Mediterranean Eggplant (Aubergine) Casserole
"This eggplant dish is from the "1 of a Kind" cookbook of the Junior League of Mobile, AL. I have not made this yet, but I did modify the recipe & add 2 ingredients I thot were a must to make this a classic dish. Altho the ingredient list appears lengthy, 7 are of the spice variety & the rest are common ingredients w/an easy prep. My best advice is strongly resist any temptation to leave out the cinnamon. Enjoy!"
photo by threeovens
- Ready In:
- 1hr 30mins
- Ingredients:
- 18
- Serves:
-
8
ingredients
- 3 medium eggplants (unpeeled & sliced in 1/4 in thick slices)
- 3⁄4 cup olive oil (more as required)
- 1 cup onion (chopped)
- 1 cup celery (chopped)
- 1⁄2 cup green bell pepper (chopped)
- 1 cup fresh tomato (seeded & diced)
- 1⁄2 cup black olives (quartered or sliced)
- 1⁄2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1⁄4 teaspoon dried thyme leaves
- 1⁄4 teaspoon cumin
- 1⁄2 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1⁄2 teaspoon salt
- 1⁄4 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 3 large eggs (beaten)
- 1 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tablespoons dry parmesan cheese (powder variety)
directions
- Preheat oven to 350°F.
- Prepare onion, celery, green bell pepper, fresh tomato & black olives in stated quantity as directed & set aside.
- Slice unpeeled eggplant into 1/4" thick slices. Put olive oil in a saute pan & cook eggplant slices (in batches) till just slightly tender. Remove from pan & set aside.
- In the same pan, add onion, celery & bell pepper. Saute till crisp-tender.
- Remove from heat & stir in chopped tomato, black olives, herbs & spices.
- Place 1/3 of eggplant slices in a 9x13" baking dish. Top with 1/3 of veggie/spice mixture & repeat layering 2 more times. Bake 15 minutes.
- While casserole is baking, beat eggs & set aside. In a separate bowl, combine breadcrumbs, 2 tbsp olive oil & Parmesan cheese. Mix well & set aside.
- At 15 minutes, remove casserole from oven. Drizzle beaten eggs over surface, let them seep into the veggie mixture & move veggies around gently using a fork to aid this process as required.
- Sprinkle breadcrumb, olive oil & Parmesan cheese mixture evenly over surface & return to oven for 15 min or till breadcrumbs are golden brown. Serve immediately.
- NOTE: While the recipe did not suggest this, IMO this dish is capable of being expanded to a 1-dish meal w/the addition of your cooked grd meat of choice &/or crumbled feta cheese as another option.
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Reviews
-
This was fantastic. I thought it made a delicious and complete lunch in and of itself. -
This is very tasty I did add a pound of ground beef mixed with 8 ounces of tomato sauce and added garlic powder I would make again very filling thank you for your recipe -
There is layer upon layer of flavor in this casserole. Each and severally they burst upon one's tastebuds. The very varying textures add to the experience. Exquisite. Thanks, twissis. -
I loved the ingredients in this recipe and it didn't disapoint me! Yummy! Thanks! Made for Photo tag.
RECIPE SUBMITTED BY
twissis
Iceland
I am an American transplanted from Dallas to Iceland by marriage to a native Icelander & I retired to become his "Kitchen Queen". We love to entertain our family & friends, so I have an eclectic collection of recipes. I especially love simple, easy-fix, flexible & make-ahead recipes - BUT also like challenging myself on occasion. I enjoy baking & food photography. I am devoted to the "More is Always Better Principle" & apply it liberally to bacon, butter & garlic. I can have ingredient issues due to availability here in Iceland & my DH is medically diet-restricted from some ingredients as well. Either situation might require me to modify a recipe, but I will do my best to be true to your recipes & fair/honest in my reviews. Mary Pat (aka twissis)
