Aubergine and parmesan (Melanzane alla Parmigiana)
greatness from the Italian kitchen



Tip
Canned tomatoes and tomato sauce top both containing a high concentration of Lycopene.
In addition, they’re lower in fat and calories than other sauces such as Pesto and Alfredo

Ingredients
3 firm medium sized aubergine
150 mls (about half a cup) olive oil
2 cloves of garlic, finely sliced
1 onion, diced
Pinch of fresh oregano, chopped, or 1 teaspoon dried oregano
Pinch of fresh basil, cut into fine strips
5-6 medium tomatoes, ripe
Salt, fresh ground black pepper
200 grams parmesan flakes from the Chef Halavan series
50 grams butter
100 grams (about 3/4 cup) unflavored bread crumbs
Method
- Preheat the oven to 190C
- Slice aubergines down the length, about 1 cm thick, and salt lightly on both sides
- Warm a deep frying pan with 3 tablespoons olive oil, add the garlic, onion and oregano and steam on medium flame for 10 minutes
- Scald the tomatoes in boiling water with salt for 30 seconds. Remove with slotted spoon to a bowl of ice water, peel, chop into quarters and remove the seeds.
- Add the tomato flesh to the frying pan, blend well with the mixture in the pan. Cover the pan and allow to simmer on low flame for 10-15 minutes. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Remove from the flame and add the basil.
- Heat a grilling skillet, brush the aubergine with a little oil and sear for 2-3 minutes each side.
- Melt the butter in a separate frying pan, and blend a little oregano and the breadcrumbs into it.
- Prepare for baking: on the base of a heatproof (Pyrex, Corning) pan, spread about half the tomato sauce. Arrange a layer of grilled aubergine slices on this. Sprinkle with a little parmesan. Then sprinkle with about half the bread crumb mix. Repeat these actions in the same order: sauce, aubergine, parmesan and bread crumbs.
- Bake for 30 minutes or until a golden hue and crispy texture is achieved.


Tip
Canned tomatoes and tomato sauce top both containing a high concentration of Lycopene.
In addition, they’re lower in fat and calories than other sauces such as Pesto and Alfredo