Delightful Eggplant (Aubergine) Bake
Cook Time: 45 minutes
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 1 hour 15 minutes
Recipe Category: Vegetable
Keywords: European, Low Protein, Weeknight, Oven, < 4 Hours
Ingredients:
- 3 eggplants
- 6 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 red onion
- 2 celery ribs
- 3 garlic cloves
- 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
- 1 can chopped tomatoes (about 400g)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes
- 3 tomatoes
- 1/2 cup water
- 1/4 cup butter
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 300 ml milk
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 150g buffalo mozzarella
Nutritional Information (per serving):
- Calories: 803.3
- Fat: 58.7g
- Saturated Fat: 22.6g
- Cholesterol: 93.9mg
- Sodium: 543.8mg
- Carbohydrates: 55.2g
- Fiber: 22.5g
- Sugars: 21.3g
- Protein: 23.1g
Instructions:
-
Preheat the oven to 400°F or 200°C.
-
Prepare Eggplant:
- Trim the eggplants and slice into 1/2 cm thick rounds.
- Sprinkle slices with salt and let sit for 15 minutes.
- Line two baking sheets with foil and lightly oil with some olive oil.
- Rinse or brush off salt from eggplant slices and arrange them on baking sheets.
- Lightly brush the tops with olive oil and bake for 10 minutes.
- Flip the slices and bake for an additional 5 minutes until soft and lightly browned.
-
Prepare Tomato Sauce:
- While the eggplant bakes, heat remaining olive oil in a frying pan.
- Sauté onion and celery for 1-2 minutes, then add water, canned and fresh tomatoes, balsamic vinegar, thyme, and garlic.
- Simmer until the sauce thickens (about 5 minutes).
-
Prepare White Sauce:
- In a small pot, melt butter over low heat.
- Stir in flour until blended, then gradually add milk, stirring constantly until thickened.
-
Assemble the Dish:
- Lightly oil a casserole dish or line with foil for easy cleanup.
- Spread a layer of tomato sauce on the bottom.
- Add a layer of eggplant slices, followed by more tomato sauce, basil, and then white sauce.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- Repeat layers, finishing with a layer of white sauce on top.
- Arrange slices of mozzarella over the top.
-
Bake:
- Bake for 20 minutes or until the cheese is golden brown.
Recipe Tips:
- Choosing Eggplants: Look for firm, glossy eggplants with smooth skin. Avoid ones with soft spots or wrinkled skin.
- Slicing and Salting: Slicing the eggplant thinly and salting helps draw out bitterness and moisture, ensuring a tender texture after baking.
- Tomato Sauce Consistency: Simmer the tomato sauce until it’s thick and concentrated to avoid a watery bake.
- Assembly Order: Layering the ingredients ensures each bite has a balanced mix of flavors and textures, from the tender eggplant to the creamy white sauce and melted mozzarella.
- Baking Time: Keep an eye on the bake towards the end to ensure the cheese is perfectly melted and golden.
Review Summary:
- Aggregated Rating: 5 stars
- Review Count: 2
Review Highlights:
- “This eggplant bake exceeded my expectations! The flavors meld together beautifully.”
- “Definitely worth the effort. Perfect for a vegetarian main course or a hearty side dish.”
This Delightful Eggplant Bake recipe promises a delightful combination of flavors and textures, making it a standout choice for a comforting yet sophisticated meal. Whether you’re serving it as a main dish with a fresh salad or as a side to complement a larger spread, it’s sure to impress with its creamy layers of eggplant, tomato, and cheese.
