Lighter Eggplant Gratin Recipes

EGGPLANT GRATIN

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F.
• Heat about 1/8-inch of olive oil in a very large frying pan over medium heat. When the oil is almost smoking, add several slices of eggplant and cook, turning once, until they are evenly browned on both sides and cooked through, about 5 minutes. Be careful, it splatters! Transfer the cooked eggplant slices to paper towels to drain. Add more oil, heat, and add more eggplant until all the slices are cooked.
• Meanwhile, in a small bowl, mix together the ricotta, egg, half-and-half, 1/4 cup of the Parmesan, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and 1/8 teaspoon pepper.
• In each of 2 individual gratin dishes, place a layer of eggplant slices, then sprinkle with Parmesan, salt and pepper and spoon 1/2 of the marinara sauce. Next, add a second layer of eggplant, more salt and pepper, half the ricotta mixture, and finally 1 tablespoon of grated Parmesan on top.
• Place the gratins on a baking sheet and bake for 25 to 30 minutes or until the custard sets and the top is browned. Serve warm.

EGGPLANT AND TOMATO GRATIN

Steps:

• Coat a baking sheet with cooking spray.
• Place eggplant slices in a single layer of the baking sheet.
• Coat slices with cooking spray; sprinkle with salt.
• Bake in a 375° oven for 16 minutes, turning eggplant after 8 minutes.
• In a small bowl, mix together the cheese, oregano, pepper, and garlic.
• Arrange half the eggplant slices in an 8x8 square baking dish that has been coated with cooking spray.
• Place half the tomato slices over the eggplant.
• Top with half the zucchini slices; sprinkle with half the cheese mixture.
• Repeat layers; bake, covered, at 375° for 1 hour.
• Uncover and bake 10 more minutes or until vegetables are tender and cheese is golden.