Eggplant Baked With Tomato Sauce Recipe

INGREDIENTS:

For the tomato sauce:

• 1 medium onion, chopped coarsely
• 3 large, ripe, juicy tomatoes, chopped coarsely
• 3 garlic cloves, peeled
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt or to taste
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 3 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 sprig fresh oregano herb or 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, or 1/2 teaspoon dried za’atar herb

For the eggplant:

• Slices of halumi or mozzarella cheese, 1 per slice of eggplant.
• 1/2 cup grated Parmesan or other sharp cheese
• 1 large eggplant
• 1/2 cup flour seasoned with 1/4 teaspoon salt, for coating
• Olive oil

DIRECTIONS:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
2. Prepare the sauce:Blend the onions, tomatoes, garlic, olive oil, salt and pepper in a blender or food processor until only slightly chunky.
3. Pour into a medium pan. Add the tomato paste, water, bay leaf and oregano. Stir well.
4. Cook, covered, over medium heat until the mixture simmers. Lower the heat and continue cooking, uncovered, until the sauce is thick and savory; about 1/2 hour.
5. Adjust salt and pepper if desired.
6. In the meantime, slice the eggplant thickly. Rinse the slices and drain.
7. Drag the eggplant slices through the seasoned flour and place them on a generously greased baking pan. Or line the pan with baking parchment.
8. Dribble a little olive oil over each eggplant slice.
9. Sliced eggplant is a filling, hearty yet healthy alternative to meat or poultry. 
10. Bake for 15 minutes or until tender and getting crisp at the edges. Don’t turn the oven off yet.
11. Remove the bay leaf from the sauce.
12. Place a slice of halumi or mozzarella over each eggplant slice. Cover with a large spoonful of tomato sauce. Cover each slice with grated cheese.
13. Bake the slices 5-10 minutes, or until the halumi or mozzarella is melting.
14. Serve hot, with lemonade for the kids and the aforementioned chilled rose wine for the grownups.

Source: From The Grape Vine