Melanzane Recipe

Time1h 15m

Serves4

eggplant, mozzarella cheese and marinara sauce

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Ingredients

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1
Preheat the oven
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
2
Prepare the eggplant
Slice the eggplants into 1/2-inch thick rounds. You can choose to peel them or leave the skin on, depending on your preference.
3
Salt the eggplant
Sprinkle the sliced eggplant with salt and let them sit for about 30 minutes. This helps to draw out moisture and bitterness. After 30 minutes, rinse the eggplant slices under cold water and pat them dry with a paper towel.

4
Fry the eggplant
In a skillet, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Once hot, add the eggplant slices in batches and fry until golden brown on both sides, about 3-4 minutes per side. Remove from the skillet and set aside on a paper towel to absorb excess oil.
5
Layer the ingredients
In a baking dish, spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom. Layer half of the fried eggplant slices over the sauce, followed by half of the mozzarella cheese. Pour half of the remaining marinara sauce over the cheese, and then repeat the layering process with the remaining eggplant, mozzarella, and marinara sauce.
6
Bake
Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes, remove the foil and bake for an additional 15-20 minutes, or until the cheese is bubbly and golden.

7
Garnish and serve
Once baked, remove the dish from the oven and let it cool for a few minutes. Garnish with fresh basil before serving. Enjoy your Melanzane!