Eggplant Parmesan {Vegan}
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- FOR THE EGGPLANT:
- 2 Medium Eggplants. cut into ½” rounds
- 1 Tbl Salt (used to extract excess moisture from the eggplant prior to cooking)
- 2 C Panko Bread Crumbs
- Italian Seasoning, to taste (I used 1 Tbl)
- Salt and Pepper, to taste
- 1 C Vegan Parmesan Topping
- 1 C All Purpose Flour
- 2 Tbl Ground Flax mixed with 6 Tbl Water, allow to sit (preferably refrigerated) for about 10 minutes or so
- Oil of your choosing
- 1 C Vegan Shredded Mozzarella
FOR THE TOMATO SAUCE:
- 1 Jar of Prepared Marinara Sauce
- 1 tsp Oil of your choosing
- Minced Onion, to taste
- Minced Garlic, to taste
- ¼ tsp Red Pepper Flakes
- Fresh Basil and/or parsley
Instructions
- In a large colander, add the sliced eggplant and the salt. Place the collander in the sink or over a bowl to collect any of the extracted moisture. You may get anywhere from 1-3 Tbl of water depending on the eggplant. This takes about 35-40 minutes.
- You can wipe away any excess salt before proceeding as you press them to remove any remaining moisture. You want to remove as mush liquid as possible.
- In a bowl, add the ground flax and water. Allow to sit and thicken (preferably in the refrigerator) for about 10-15 minutes. You want it gelatinous, but if it gets too thick, you can always thin with a bit more water. This will be our “egg” wash mixture.
- Preheat the oven to 400 degrees and place your baking sheets in NOW to preheat.
- Combine the bread crumbs with the parmesan and seasonings in a large dish or pie plate.
- In another bowl, or zip-top bag, add the flour and toss the eggplant, shaking to remove any excess.
- Take the flour-coated eggplant and dip in the wash mixture until completely coated. Follow with the breadcrumb mixture.
- Remove the preheated baking sheets and before placing the eggplant, brush with oil. Bake for 10-15 minutes and then flip until both sides are crispy and golden brown.
- In a saute pan, add the oil and onions. As they begin to soften, add the garlic.
- Add the onion mixture and spices to the sauce. I like to heat mine so that it’s already hot before going into the oven.
- Add some sauce to the bottom of an 8″x8″ baking pan, and place four of the baked eggplant slices.
- Top with a bit of sauce, followed by parmesan and mozzarella. Add to that, another slice of the eggplant on top of each. Repeat with sauce, parmesan and mozzarella.
- Bake at 400 degrees until hot and bubbly and the cheese starts to melt.
Garnish with fresh parsley or basil and enjoy!!
Source: VeryVeganRecipes