Layered Eggplant and Polenta Casserole

Look for precooked polenta logs in the refrigerated section of your grocery store. If using fresh plum tomatoes,, peel them by scoring an X in the bottom with a pairing knife and plunging them into boiling water for several seconds; transfer to an ice bath, and let cool. Slip off and discard peels and seeds. This recipe is for fall weather and the coming of winter - I know I am getting ahead of myself but I want to save this, MarthaStewart.com with some tweaking.

• Ready In: 2 hrs 5 mins
• Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 2  tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 1  yellow onion, cut into 1/4-inch slices
• 4  garlic cloves, minced
• 2  lbs fresh tomatoes or 2  lbs canned plum tomatoes, peeled and chopped with 1/4 teaspoon coarse salt
• 1⁄2 cup  sliced mushrooms (use button or cremini)
• 1  tablespoon  balsamic vinegar
• 1  tablespoon  italian seasoning
• 3⁄4 cup  loosely packed basil leaves, roughly chopped
•  fresh ground pepper
•  crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 1⁄4 lbs  medium eggplants, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds
• 16  ounces  log precooked polenta, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds

Directions

1. Preheat oven to 400ºF degrees with rack in upper third.
2. In a medium saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat; add the onion, garlic, and mushrooms cook, stirring, until soft and lightly golden, about 8 minutes.
3. Add tomatoes and salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce has thickened, about 30 minutes.
4. Stir in vinegar, oregano, basil & Italian seasoning; season with pepper.
5. Remove sauce from heat.
6. Meanwhile, heat a large cast-iron skillet or grill pan over medium heat; lightly brush eggplant slices with the remaining tablespoon oil.
7. Working in batches, lay slices in skillet in a single layer; cook until browned and they begin to soften, 2 to 3 minutes per side.
8. Transfer to a plate.
9. Spoon about a cup tomato sauce into a 9-inch square baking dish, spreading to coat evenly; arrange eggplant slices snugly in a single layer.
10. Spoon about 1 cup tomato sauce over eggplant, and arrange polenta rounds in slightly overlapping slices on top.
11. Repeat with sauce and another layer of eggplant.
12. Finish by dotting with remaining tomato sauce.
13. Cover with foil; bake until bubbling and juicy, about 30 minutes.
14. Remove foil; continue baking until sauce is lightly caramelized and eggplant is tender, about 15 minutes more.
15. Remove from oven; let cool slightly, and serve.