Healthy Baked Aubergine Stacks, a delicious appetizer that is bursting with fantastic flavours. A lot lighter than the classic aubergine parmigiana, but as yummy.
While I do agree that frying does make anything taste nicer, baking is not only healthier, but, done properly, can be as delicious.
Aubergines tend to suck up oil like a sponge, and this is one reason I'm so against the idea of frying them. They will be too greasy for my taste, so, why not enjoy them baked?
This traditional Italian dish is absolutely beautiful. Melanzane alla parmigiana, what's called in Italian, is incredibly satisfying for a vegetarian dish. Whoever said that vegetables are boring, clearly didn't try this aubergine parmesan.
Jam-packed with rich flavours, it's fancy enough to be served on a special occasion as an appetizer, or even as a side with your favourite roast.
How to make aubergine stacks
It might not take less time to cook, but it's definitely healthier.
- slice the aubergines keeping the skin on
- lightly season with salt and pepper, and brush with olive oil
- bake in the preheated oven at 200 degrees Celsius (390 Fahrenheit) for about 20 minutes or until golden and tender
Now, because the aubergine slices are baked without a flour coating, there is no reason not to bake them straight away. You would normally have to add some salt to the aubergines, and leave the slices around for a while so they can release some of the liquid.
- Once the slices are baked, spread a thin layer of tomato sauce over the bottom of a baking dish, then arrange one layer of aubergine slices.
- Top with plenty of grated parmesan and tomato sauce, then add another layer of aubergine slices and so on, until you finish them up.
- Bake for about 20 minutes, or until the cheese is fully melted.
I had 6 stacks of 4 aubergine slices each, so depending on how thick you slice the aubergines up, you should get about the same number of stacks.
Best sauce for the stacks
I didn't go for a specific sauce for this recipe, I had some leftover tomato and basil sauce, and that was absolutely perfect. So just go for your favourite sauce, and add some Italian herbs to it, if it's plain, otherwise you are good to go.
As for cheese, obviously parmesan is the star of the show, but you can mix it with any other hard cheese of your choice, for an extra cheesy goodness. The aubergine parmesan is beautifully tender, and it simply melts in your mouth.
More aubergine recipes
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Aubergine Stacks
Ingredients
- 3 aubergines (eggplant)
- 1 cup grated parmesan cheese
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1 cup tomato sauce
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon fresh parsley or basil
Instructions
- Preheat the oven at 200 degrees Celsius (390 Fahreneheit).
- Slice the aubergines, and spread them over 2 baking trays.
- Season lightly with salt and pepper, and brush some olive oil over.
- Bake for 20 minutes or until golden and tender.
- Spread a thin layer of tomato sauce over the bottom of a baking dish, arrange one layer of aubergine slices, top with tomato sauce and parmesan, then another layer of aubergine slices until you finish them all up.
- Make sure you end with tomato sauce and cheese on top.
- Bake for a further 20 minutes until the aubergine stacks are tender, and the cheese is melted.
- Garnish with fresh parsley or basil.
Cree
Lovely! Though as Parmesan is not veggie friendly, I substitute with hard cheese. Buon appetito!