EGGPLANT BAKED FLORENTINE-STYLE RECIPE - (4.7/5)

Eggplant Baked Florentine-Style Recipe - (4.7/5) image

Provided by á-3209

Number Of Ingredients 30

Ingredients

2 firm, heavy eggplants, sliced 1/2 inch thick 10-12 slices per eggplant
1 cup lour, for dredging, about 1 cup
Salt and pepper to taste
4 eggs
1 cup panko or large homemade breadcrumbs
1 cup fine breadcrumbs
2 cups grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese, plus additional for sprinkling
Olive oil natural cooking spray or olive oil, for drizzling
CREAMED SPINACH
2 tablespoons olive or canola oil
3 large shallots, finely chopped
2 to 3 cloves garlic, grated or finely chopped
3 ounces Boursin herb soft cheese or cream cheese
1/3 About 1/3 cup half-and-half or whole milk
Freshly grated nutmeg, to taste
Salt and pepper, to taste
1 (16 ounce) bag chopped organic frozen spinach, defrosted and drained
1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
MUSHROOMS
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 pound cremini mushrooms, sliced
Salt and pepper, to taste
1/4 cup brandy or dry sherry
BECHAMEL SAUCE
4 tablespoon butter
4 tablespoons flour
3 cups warm milk
Salt and pepper
Nutmeg, grated to taste
2 cups shredded Fontina or mozzarella cheese

Steps:

Salt eggplant and let drain on kitchen towels for 30 minutes; press out excess liquid. Preheat oven to 375°F. Set up breading station: Season flour with salt and pepper in shallow dish. Whisk up eggs in a shallow dish and season with salt and pepper. Combine panko, fine crumbs, salt, pepper, 1 cup of the grated Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese and parsley in another dish. If not using cooking spray, moisten the bread with olive oil. Coat eggplant in flour, egg then breadcrumb mixture. Arrange on 2 large baking sheets, spray liberally with cooking spray (if using) on both sides. Bake eggplant 10-12 minutes then turn and bake 10-12 minutes more until crispy and brown on both sides. For the creamed spinach, heat a medium skillet over medium heat with oil, 2 turns of the pan. Add shallots and garlic, and soften 3-5 minutes. Add Boursin or cream cheese and melt; add half-and-half to thin a bit. Season with nutmeg, salt and pepper. Add spinach and heat through; fold in grated cheese. For the mushrooms, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat with olive oil, two turns of the pan. Add mushrooms and brown; season with salt and pepper. Deglaze the mushrooms with brandy or dry sherry. For the béchamel, melt butter in a saucepot over medium heat. Stir in flour and cook a minute or two. Pour in warm milk and thicken, stirring constantly. Season with salt, pepper and nutmeg to taste. Switch on broiler and place a rack in the center of oven. Make stacks of a slice of crispy eggplant, some spinach, mushrooms, another slice of eggplant, a dollop or two of sauce and a sprinkle each of Fontina or mozzarella and some Parmigiano-Reggiano. Arrange stacks in large shallow casserole or lasagna pan and carefully broil until tops are lightly browned and bubbly.