Donal's aubergine parmigiana is so easy to make and tastes wonderful. It's simpler than a lasagne and lighter, too. The tomato sauce can be doubled and frozen for another easy dinner.
Ingreadient
- 2 large aubergines, sliced into thin slices about a 5mm/¼in thick
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 100g/3½oz ricotta
- 100g/3½oz Parmesan, grated (or alternative vegetarian hard cheese)
- 100g/3½oz mozzarella, sliced
- sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 1 red onion, finely chopped
- a good splash olive oil
- 2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes
- 2 tsp dried oregano
- 125ml/4fl oz red wine
Direction
- Brush the aubergine slices with olive oil on both sides to coat. Heat a griddle pan and cook the aubergines for a couple of minutes on both sides until lightly browned. Set aside while you get on with the tomato sauce.
- Heat a large frying pan. Fry the garlic and onion with a little oil until soft. Add the chopped tomatoes, oregano and wine. Simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.
- Preheat the oven to 220C/200C Fan/Gas 7.
- In a medium-sized roasting tin, spread a little tomato sauce over the bottom of the tin. Add a layer of aubergine slices and spread another layer of tomato sauce on top.
- Spread half the ricotta on the top and sprinkle with Parmesan, salt and pepper. Continue to repeat the layers until all the aubergine is used. Finish with a layer of mozzarella slices topped with a final sprinkle of Parmesan. Bake for 25 minutes.
- Serve the parmigiana hot with a green salad alongside. This dish reheats well if you have any leftovers.
