Baked eggplant parmigiana

The Aussie pub classic the parmi (or parma to Melburnians) has competition with this creamy baked eggplant version topped off with panko breadcrumbs.

Baked eggplant parmigiana Credit: Chris Middleton

• serves

  4-6

• prep

  25 minutes

• cook

  2 hours

• difficulty

  Easy

Ingredients

• 1.5 kg (3 lb 5 oz) eggplant (aubergines), sliced 5 mm (¼ inch) thick (see Note)
• 125 ml (4 fl oz/½ cup) olive oil
• 75 g (2½ oz/½ cup) grated mozzarella
• fresh basil leaves, to garnish

Sugo

• 2 tbsp olive oil
• 1 red onion, finely chopped
• 2 garlic cloves, crushed
• ¼ tsp chilli flakes
• 400 g (14 oz) tinned crushed tomatoes
• 500 ml (17 fl oz/2 cups) tomato passata
• 2 tsp balsamic vinegar
• 1 tsp sea salt flakes
• 2 basil sprigs

Topping

• 15 g (½ oz/¼ cup) panko breadcrumbs
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 25 g (1 oz/¼ cup) finely grated parmesan

Instructions

1. To make the sugo, heat the olive oil in a saucepan over medium–low heat. Add the onion and cook gently for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally, and adding a little water if it starts to brown. Add the garlic and chilli flakes and cook for a minute further.

2. Stir in the tomatoes, passata, vinegar, salt, basil and 125 ml (4 fl oz/½ cup) water. Bring to a low boil, then cover and simmer over low heat for 15 minutes, or until the mixture has reduced and thickened to a saucy consistency.

3. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 150°C/300°F (fan-forced). Lightly grease a 20 cm (8 inch) square baking dish.

4. Heat a large heavy-based frying pan over medium–high heat. Brush some of the eggplant slices with some of the olive oil and cook on each side for 1 minute, or until golden brown. Remove to a plate lined with paper towel and finish cooking the remaining eggplant slices.

5. Lay some of the eggplant slices in the baking dish, in a single layer. Spread a cupful of the sugo over the top. Repeat with more eggplant and sugo layers, finishing with the sugo. Scatter the mozzarella over the top. Cover the dish with foil, transfer to the oven and bake for 1 hour.

6. Remove the dish from the oven and remove the foil. To make the topping, toss the breadcrumbs and olive oil together in a small bowl, scatter evenly over the bake, then sprinkle with the parmesan. Bake for a further 30 minutes, or until the topping is crunchy and golden.

7. Remove from the oven and allow to stand for 5 minutes. Serve scattered with basil leaves.

Note

• For this recipe, choose fresh, glossy small eggplants, as they will not need salting to draw out any bitter juices.

This recipe is from Low & Slow (Smith Street Books).

Cook's Notes

Oven temperatures are for conventional; if using fan-forced (convection), reduce the temperature by 20˚C. | We use Australian tablespoons and cups: 1 teaspoon equals 5 ml; 1 tablespoon equals 20 ml; 1 cup equals 250 ml. | All herbs are fresh (unless specified) and cups are lightly packed. | All vegetables are medium size and peeled, unless specified. | All eggs are 55-60 g, unless specified.