Inside-Out Eggplant Parmigiana

We tried this dish from the recent issue of Gourmet earlier this week. If you like Eggplant Parmigiana, then this is a good recipe for you to try. (Pepper - I've always thought that I wasn't much of an eggplant fan, but I'm definitely coming around. This was very tasty.)

Inside-Out Eggplant Parmigiana

For tomato sauce

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1 (14-oz) can whole tomatoes in juice
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/2 teaspoon sugar
• 3 tablespoons finely chopped basil

For eggplant stacks

• 2 (1-lb) eggplants
• 6 tablespoons olive oil, divided, plus additional for drizzling
• 3/4 cup plain dry bread crumbs
• 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano
• 1/2 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley
• 2 garlic cloves, minced, divided
• 6 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1/2 cup water
• 1/4 teaspoon hot red-pepper flakes
• 1/2 lb arugula, coarse stems discarded, coarsely chopped
• 1 cup packed basil leaves, coarsely chopped
• 1/2 lb. fresh mozzarella cut into 4 (1/2-inch-thick) slices

Make tomato sauce:

• Heat oil in a heavy medium saucepan over medium heat until it shimmers, then cook onion and garlic, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 6 minutes.
• Meanwhile, blend tomatoes with juice in a blender until almost smooth. Add to onion mixture in saucepan with water, sugar, and 1/4 tsp salt and simmer, partially covered, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Stir in basil and keep warm, covered.

Bake eggplant:

• Preheat oven to 450°F with rack in lowest position.
• Cut 12 (1/3-inch-thick) rounds from widest portion of eggplants. Brush both sides with 2 Tbsp oil and season with 1/2 tsp salt (total). Bake on an oiled baking sheet, turning once, until golden and tender, 20 to 30 minutes. Transfer to a plate and keep warm, covered. Leave oven on.

Make egg patties and sauté arugula:

• Stir together bread crumbs, parmesan, parsley, half of garlic, and 1/4 tsp each of salt and pepper, then stir in eggs and water.
• Heat 3 Tbsp oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat until it shimmers. Drop 4 rounded 1/3 cups of egg mixture into skillet and cook, turning once, until patties are golden brown and puffed, about 5 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain.
• Add remaining Tbsp oil to skillet and cook remaining garlic with red-pepper flakes, stirring, until garlic is golden, about 30 seconds. Add arugula and basil and stir until just wilted, then stir in 1/8 tsp salt.

Assemble stacks:

• Arrange 4 egg patties about 3 inches apart on a baking sheet. Top each with 2 Tbsp tomato sauce, 1 slice mozzarella, 1 eggplant slice, 2 more Tbsp tomato sauce, another eggplant slice, arugula mixture, and remaining eggplant. Bake until cheese melts, 5 to 10 minutes. Drizzle with additional oil and serve remaining sauce on the side.