“Labor Inducing” Eggplant Parmesan

From Scalinis Italian Restaurant in Atlanta, Georgia

Ingredients:

• 3 medium size eggplants
• 1 cup of flour
• 6 eggs, beaten
• 4 cups fine Italian bread crumbs, seasoned
• Olive oil for sautéing
• 8 cups of marinara sauce (Scalini's recipe below)
• 1/2 cup of grated Romano cheese
• 1/2 cup of grated Parmesan cheese
• 1/2 lbs of Mozzarella cheese shredded
• 2 cups of Ricotta cheese

Directions

1. Wash the eggplant and slice into 1/4 inch thick slices. You may choose to peel the eggplant before you slice it, however you may want to leave the skin on since the skin contains a lot of vitamins.
2. Place the eggplant slices on a layer of paper towels and sprinkle with a little salt, then cover with another layer of paper towels and hold it down with something heavy. This will drain the excess moisture. Let them set for about an hour.
3. Working with one slice of eggplant at a time, dust with flour, then dip in beaten eggs, then coat well with bread crumbs. Sauté in preheated olive oil on both sides until golden brown.
4. In baking dish, alternate layers of marinara sauce, eggplant slices, ricotta, parmesan, and Romano cheeses, until you fill the baking dish about an 1/8 inch from the top.
5. Cover with shredded mozzarella cheese and bake for 25 minutes in 375º oven. Let set for 10 minutes before serving.

Scalini’s Marinara Sauce

Ingredients

• 2 tablespoons of chopped garlic
• 3 tablespoons of olive oil
• 8 cups chopped tomatoes (fresh or canned)
• 1 cup onions chopped
• 1/2 cup of fresh chopped parsley
• 1 teaspoon of oregano
• 1 teaspoon of crushed red pepper
• 1/8 cup of fresh chopped sweet basil
• Pinch of thyme
• Pinch of rosemary
• One teaspoon salt
• One teaspoon black pepper

Directions

1. Lightly sauté the onions in olive oil in large pot for a few minutes.
2. Add garlic and sauté another minute.
3. Add tomatoes and bring sauce to boil, then turn heat to low.
4. Add remaining ingredients, stir, cover and let simmer for one hour, stirring occasionally.