Wyatt Cafeteria's Baked Eggplant (Aubergine)

There was once a cafeteria in Texas called Wyatts Cafeteria. DH's family would go there after church on Sunday and his mother would get baked eggplant. For years she tried to copy the recipe and came very close. The original recipe was published in the local paper several years ago. Hope you enjoy it as much as we do.

• Ready In: 7 hrs 15 mins
• Serves: 8

Ingredients

• 1  lb eggplant, peeled and cut into 1 inch cubes
• 1⁄2 lb  dried breadcrumbs (I use as did my mother-in-law a herbed stuffing mix)
• 1⁄2 cup  canned evaporated milk
• 1⁄4 cup  whole milk
• 1⁄4 cup butter, melted
• 1⁄4 cup  finely chopped onion
• 1⁄4 cup  finely chopped green pepper
• 1⁄4 cup  finely chopped celery
• 2  eggs, slightly beaten
• 1  tablespoon chopped pimiento
• 2  teaspoons salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon pepper
• 1⁄4 teaspoon dried sage
• 1 1⁄2 cups cheddar cheese, grated

Directions

1. Soak the eggplant cubes in salt water in refrigerator overnight or a minimum of six hours.
2. Drain and place in medium saucepan.
3. Cover with water and simmer until tender.
4. Soak the bread crumbs in milk.
5. Saute the onions, green peppers, and celery in melted butter for about 15 minutes or until tender.
6. Combine the cooked eggplant, bread crumbs and sauteed vegetables.
7. Add the eggs, pimiento, and seasonings; mix thoroughly.
8. Place the mixture into a 2 quart baking dish that has been sprayed with non-stick cooking spray, cover and bake at 350 degrees for 30 to 40 minutes.
9. Remove cover, top with grated cheese and return to oven last 5 minutes of cooking.
10. The preparation time includes the soaking time for the eggplant.