Friday, February 21, 2014

Eggplant Lasagna

 
1 each large green bell pepper, red bell pepper

4 tbsp. extra-virgin olive oil

3/4 tsp. each dried thyme, oregano leaves

to taste: salt, ground pepper

3 medium (1 lb. each) eggplants, cut lengthwise
into 1/3"-thick slices

1 medium onion, chopped

5 cloves garlic, chopped, divided

5 cups (about 36 oz.) store-bought marinara sauce

16 oz. skim ricotta

1-1/3 oz. grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley leaves

8 oz. part-skim mozzarella, shredded
Heat broiler. 
 
 Roast peppers on a baking sheet, turning occasionally, until blackened, 10 - 15 minutes. 
 
Transfer to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap for 10 minutes
to steam and loosen skin. 
 
 Scrape blackened skin from peppers, then seed. 
 
 Slice into 2x1/4" strips and set aside. 
 
 Meanwhile, reduce oven heat to 350ºF (175ºC). 
 
 In a small bowl, combine 3 tbsp. olive oil with thyme, oregano,
and 1/2 tsp. each salt and pepper. 
 
 Brush both sides of eggplant slices with oil mixture and
place in single layers on 3 baking sheets. 
 
 Bake, in batches, if necessary, until lightly browned and
 cooked through, 20 - 25 minutes per batch. 
 
 In a medium nonstick skillet over medium heat, cook onion
 and 4 cloves garlic with remaining oil until golden,
about 8 minutes. 
 
 Add marinara sauce, reduce heat to medium-low, and
simmer 20 minutes. 
 
 Meanwhile, in a medium bowl, mix ricotta,
 Parmigiano - Reggiano, remaining garlic, and parsley. 
 
 Season with salt and pepper.
 
  Spread about 1-1/4 cups marinara sauce in the bottom
of a 9x13" baking dish before assembling 3 layers. 
 
 First layer: 
 
 Place 1/3 of eggplant slices over sauce.
 
  Dollop 1/3 ricotta mixture over eggplant, then sprinkle
 on 1/3 mozzarella. 
 
 Drizzle with 1-1/4 cups sauce; add 1/2 peppers. 
 
 Repeat process, layering on eggplant, ricotta, mozzarella, sauce, and peppers.  For third layer: 
 
 Add remaining eggplant, ricotta, marinara sauce and mozzarella. 
 
 Bake lasagna until sauce is bubbling and mozzarella is
melted and beginning to brown, 40 - 45 minutes.
 
  Makes 6 servings

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