Best Eggplant Pie Recipes

EGGPLANT AND TOMATO PIE

Steps:

• Line a lightly oiled 9- or 10-inch tart pan with the dough. Using a fork, pierce at regular intervals to allow for even baking. Refrigerate or freeze until ready to prebake and fill.
• Heat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Slice the eggplant about 1/3 inch thick and toss with salt to taste and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Line 1 to 2 baking sheets (as needed) with foil and brush the foil with olive oil. Lay the eggplant slices on the foil in 1 layer. Roast in the hot oven for 15 to 20 minutes, until the slices are soft when pierced with a knife and browned in spots. Remove from the oven and carefully fold the foil up over the eggplant slices (be careful not to burn yourself!). Crimp the edges of the foil and allow the eggplant to steam for another 15 to 20 minutes. It should now be completely cooked. Turn the oven down to 350 degrees.
• Beat together the eggs in a medium bowl. Set the tart pan on a baking sheet to allow for easy handling. Using a pastry brush lightly brush the bottom of the crust with the beaten egg and place in the oven for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.
• Whisk the milk into the eggs. Add salt (I usually use about 1/2 teaspoon) and pepper. Spread 1/4 cup tomato sauce over the bottom of the crust. Top with a layer of eggplant slices. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon one third of the remaining sauce over the eggplant and sprinkle with thyme, Parmesan, and half of the Gruyère. Repeat the layers one or two more times, depending on the size of your eggplant slices, ending with the Gruyère. Pour on the egg and milk mixture. It should seep down into the layers; if it looks like it's not moving and going to overflow the crust, use a fork to create some holes so it does seep down. Arrange the sliced tomatoes on top and sprinkle any remaining thyme over the tomatoes. Drizzle on 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Place in the oven and bake for 40 to 45 minutes, until set and bubbling and browned on the top and edges. Remove from the heat and allow to sit for at least 10 minutes before serving. Serve hot, warm, or room temperature.

EGGPLANT TOMATO PIE RECIPE - (3.8/5)

Steps:

• Peel and cube eggplant, boil until soft and tender, then drain water and mash. Add diced onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, melted butter and pesto to the mash; mix well. Grease a pie pan. Slice one tomato and layer on bottom of pan. Add the eggplant mixture. Slice the remaining tomato and layer on top of eggplant mixture. Add shredded cheddar cheese and sprinkle with fresh parsley. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes or until golden brown. Nutrition Facts Servings: 4 Amount per serving Calories 111 % Daily Value* Total Fat 6g 8% Saturated Fat 2.5g 12% Cholesterol 49mg 16% Sodium 66mg 3% Total Carbohydrate 12.5g 5% Dietary Fiber 5.5g 20% Total Sugars 6.6g Protein 3.9g Vitamin D 6mcg 29% Calcium 45mg 3% Iron 1mg 4% Potassium 470mg

EGGPLANT TOMATO PIE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 500 degrees.
• Line baking sheet with foil and lightly grease.
• In large skillet, place 1 tablespoon olive oil, balsamic vinegar and eggplant and stir to coat thoroughly (no heat).
• Place eggplant cubes onto baking sheet, place in hot oven for 15 minutes, stirring once, until tender and lightly carmelized.
• Set aside skillet with reserved oil/vinegar
• Remove cooked eggplant to bowl and mash.
• Lower oven to 375 degrees.
• Saute onion in oil/vinegar mixture until caramelized, adding more oil if necessary.
• Turn off heat on skillet and stir in garlic letting it sit 5 minutes.
• Fold eggs, butter, pesto, and breadcrumbs into eggplant.
• Grease a pie pan and place a layer of sliced tomato to cover bottom.
• Combine cheeses and sprinkle 1/2 over tomatoes.
• Cover with eggplant mixture.
• Add layer of remaining cheese.
• Sprinkle finely sliced basil over cheese and top with layer of tomatoes.
• Bake 30 minutes until set, remove from oven and cool 10 - 15 minutes.

EGGPLANT PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C). Press pie crust into a pie plate.
• Bake in the preheated oven until slightly brown, about 8 minutes. Remove crust from oven and lower temperature to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
• Layer eggplant, green onions, Italian seasoning, salt, and pepper in the pie crust, ending with a layer of eggplant. Mix mozzarella cheese, Cheddar cheese, and mayonnaise together in a bowl; spread over eggplant layer. Cover the browned edges of pie crust with thin strips of aluminum foil.
• Bake in the preheated oven until cheeses are slightly browned, about 35 minutes.

EGGPLANT, CORN, AND TOMATO PIE

Steps:

• Boil eggplant cubes until soft, about 20 minutes. Drain in colander. In a skillet, melt butter and saute onion, pepper, and garlic. Add seasonings.
• Mix everything in a large bowl and pour into a buttered 8"x12" baking dish. Bake at 350 until browned and set, about 25 minutes.

BEEF 'N' EGGPLANT PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375°. On a lightly floured surface, roll dough to a 1/8-in.-thick circle; transfer to a 9-in. pie plate. Trim crust to 1/2 in. beyond rim of plate; flute edge. Refrigerate while preparing filling. , In a small skillet, melt butter. Add eggplant; saute until tender, about 5 minutes. In a large skillet, cook the beef, onion, celery and garlic over medium heat until meat is no longer pink; drain. Add the eggplant, tomato sauce, parsley, oregano, salt and pepper; bring to a boil. Remove from the heat. , Spoon beef mixture into pie crust. Bake 20 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese. Bake until cheese is melted, 5-10 minutes longer. Let stand for 10 minutes before cutting.

EGGPLANT TOMATO PIE

Steps:

• 1. Peel and cube eggplant. Boil until soft and tender. Then drain water and mash
• 2. Add diced onion, garlic, breadcrumbs, egg, and melted butter to the mash. If the mixture is too wet, add more breadcrumbs Mix well
• 3. Grease a pie pan. Sprinkle some breadcrumbs on the bottom of the pan to absorb excess liquid. Slice one tomato and layer on bottom of pan.
• 4. Spread the egg plant mixture over the tomato layer. Sliced the remaining tomato and layer on top of eggplant mixture
• 5. Put a sprinkling of Romano cheese over top of mixture. Add the mozzarella cheese evenly across the top.
• 6. Bake at 350°F for 30 minutes or until golden brown

LAMB AND EGGPLANT SHEPHERD'S PIE

Steps:

• For filling:
• Scatter eggplant on rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle with coarse salt; let stand 1 hour, tossing occasionally. Rinse eggplant and pat very dry.
• Heat 3 tablespoons oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add eggplant and sauté until tender, about 12 minutes. Transfer to medium bowl.
• Sprinkle lamb generously with coarse salt and pepper, then dust with flour to coat. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in same pot over medium-high heat. Add half of lamb. Sauté until browned, about 8 minutes. Transfer lamb to large bowl. Repeat with 2 tablespoons oil and remaining lamb.
• Add 1 additional tablespoon oil to same pot, if needed. Add onions. Cover and cook over medium-low heat until very tender, about 10 minutes (bottom of pot will be very dark). Add wine to pot. Increase heat and boil until wine evaporates, scraping up browned bits, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes with juice, broth, garlic, and oregano and bring to boil. Add lamb with any accumulated juices. Cover; reduce heat to low and simmer 1 hour. Uncover and continue to simmer until lamb is very tender and gravy thickens slightly, about 45 minutes. Stir in eggplant. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. DO AHEAD: Can be made 3 days ahead. Cool slightly. Cover and chill.
• For topping:
• Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook potatoes in large pot of boiling salted water until tender, about 14 minutes.
• Meanwhile, melt butter with oil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add garlic. Sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add milk and bring to simmer.
• Drain potatoes. Return to pot. Stir over medium heat until excess moisture evaporates. Add milk mixture and mash potatoes until just smooth. Stir in cheese. Season with coarse salt and pepper. Drop potatoes over filling by heaping tablespoonfuls, covering completely.
• Bake pie until filling is heated through and topping is golden, about 45 minutes.

EGGPLANT AND TOMATO PIE

Steps:

• 1. Line a lightly oiled 9- or 10-inch tart pan with the dough. Using a fork, pierce at regular intervals to allow for even baking. Refrigerate or freeze until ready to prebake and fill. 2. Heat the oven to 450 degrees Fahrenheit. Slice the eggplant about 1/3 inch thick and toss with salt to taste and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Line 1 to 2 baking sheets with foil and brush the foil with olive oil. Lay the eggplant slices on the foil in 1 layer. Roast for 15 to 20 minutes, until the slices are soft when pierced with a knife and browned in spots. Remove from the oven and carefully fold the foil up over the eggplant slices. Crimp the edges of the foil and allow the eggplant to steam for another 15 to 20 minutes. It should now be completely cooked. Turn the oven down to 350 degrees. 3. Beat together the eggs in a medium bowl. Set the tart pan on a baking sheet to allow for easy handling. Using a pastry brush lightly brush the bottom of the crust with the beaten egg and place in the oven for 10 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside. 4. Whisk the milk into the eggs. Add salt (I usually use about 1/2 teaspoon) and pepper. Spread 1/4 cup tomato sauce over the bottom of the crust. Top with a layer of eggplant slices. Season with salt and pepper. Spoon one third of the remaining sauce over the eggplant and sprinkle with thyme, Parmesan, and half of the Gruyère. Repeat the layers one or two more times, depending on the size of your eggplant slices, ending with the Gruyère. Pour on the egg and milk mixture. It should seep down into the layers; if it looks like it's not moving and going to overflow the crust, use a fork to create some holes. Arrange the sliced tomatoes on top and sprinkle remaining thyme over the tomatoes. Drizzle on 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Place in the oven and bake for 40-45 minutes, until bubbling and browned on the top and edges. Remove from the heat and allow to sit for at least 10 minutes before serving. Serve hot, warm, or room temperature.

BAKED ANGEL HAIR WITH EGGPLANT POT PIE

Steps:

• Heat 1/3 cup of oil in a large nonstick frying pan over medium-high heat. Add half of the eggplant and toss to coat in the oil. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Saute the eggplant until it is golden and tender, about 10 minutes. Decrease the heat to medium. Add half of the garlic and saute until it is tender, about 2 minutes longer. Using a slotted spoon, transfer the eggplant mixture to a large bowl. Repeat with the remaining 1/4 cup oil and the remaining eggplant and garlic. Add the sausage and wine to the same frying pan. Cook over medium-high heat until the wine evaporates and the sausage is brown, breaking the sausage into pieces with the back of a spoon, about 8 minutes. Add the sausage, marinara sauce, and crushed red pepper to the eggplant mixture, and toss to combine. Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Add the angel hair and cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring constantly, until pasta is still slightly crunchy and undercooked. Drain. Toss the angel hair with the eggplant mixture. Cool completely. Add the mozzarella and Parmesan and toss to combine. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F. Roll out 1 pastry sheet on a floured surface to a 13 1/2-inch square. Transfer to a 9-inch springform pan, allowing the excess pastry to hang over the rim. Spoon the pasta mixture into the pan. Place the second pastry sheet atop the pasta filling. Pinch the edges of the pastry sheets together to seal. Trim the overhanging pastry edges to about 1-inch. Fold the pastry edges in to form a decorative border. Cut a slit in the center of the top pastry to allow the steam to escape. Bake until the pastry is brown and puffed on top, about 1 hour and 30 minutes. Let stand for 20 minutes. Remove the pan sides and serve.

MELITZANOPITA (GREEK PIE USING EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) )

Steps:

• In a large saucepan over medium heat, sauté eggplant and onion, stirring occasionally, until eggplant is soft and has become almost a puree, about 20 minutes.
• Add bacon or ham, tomato paste and salt and pepper (careful with the salt - it may not seem like a lot but the bacon and the cheese, that will be added later will add a lot more), and cook another 5 minutes. You may have a dark brown film on the bottom of your skillet (I do not use non-stick surfaces - only stainless steel). You will find that this scrapes up easily once you turn off the heat and the eggplant puree starts to cool. Do scrape it back into the puree with a spoon as this is highly-flavoured and helps the overall taste (if it doesn't scrape easily in the beginning, just wait a couple of minutes longer). Allow to cool.
• Note: The eggplant puree can be made up to 1 day ahead and refrigerated. Bring to room temperature before continuing with recipe.
• In a large bowl, combine well eggplant puree, feta, eggs, parsley and mint. Taste a small amount of the filling to decide if you would like it a bit saltier.
• Preheat oven to 390°F.
• Butter bottom and sides of a 15 X 11 inch baking pan. Stagger sheets of phyllo in pan, brushing each sheet with olive oil as you position it in the pan.
• When you have used half the sheets of phyllo pastry, empty the filling into the pan and spread it out evenly.
• Continue staggering the remaining sheets of phyllo over top, brushing each one with olive oil as you position it in the pan. Tuck in any overhang you have and give a last generous brushing of olive oil to the whole pie.
• With a sharp knife, score the pie lengthwise into 4 strips, and then score into 4 strips crosswise (resulting in 16 pieces of pie). DO NOT CUT ALL THE WAY THROUGH PHYLLO - JUST THE TOP LAYERS.
• Generously sprinkle the pie with some tap water using your fingertips (run your hand under the tap and sprinkle the water over the pie - do about 5 of these sprinkles - this results in a crisper, crunchier crust).
• Brush pie with egg wash and sprinkle with the sesame seeds. Bake for 1 hour, or until pie is a golden-brown. You may need to reverse pan back to front midway through baking.
• Allow to cool 15-20 minutes before cutting into. Personally, I like this pie just warm or at room temperature.
• Enjoy.

MOROCCAN LAMB AND EGGPLANT MATZO PIE WITH SPICY TOMATO SAUCE

Steps:

• Make lamb filling:
• Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet (2 inches deep) over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté onion, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 5 minutes. Add lamb and sauté, stirring and breaking up lumps, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Add two thirds of garlic, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon ras-el-hanout with oregano, mint, pepper, and cinnamon, then sauté, stirring, 1 minute.
• Stir in 4 cups tomatoes with some of juice (reserving remaining tomatoes and juice for sauce) and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, 10 to 12 minutes.
• Roast eggplant and assemble pie:
• Preheat broiler.
• Toss eggplant slices with 4 tablespoons oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a bowl. Brush a large shallow baking pan (1/2 to 1 inch deep) generously with oil and arrange as many slices as possible in 1 layer. Broil, in batches if necessary, 5 to 7 inches from heat, turning slices over as they brown (about halfway through broiling), until tender, 12 to 15 minutes total.
• Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F.
• Soak matzos, 1 or 2 at a time, in a pan of warm water until matzos are slightly softened but still hold their shape, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Let excess water drip off and transfer matzos to paper towels or kitchen towels to drain.
• Arrange 2 matzos side by side in a generously oiled 13- by 9- by 2-inch (3-quart) baking dish to nearly cover bottom. Spread 3 cups lamb filling over matzos in pan. Arrange 2 matzos side by side on top, then spread remaining filling over them. Arrange eggplant slices in 1 layer over filling (overlapping slices slightly if necessary), then arrange remaining 2 matzos on top and brush with oil. Bake, covered with foil, 20 minutes, then remove foil and continue to bake until filling is hot, about 10 minutes more.
• Make tomato sauce while pie bakes:
• Purée remaining 2 cups chopped tomatoes with juice in a blender. Heat remaining tablespoon oil in a 10- to 12-inch skillet over moderate heat, then cook cayenne, remaining garlic, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon each ras-el-hanout and salt, stirring, until garlic is golden, about 1 minute. Add tomato purée and sugar and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, 4 to 6 minutes.
• *Available at specialty foods shops and Kalustyan's (800-352-3451).

LAMB AND EGGPLANT SHEPHERD'S PIE RECIPE - (5/5)

Steps:

• For filling: Scatter eggplant on rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle with coarse salt; let stand 1 hour, tossing occasionally. Rinse eggplant and pat very dry. Heat 3 tablespoons oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add eggplant and sauté until tender, about 12 minutes. Transfer to medium bowl. Sprinkle lamb generously with coarse salt and pepper, then dust with flour to coat. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in same pot over medium-high heat. Add half of lamb. Sauté until browned, about 8 minutes. Transfer lamb to large bowl. Repeat with 2 tablespoons oil and remaining lamb. Add 1 additional tablespoon oil to same pot, if needed. Add onions. Cover and cook over medium-low heat until very tender, about 10 minutes (bottom of pot will be very dark). Add wine to pot. Increase heat and boil until wine evaporates, scraping up browned bits, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes with juice, broth, garlic, and oregano and bring to boil. Add lamb with any accumulated juices. Cover; reduce heat to low and simmer 1 hour. Uncover and continue to simmer until lamb is very tender and gravy thickens slightly, about 45 minutes. Stir in eggplant. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. DO AHEAD: Can be made 3 days ahead. Cool slightly. Cover and chill. For topping: Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook potatoes in large pot of boiling salted water until tender, about 14 minutes. Meanwhile, melt butter with oil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add garlic. Sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add milk and bring to simmer. Drain potatoes. Return to pot. Stir over medium heat until excess moisture evaporates. Add milk mixture and mash potatoes until just smooth. Stir in cheese. Season with coarse salt and pepper. Drop potatoes over filling by heaping tablespoonfuls, covering completely. Bake pie until filling is heated through and topping is golden, about 45 minutes. * A firm white cheese made from sheep's milk; available at many supermarkets and at Greek markets and some Italian markets.

EGGPLANT PIE WITH ITALIAN SAUSAGE & BECHAMEL SAUCE

Steps:

• 1. Turn on oven broiler. Place eggplant on broiler pan and brush with oil. Broil on both sides untill golden brown. While the eggplant is broiling (watch carefully), fry down the bulk Italian sausage (optional) and drain all grease.
• 2. Once eggplant is out of the oven, turn oven on 350 degrees. In an 8x8 or 7x11 inch oven-proof casserole, layer half the eggplant slices then half the sauce. Top with half the sausage and then half the mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layers.
• 3. Cover with foil and bake for 45 minutes.
• 4. While casserole is baking, make the white sauce by melting the butter in a heavy saucepan. Whisk in flour and continue to whisk over medium heat until mixture is a light tan. Slowly add the milk; whisking constantly. Cook and stir over low heat untill the sauce is smooth and thick. Season lightly with salt and pepper, then remove from heat, stir and cover untill ready to spread over casserole.
• 5. After 45 minutes of baking, remove the aluminum foil from casserole dish and spoon white sauce over the top of the casserole. Sprinkle the remaining mozzarella cheese over the top. Turn oven to BROIL and heat heat casserole until top is lightly browned and bubbly. I serve with crisp green salad and garlic bread.

EGGPLANT & ZUCCHINI PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 350º F.
• To prepare the filling, lightly brush a baking pan with olive oil. Place the eggplant halves skin side up on the pan and roast in the oven for 40 - 45 minutes, or until completely tender.
• Remove from the oven and set aside to cool. When cool, carefully scoop out the flesh and transfer to a strainer, discarding the skin. Let drain for 20 minutes, and then chop coarsely.
• Melt the butter in a saucepan over low heat. Stir in the flour and cook for 2 to 3 minutes, or until blended.
• Gradually pour in the milk while stirring and continues to stir until the mixture thickens.
• Remove from the heat. Fold in the goat cheese and the eggs one by one.
• Season to taste with salt, pepper and a dash of nutmeg.
• Add the chopped eggplant and garlic into the mixture.
• Spoon the eggplant mixture into the pie shell and spread it out evenly.
• Slice the tomatoes and zucchinis into thin slices. Beginning on the outermost edge of the pie and working clockwise, arrange
• alternating tomato and zucchini disks on top of the eggplant mixture, overlapping slightly. To fill the center, arrange alternating tomato and zucchini disks counter clockwise, overlapping slightly.
• Sprinkle with the breadcrumbs, thyme leaves and 2 tablespoons of the olive oil. Season with salt and pepper.
• Place the eggplant pie on a baking sheet in the center of the oven and bake about 30 minutes.
• To prepare the sauce, combine the olive oil and onion in a saucepan and sauté over medium heat for 3 minutes, or until translucent.
• Stir in the garlic, tomatoes, bell pepper, thyme, sugar, salt and pepper
• and cook for 15 minutes, or until it thickens. Adjust the seasonings if necessary and stir in the basil. Keep warm.
• Remove the pie from the oven and un-mold onto a warm serving dish or cut into slices. Serve with the sauce on the side.

MEDITERRANEAN AUBERGINE (EGGPLANT) POT PIE

Steps:

• Toss eggplant slices with olive oil. Arrange in a pie crust style shape in round cake or casserole pan (heck, it could even be square) about eight inches across. Reserve a few of the thinnest slices.
• Toss olives, garlic, onion, half the hummus, and half the alcoholic beverage/water.
• Layer bell pepper strips and reserved eggplant slices over top.
• Sprinkle with Parmesan cheese (if you want it), and reserved hummus (diluted to pourable consistency with anything).
• Lay a sheet of loose aluminum foil across top and bake at 375 degrees for 40-50 minutes.
• For Vegan omit the cheese.

TURKISH EGGPLANT PIE

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190C). Coat 10-inch fluted-edge tart pan with cooking spray.
• Roast eggplants on baking sheet 50 minutes, or until tender. Cool. Scoop flesh into food processor; puree until smooth.
• Heat oil in skillet over medium heat. Add onion, bell pepper, mint, anise, cumin, paprika, and red pepper flakes; saute 8 minutes.
• add chopped tomatoes and tomato paste; simmer 10 minutes.
• Stir in eggplant and garlic; cook 10 minutes.
• Press 1 phyllo sheet into prepared tart pan. Spray with cooking spray, and sprinkle wiht 1 1/2 teaspoons breadcrumbs. Repeat layering with remaining phyllo and breadcrumbs. Roll over edges, and coat with cooking spray.
• Spoon eggplant mixture into crust. Arrange tomato slices and olives over top, and sprinkle with breadcrumbs (if using).
• Bake 1 hour,or until phyllo is golden. Cool 10 minutes before serving.

EGGPLANT AND ZUCCHINI PIE- SCOTTO FAMILY RECIPE - (4.3/5)

Steps:

• Layer breaded eggplant cutlets and hearty zucchini slices with rich ricotta, mozzarella and parmesan cheese - and top it all with a classic red sauce. Heat through. Cheese mixture In a large bowl, combine the ricotta, mozzarella, Parmesan, parsley and eggs. Mix well and season with salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate briefly to make the mixture firm. Eggplant and zucchini pie Slice the eggplants and zucchini into ¼-inch-thick slices. Set the zucchini aside. Fill a bowl with lightly salted water, add the eggplant, and soak for 1½ to 2 hours to remove the bitter taste. Drain and pat dry. In one shallow bowl, place the flour. In a second bowl, beat the eggs with a fork until blended. In a third bowl, mix the bread crumbs, cheese, parsley, salt and pepper. Line up the bowls on a work surface. One at a time, carefully dip the eggplant and zucchini slices first into the flour, making sure both sides are covered; then into the egg mixture; and finally into the bread crumb mixture. Coat both sides very well, and gently tap off any excess coating. Transfer to a large plate and season with salt and pepper. In a large, heavy skillet over medium heat, heat the olive oil. Add the zucchini and eggplant and sauté on both sides until golden brown, about 3 minutes, making sure that they are cooked all the way through and soft. Try not to crowd the pan, and fry eggplant first. Place the cooked eggplant and zucchini on paper towels to drain off the excess oil. Preheat the oven to 450 degrees F. In a large 9x13-inch baking pan, add 1 cup tomato sauce, a layer ¼ eggplant and zucchini, and top with a layer of ¼ cheese mixture Repeat the process three more times. Top with a layer of tomato sauce and sprinkle with ½ cup Parmesan cheese. Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Serve immediately. Tomato sauce Heat the olive oil in a large saucepan over medium heat. Add the garlic and cook, stirring, for 3 minutes, or until the garlic just begins to turn golden brown. Increase the heat to medium-high, add the tomatoes, red pepper flakes, and salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, for 15 minutes, or until the tomatoes are softened and a sauce is formed. Stir in the basil.

BEEF AND EGGPLANT PIE

Steps:

• Roll out pastry to an 11-inch circle. Use to line 9-inch pie plate; crimp edge decoratively. Refrigerate until ready to use.
• Cut unpeeled eggplant into ½-inch cubes; measure 2 cups.
• In 4 tablespoons hot butter in medium saucepan, cook eggplant, covered, 5 minutes; drain.
• Preheat oven to 375°F.
• Melt rest of butter in medium skillet. In it, sauté onion and garlic until onion is tender - about 5 minutes.
• Add chuck and rest of ingredients to skillet; mix well. Cook, over medium heat, 5 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Add eggplant to meat mixture, turn into pie shell. Bake 45-60 minutes, or until crust is golden. Serve hot.

EGGPLANT PIE

Steps:

• Sprinkle both sides of the eggplant slices with salt and spread them out on a double thickness of paper towels. Cover with another double thickness of paper towels and let stand for 15 minutes. Press down on the top layer of paper towels to blot up as much water as possible. Spray both sides of the eggplant slices with nonstick olive oil cooking spray. Broil the eggplant slices for about 2 minutes on each side, until golden brown and soft to the touch. (The eggplant slices can also be grilled, which gives them a delightful smoky flavor.) Transfer the broiled eggplant to a large bowl. For the kale layer: Bring 3 quarts of water to a boil in a large pot over medium-high heat; add 1 teaspoon of salt. Add the kale and cook for 5 minutes, until it is soft but still bright green. Drain and rinse the kale in cold water until it is completely cool. Use your hands to squeeze as much water out of the kale as possible, then use a chef's knife to coarsely chop the kale, making sure there are no large pieces of stems. (There should be about 3 cups.) Place the chopped kale in a large bowl. Add the olive oil, garlic, herbs, seasonings and cheeses; mix well. To assemble: Spray the inside of a 9-inch deep-dish pie plate with nonstick cooking oil spray. Spread 1/4 cup of the marinara sauce evenly on the bottom of the pie plate. Starting from the outside and working in, use half of the broiled eggplant to line the bottom of the plate in slightly overlapping concentric circles. Then build layers in this order: half of the kale mixture; 1/2 cup of marinara sauce, half of the shredded mozzarella cheese, all of the red peppers, the remaining kale mixture, the remaining marinara sauce, the remaining eggplant the remaining mozzarella and the Parmesan. Bake uncovered for 45 minutes or until the cheese is a deep golden brown and the sauce is bubbling at the edges. Transfer to a cooling rack for 15 minutes to allow the pie to settle.