AUBERGINE, TOMATO & PARMESAN BAKE (MELANZANE ALLA PARMIGIANA)

Aubergine, tomato & Parmesan bake (Melanzane alla Parmigiana) image

Every Italian cook has their own version of this classic aubergine dish. It's even better made a day ahead

Provided by Ursula Ferrigno

Categories Dinner, Main course, Vegetable

Time 1h

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

2 garlic cloves, crushed
6 tbsp olive oil
2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes
2 tbsp tomato purée
4 aubergines, cut into long, 5mm thick slices
85g parmesan (or vegetarian alternative), freshly grated
20g pack basil, leaves torn
1 egg, beaten

Steps:

Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. In a shallow pan, mix together the garlic and 4 tbsp of the olive oil. Cook over a high heat for 3 mins, tip in the tomatoes, then simmer for 8 mins, stirring every now and then. Stir in the tomato purée.
Meanwhile, heat a griddle pan until very hot. Brush a few of the aubergines with a little oil, then add to the pan. Cook over a high heat until well browned and cooked through, about 5-7 mins. Turn them halfway through cooking. Lift onto kitchen paper and do the next batch.
When all the aubergines are cooked, lay a few of them in the bottom of an ovenproof dish, then spoon over some sauce. Sprinkle with Parmesan and basil leaves. Add seasoning, then repeat this process with the remaining ingredients. Finally, pour the egg over the top, sprinkle over a little more Parmesan, then bake for 20 mins or until the topping is golden.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 225 calories, Fat 17 grams fat, SaturatedFat 5 grams saturated fat, Carbohydrate 8 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 7 grams sugar, Fiber 5 grams fiber, Protein 10 grams protein, Sodium 0.52 milligram of sodium