EGGPLANT BRUSCHETTA






Sometimes I skip the tomato and melt cheese on top of the eggplant.


Japanese Eggplant


This is one of my favorite appetizers of all time.  I love eggplant and especially Japanese eggplants which are a perfect size for appetizers, and far less bitter than the larger variety of eggplants.  There is no need to soak them in salt water, or peel them or anything like that.  I sometimes make them as a veggie side.  Problem is, I find myself snacking in the kitchen before I get to the table.  They are so good, especially when you're hungry.  Yum!!  

NOTE:  To make the Eggplant with Melted Mozzarella or Monterey Jack cheese...just place prepared, breaded and fried eggplant on a greased cookie sheet.  Cover each slice with finely grated cheese and bake in a moderate oven just until the cheese has melted!  Sometimes I skip the tomato but it is so much tastier with the tomato and there is no need to melt the cheese either when you use tomato.

7 tbsp olive oil (105 mL)
1 small onion, chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
14.5 oz can diced tomatoes (411 g)
1/cup water (125 mL)
Liquid sweetener to equal 2 tsp sugar (OPTIONAL) (10 mL)
  (simply there to balance very savory flavors)
1/tsp dried oregano (2 mL)
1/tsp dried basil (2 mL)
1/tsp No Salt® (2 mL)
1/cup Gluten-Free Bake Mix (CLICK), OR use almond
  meal/flour (125 mL)
1/cup grated Parmesan cheese (75 mL)
1/4 tsp Italian seasoning (1 mL)
1/4 tsp No Salt® (1 mL)
1/8 tsp black pepper (0.5 mL)
1/8 tsp salt (0.5 mL)
2 eggs
1 tbsp water (15 mL)
1 lb Japanese eggplant slices (about 1/4-inch (0.6 cm) thick)  (0.45 kg)
1 cup grated Mozzarella cheese (250 mL)

In large skillet, in 1 tbsp (15 mL) olive oil, cook onion and garlic until translucent and tender. Stir in tomatoes, water, liquid sweetener (if using), oregano, basil and No Salt®.  Simmer over low heat 10 minutes.  On dinner plate, spread Gluten-Free Bake Mix, OR almond meal/flour Parmesan cheese, Italian seasoning, No Salt®, black pepper and salt.  In small bowl, beat eggs and water together with fork.  Dip eggplant in egg wash and then lightly in Parmesan cheese mixture on both sides.  In large nonstick saucepan, in 1 tbsp (15 mL) hot oil, fry eggplant slices until golden brown on both sides.  Repeat.

Place a little tomato mixture along with some cheese on each eggplant round.  They may be reheated if desired; however, they are tasty at room temperature as well.

Helpful Hints:  If you think you will run out of “breading” then stir in some more Parmesan cheese or bake mix.  You will need a good nonstick saucepan that is still in good shape to use the amounts of oil indicated otherwise the eggplant absorbs too much oil.

Yield:  8 servings
1 serving (about 6)
246.7 calories
8.5 g protein
20.4 g fat
8.0 g carbs