Eggplant Parmigiana by Chef Fabio Viviani

Ingredients

• 1 large purple eggplant
• Olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• 2 c. marinara sauce, homemade or premade
• 1 c. Parmesan cheese, grated
• 1 c. Mozzarella cheese, grated
• 12 Basil leaves, julienned

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 325 degrees

2. With a potato peeler, remove the skin of the eggplant. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

3. On a sheet pan, place eggplant in oven for about 15 minutes, or until the eggplant is soft and almost falling apart with a fork. Remove from oven and let cool.

4. Slice the eggplant into ¼ inch slices. Increase oven to 375 degrees.

5. Take out 2 ramekins. Layer an eggplant slice, about 2 tbs. marinara, 1 tbs. Parmesan, and about ¼ c. mozzarella, and a few basil leaves. Repeat until ramekins are filled (about 2-3 layers each).

6. Place ramekins on baking sheet and into oven for about 15 more minutes. Remove and serve warm.