
Mixing spices into the bread crumb mixture ensures each eggplant slice is perfectly seasoned, enhancing the dish's overall flavor. Additionally, turmeric adds anti-inflammatory properties, enhancing both taste and health benefits.
Instructions:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a bowl, mix the spices with the bread crumbs (or cornstarch)
- Bread the eggplant slices by dipping them in beaten eggs (or the cornstarch slurry), then coating them with bread crumbs mix.
- Spray some Avocado oil and air fry the breaded eggplant slices for 20 minutes until golden brown and crispy.
- In a lasagna dish, spread a thin layer of tomato sauce.
- Create a layer with the breaded eggplant. Add thinly sliced tomatoes, mozzarella, and basil leaves, then repeat the layering until you finish the eggplants. Add more tomato sauce and Parmesan cheese to the final layer.
- Bake in the preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
- Optional: In the final 1-3 minutes of baking, remove the dish from the oven and broil until the cheese achieves a golden and slightly darkened texture. *Reminder: keep a close eye on the dish during broiling to prevent burning.
- Serve hot and enjoy your delicious eggplant parmigiana!
Elevate your everyday meals with the Eggplant Delight Parm, perfect for family dinners. Even picky eaters, including my own kids who typically shy away from eggplant, have been won over by this dish. If you have finicky eaters at home, give this recipe a try – you might be pleasantly surprised by how much they love it!
Crunchy Mama Tip: Take your Eggplant Delight Parm to the next level by pairing it with one of our refreshing salads & sides. And for a heart-healthy dessert, treat yourself to one of our decadent dark chocolate selections. Delight in the rich flavors and wholesome ingredients with every mouthful!
