Eggplant and Mozzarella Melt

DesertRose15's Note:

This recipe is from Martha Stewart's Everyday Food.

• Total Time: 28 mins
• Prep Time: 20 mins
• Cook Time: 8 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 2 large eggs
• coarse salt and pepper
• 3/4 cup dried breadcrumbs
• 2 teaspoons olive oil, for baking sheet
• 1 medium eggplant, sliced into 1/2-inch-thick rounds (about 1 pound)
• 1 loaf soft Italian bread
• 2 cups tomato sauce
• 8 ounces part-skim mozzarella cheese, thinly sliced

Directions:

1. Preheat oven to 475 degrees. In a shallow bowl, lightly beat eggs with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Spread breadcrumbs in a pie plate or shallow bowl.
2. Oil a rimmed baking sheet. Dip eggplant rounds in egg, then dredge in breadcrumbs, turning to coat completely; transfer to prepared baking sheet. Bake (without turning) until golden and tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, split bread lengthwise, and place cut side up on another baking sheet; press gently in centers to create a well. Layer both halves with tomato sauce, eggplant, and cheese. Bake until cheese is browned in spots, 6 to 8 minutes.

Reviews

[Sharon123]

I really enjoyed this for lunch today! I halved the recipe, using a Japanese eggplant. I used more than half the breadcrumbs, and cooked the eggplant about 10 minutes longer than directed. I also toasted the bread first, and used spaghetti sauce. Thanks! Made for the IRON CHEF game.

[Karen Elizabeth]

I've made this twice now, the first time I made it all as recipe, Except I didn't serve it on bread, I served it on spaghetti, I must tell you that this goes very well with spaghetti! Its a super way to do eggplant, tasty and easy, actually, I eat half the eggplant before it gets as far as the finished dish! Second time, I got everything right except the tomato sauce, I had several nice tomatoes and decided to slice them onto the bread, and layer with the eggplant and the mozzarella cheese. This also works! So I thought I must tell you that this is a great way to prepare eggplant, and its a very versatile recipe! Thanks for posting! Made for New Kids On The Block.