The annual event at our local grocery store is the Can-Can sale. I take advantage every year and get (just about) a year's supply of canned goods. Stocked up on cans of crushed tomatoes (I was down to my last can), stock, coffee, soups, soda, mushrooms, assorted veggies, and tomato paste.
Got home, got the can goods unloaded and put away. HMMMM, what to do about dinner???
Got it (finger snap)! Something that I have not made in quite some time. Something that is, perhaps, one the best things I make. Something rich and filling!
Started by making my own sauce. Sautéed some onion, garlic, and red peppers until soft. Added 3 cans of crushed tomatoes. Then added a palm ful of dried basil, a shot of fennel seed, and then 4 teaspoons of sugar. Let that cook for 3 hours then added 2 cans of tomato paste. Continued to simmer until thick and yummy!
Now for the main dish... EGGPLANT PARM!!!!!
I peel them (only a neanderthal would make eggplant parm with the skins on) and then made thin slices. I then layered each slice between paper towels to get rid of as much moisture as possible. I let that sit for about an hour.
Then it was flour/egg/breadcrumbs for each slice and fried until golden brown. They were drained on a wood board. Was pleasantly surprised that frying up all of that eggplant took only 90 minutes.
I then assembled the dish in layers (like a lasagna). Each slice got a spoon of sauce and a thin slice of motz cheese. Every 3 layers got a dusting of garlic powder, parm cheese, pepper, dried basil, and a touch of red pepper flakes. When I reached the top, I spooned a nice bit of the sauce, and more motz. I then baked it at 325 for 90 minutes, then let it sit for 20 minutes to rest.
So, in the end it was...
3 cans of crushed tomatoes,
2 cans of tomato paste,
4 cloves garlic,
1 medium onion,
1 small red bell pepper,
4 teaspoons sugar
1 tablespoon fennel seed
3 tablespoons dried basil
then:
3 large eggplants
2 pounds of motz cheese,
10 eggs,
2 pounds of bread crumbs,
some flour,
and most importantly..
1 bottle of my 2014 Montepulciano (for the chef).
Words can not describe just how delicious this turned out. It was firm and packed with flavor! How can anyone ever want sauce from a jar?? The wine choice was ideal, full bodied and really shown through the richness of the eggplant.
AND YES, I TOOK SOME PHOTOS THIS TIME!!!!