Jul 14 2026
Restaurants›Fire Engine Pizza Co›Carmine's Eggplant Recipe

Carmine's Eggplant Recipe

Inspired by Fire Engine Pizza Co
Time1h 30m
Serves6

A house specialty, thinly sliced fresh eggplant fried and layered with Mozzarella, Parmesan, impastata ricotta, and our marinara.

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Ingredients

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Eggplant Preparation

Cheese Mixture

Marinara Sauce

Method

Eggplant Preparation

  1. 1

    Slice and Salt the Eggplant

    Wash the eggplants, trim the ends, and slice them into 1/4 inch thick rounds. Sprinkle the slices with salt and let them sit for about 30 minutes to draw out moisture. Rinse and pat dry.

  2. 2

    Prepare Breading Station

    Set up a breading station with three bowls: one with flour, one with beaten eggs, and one with bread crumbs. Season the flour with black pepper.

  3. 3

    Bread the Eggplant

    Dredge each eggplant slice in flour, then dip in the beaten eggs, and finally coat with bread crumbs. Ensure each slice is evenly coated.

  4. 4

    Fry the Eggplant

    In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium-high heat. Fry the eggplant slices in batches until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels and set aside.

Cheese Mixture

  1. 5

    Combine Cheese Ingredients

    In a mixing bowl, combine the mozzarella cheese, Parmesan cheese, and impastata ricotta. Mix until well blended.

Marinara Sauce

  1. 6

    Sauté Garlic

    In a medium saucepan, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add minced garlic and sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute.

  2. 7

    Make the Sauce

    Add the crushed tomatoes, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper to the saucepan. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, stirring occasionally. Stir in fresh basil leaves just before serving.

Assembly and Baking

  1. 8

    Layer the Dish

    In a baking dish, spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom. Layer half of the fried eggplant slices, followed by half of the cheese mixture, and another layer of marinara sauce. Repeat with the remaining eggplant, cheese, and sauce.

  2. 9

    Bake

    Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

  3. 10

    Serve

    Let the dish cool for a few minutes before slicing. Serve warm, garnished with additional fresh basil if desired.

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