Stuffed Aubergine Parmigiana

Adding elegance to a classic.

Aubergine parmigiana recipe wish to dish

Aubergine parmigiana recipe wish to dish (2)

Aubergine parmigiana recipe wish to dish (3)

In England we can generally expect our summer to consist of one week of heat in May where our sun burn lasts longer than the sun itself. This year however we have been well and truly spoilt by a four month heatwave; beautiful lustrous days followed by balmy nights sipping Aperol spritz and eating endless caprese salads. Sadly there has finally been a break in the weather and the classic English wind and rain has returned.

I am not entirely upset by this however as with such grotty weather comes the cravings for warming cheesy comfort foods – enter aubergine parmigiana. Traditionally made by layering up pan fried aubergine with tomato sauce and mozzarella, I have altered the method to create a slightly more refined version of the dish. The aubergine is roasted low and slow to break down the fibers and produce a creamy and tender texture, toss this in a rich tomato sauce and then fill it back into the aubergine skin. Sprinkle with breadcrumbs and cheese and dig in.

Aubergine parmigiana recipe wish to dish (15)

Aubergine parmigiana recipe wish to dish (8)

Aubergine parmigiana recipe wish to dish (14)

Aubergine parmigiana recipe wish to dish (9)

Serves 1 – 2 (you could serve one half or one whole aubergine depending on hunger levels)

Prep time: 10 minutes 

Cooking time: 1 hour

Ingredients

  • 1 aubergine
  • 4 tbsp olive oil
  • sea salt
  • black pepper
  • 1 onion, finely chopped
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced
  • 400 g tinned tomatoes
  • 2 tsp dried oregano
  • 1 tsp dried thyme
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 1 tbsp tomato puree
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 100 g mozzarella
  • 50 g dried breadcrumbs
  • basil leaves

Method

  1. Preheat the oven to 150 degrees (fan)/ 170 degrees in a standard electric oven.
  2. Slice the aubergine in half length ways and score a criss cross design into the flesh (see the above photo). Drizzle 2 tbsp of the olive oil over the flesh of the aubergine. Sprinkle generously with sea salt and roast in the oven for 40 minutes or until soft.
  3. Meanwhile heat the remaining 2 tbsp of olive oil in a pan over a medium high heat. Add the onion and garlic and fry for 5 minutes until soft. Add the tomatoes and then fill the tin with water and add to the pan as well. Add the tomato puree, thyme, oregano, bay leaf and sugar. Season with salt and pepper to taste. I like to use a lot of salt to richen the flavour of the tomatoes. Bring to the boil and then simmer for 30 minutes until the sauce is thick.
  4. Remove the aubergine from the oven once the flesh has softened. Turn the grill on to 240 degrees.
  5. Use a spoon or sharp knife to remove the soft flesh from the aubergine. Take care not to pierce the skin however as this is used as the “dish”. Stir the aubergine flesh into the tomato sauce and then carefully spoon it into the aubergine skin. Top with torn mozarella and bread crumbs. Place under the grill for 3 – 4 minutes.
  6. Remove from the grill and sprinkle over a few basil leaves. Enjoy!

Thank you so much for reading this post, I hope that you enjoyed it! Please let me know what you think in the comments as I love hearing from you and do not forget to follow me on Instagram, Facebook and and Pinterest (my username is wishtodish) plus subscribe on here to see more recipes and foodie musings from me.

19 thoughts on “Stuffed Aubergine Parmigiana”

  7. helentastic67 says:
    Reply

    Oh, I don’t know. And I’m well over-due making Nona-style eggplant parmagania. I still like to do the old fashioned way. The salting or the eggplant. The stacking in a bowl with the plate & preasure on top to get rid of the bitter taste. Ok, the washing, drying and tea-towels to wash. (Yeah, I know those tricks) and the hours of egg,breadcrumbs and frying. Right! Now, I know I’m definately due…..Cheers,H

    Liked by 2 people

  12. susie657 says:
    Reply

    Love this recipe. I will try it out. I have a very simple version. Aubergines prepped similarly but steamed. Simple sauce of fresh or tinned tomatoes, onions (garlic optional) with a little thyme, salt, pepper and sugar. Spoon on top of softened aubergines in an oven proof dish.. sprinkle over split almonds with a tiny bit more sugar. Drizzle with oil…rape seed. Bake if prepared earlier or grill if immediate service. Just watch the almonds for burning. Very quick and a little more economical on the fuel side! But I want to try yours… thank you.

    Liked by 1 person

  13. Claudia Leon says:
    Reply

    Thanks for coming by and visiting my kitchen! Much appreciated indeed. I just read your beautiful aubergine recipe. Very tempting even though I’m not a huge aubergine fan. I might just try it … 😎 Cheers from Cognac!

    Liked by 1 person

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