Preparation Time: 20 min.
Oven Mode: True Convection/ 350°F
Rack Position: 3 (third from bottom)
Total Cooking Time: 35 to 40 min.
Servings: 8
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1/3 cup olive oil
½ cup plain dry bread crumbs
1 tsp. crushed dried oregano
1 tsp. crushed dried basil
1 tsp. salt
½ tsp. black pepper
1 medium (1-1 ¼ pounds) eggplant
Tomato Sauce:
1 can (28 oz.) crushed tomatoes in puree (3 ½ cups)
¼ cup red wine vinegar
2 tsp. Sugar
Cheese Sauce:
3Tbsp. butter
3 Tbsp. flour
1 ¼ cup milk
¼ cup shredded Parmesan cheese
1/8 tsp. ground nutmeg
1. In a small bowl, stir garlic into olive oil; set aside. In a pie plate, mix bread crumbs with oregano and basil, set aside.
2. Combine crushed tomatoes, vinegar, sugar, salt and pepper in a medium bowl. Reserve one cup sauce; set aside. Spread remaining sauce in baking dish.
3. Peel eggplant and slice into ½-inch thick rounds. Brush all surfaces of each slice with garlic and oil, and dip into bread crumbs mixture.
4. Arrange slices in a single layer over tomato sauce in the baking dish, overlapping slices, if necessary, to fit. Sprinkle any remaining crumbs over eggplant. Bake in preheated oven for 25 minutes.
5. To prepare cheese sauce; melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat and stir in flour. Cook for 1 to 2 minutes, stirring until blended. Remove from the heat and add milk, stirring constantly. Cook until thickened; blend in Parmesan cheese and nutmeg.
6. Continue to cook sauce, stirring constantly, until cheese is melted and sauce is thick and smooth. Remove baking dish from oven; spoon cheese sauce onto each eggplant slice.
Return to oven and continue to cook until lightly browned and eggplant is tender, 10 to 15 minutes. Heat reserved tomato sauce and drizzle over eggplant or serve separately.
For traditional (non-convection) baking:
Preheat oven using the Bake Mode at 375°f. Bake for 35 to 40 minutes.
1 SERVING: Calories 245 (56% from fat), Protein 6 g, Carbohydrates 22 g, Dietary Fiber 4 g, Fat Total 16 g, Saturated Fat 5 g, Vitamin C 10 mg, Sodium 563 mg
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