The Aussie Gourmet: Eggplant Boats

In The K tchen Eggplant Parmesan Boats

By Naomi Nachman

My daughter, Leora, loves eggplant parmesan. However, it can be time-consuming to bread and fry/bake all the eggplants (also very caloric!). This recipe is quick and easy to make to satisfy your appetite for eggplant parmesan. As a bonus, it’s also fat-free and gluten-free!

Ingredients

b4 medium eggplants bKosher salt bExtra virgin olive oil b2 cups marinara sauce b8 oz. shredded cheese bBasil or Italian pizza seasoning

Preparation

1. Prepare the eggplant: Preheat oven to 400°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper. 2. Slice eggplants in half lengthwise; score cut sides in a crosshatch pattern. Place the eggplant halves, cut sides up, on prepared baking sheet. Sprinkle eggplant with kosher salt and olive oil.

Bake for 40 minutes or until browned. 3. When you remove the eggplants from the oven rest the pan on the counter and press the flesh down with a spoon. 4. Pour desired amount of marinara sauce on the eggplant and sprinkle with cheese and spices. 5. Place eggplants back in the oven and bake for another 20 minutes until cheese melts. Serve warm. Cook’s note: I sometimes add some assorted cheeses too on top of the mozzarella such as feta and parmesan.

Naomi Nachman, the owner of The Aussie Gourmet, caters weekly and Shabbat/ Yom Tov meals for families and individuals within The Five Towns and neighboring communities, with a specialty in Pesach catering. Naomi is a contributing editor to this paper and also produces and hosts her own weekly radio show on the Nachum Segal Network stream called “A Table for Two with Naomi Nachman.” Naomi gives cooking presentations for organizations and private groups throughout the New York/New Jersey Metropolitan area. In addition, Naomi has been a guest host on the QVC TV network and has been featured in cookbooks, magazines as well as other media covering topics related to cuisine preparation and personal chefs. To obtain additional recipes, join The Aussie Gourmet on Facebook or visit Naomi’s blog. Naomi can be reached through her website, www.theaussiegourmet.com or at (516) 295-9669.