{"id":"parmigiana_di_melanzane_680fbb226c","slug":"parmigiana-di-melanzane","title":"Parmigiana di Melanzane","description":"A classic Italian comfort food masterpiece featuring layers of tender fried eggplant, a simple aromatic tomato sauce, fresh basil, and melted mozzarella and parmesan cheese.","serves":6,"time":{"prepMinutes":45,"cookMinutes":45,"totalMinutes":90,"activeMinutes":60},"ingredients":[{"id":"ingredient-1","original":"3 large eggplants","name":"Eggplant","quantity":3,"unit":"piece","usQuantity":3,"usUnit":"piece","form":"sliced","notes":"large","group":"Vegetables","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-2","original":"500ml tomato passata","name":"Tomato Passata","quantity":500,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":"2 1/4","usUnit":"cup","form":"passata","notes":"","group":"Sauce","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-3","original":"2 cloves garlic","name":"Garlic","quantity":2,"unit":"clove","usQuantity":2,"usUnit":"clove","form":"minced","notes":"","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-4","original":"1 bunch fresh basil","name":"Basil","quantity":1,"unit":"bunch","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"bunch","form":"leaves","notes":"fresh","group":"Aromatics","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-5","original":"300g mozzarella cheese","name":"Mozzarella Cheese","quantity":300,"unit":"g","usQuantity":10.6,"usUnit":"oz","form":"shredded or sliced","notes":"low moisture works best","group":"Dairy","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-6","original":"100g grated parmesan cheese","name":"Parmesan Cheese","quantity":100,"unit":"g","usQuantity":3.5,"usUnit":"oz","form":"grated","notes":"Parmigiano Reggiano preferred","group":"Dairy","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-7","original":"100g all-purpose flour","name":"All-purpose flour","quantity":100,"unit":"g","usQuantity":3.5,"usUnit":"oz","form":"powder","notes":"for dredging","group":"Pantry","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-8","original":"Vegetable oil for frying","name":"Vegetable Oil","quantity":250,"unit":"ml","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"cup","form":"liquid","notes":"neutral oil like sunflower or canola","group":"Pantry","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-9","original":"Salt to taste","name":"Salt","quantity":1,"unit":"pinch","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"pinch","form":"granules","notes":"extra needed for purging eggplants","group":"Seasoning","optional":false},{"id":"ingredient-10","original":"Black pepper to taste","name":"Black Pepper","quantity":1,"unit":"pinch","usQuantity":1,"usUnit":"pinch","form":"ground","notes":"","group":"Seasoning","optional":false}],"instructions":[{"id":"instruction-1","text":"Slice the eggplants into rounds about 1 cm (0.4 in) thick. Place them in a colander, sprinkling each layer with salt. Let them sit for 30-60 minutes to draw out excess moisture and bitterness.","group":"Preparation","title":"Slice the eggplants","timerMinutes":30,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-2","text":"While the eggplant rests, prepare the sauce. In a saucepan, sauté minced garlic in a little oil until fragrant. Add the tomato passata, half of the basil leaves, salt, and pepper. Simmer on low heat for 15-20 minutes.","group":"Cooking","title":"Prepare the sauce","timerMinutes":20,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-3","text":"Rinse the eggplant slices under cold water and pat them thoroughly dry with paper towels. Dredge each slice in flour, shaking off the excess.","group":"Preparation","title":"Rinse the eggplant slices under cold water and pat them thoroughly dry","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Preparation"},{"id":"instruction-4","text":"Heat vegetable oil in a large skillet. Fry the eggplant slices in batches until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels.","group":"Cooking","title":"Heat vegetable oil","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"},{"id":"instruction-5","text":"Preheat your oven to 180°C (356°F). In a baking dish, spread a thin layer of tomato sauce. Arrange a layer of eggplant slices, followed by more sauce, a sprinkle of parmesan, some mozzarella, and a few torn basil leaves. Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with a generous layer of mozzarella and parmesan.","group":"Assembly","title":"Preheat your oven","timerMinutes":null,"sourceTitle":"Assembly"},{"id":"instruction-6","text":"Bake in the preheated oven at 180°C (356°F) for 30-35 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and golden. Let rest for 15 minutes before serving.","group":"Cooking","title":"Bake in the preheated oven","timerMinutes":30,"sourceTitle":"Cooking"}],"notes":"For a lighter version, you can grill the eggplant instead of frying it, though frying is the traditional method. Let the dish rest for at least 15 minutes after baking to allow the layers to set.","cuisine":{"group":"Italian","specific":["Italian"]},"course":["main"],"cookingMethod":["bake","fry","simmer"],"equipment":["Colander","Large skillet","Baking dish","Saucepan","Paper towels"],"diet":["vegetarian"],"allergens":["wheat","gluten","milk"],"difficulty":"medium","yield":{"amount":1,"unit":"tray","note":"Standard 9x13 inch baking dish"},"makeAhead":{"instructions":"The entire dish can be assembled a day in advance and kept in the fridge. Bake directly from the fridge, adding 10-15 minutes to the cooking time."},"storage":{"food":{"instructions":"Store leftovers in an airtight container. It tastes even better the next day.","reheatingNotes":"Reheat in the oven at 150°C (302°F) to maintain texture."}},"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fparmigiana_di_melanzane_680fbb226c%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=88288a61-ab10-4948-a983-b5e479579cc1","imageAlt":"Parmigiana di Melanzane — recipe cover","aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","sourceUrl":"","tags":["eggplant","parmesan","cheese","italian","casserole","vegetarian"],"schemaVersion":1,"sourceTitle":"Parmigiana di Melanzane","sourcePublishedAt":"2026-02-04T07:57:52.995Z","sourceUpdatedAt":"2026-02-04T07:57:52.995Z","related":[{"id":"pane_e_marmellata_43c0347c11","slug":"bread-and-jam-pane-e-marmellata","title":"Bread and Jam (Pane e Marmellata)","description":"A classic Italian breakfast staple consisting of toasted rustic bread spread with creamy butter and sweet fruit preserves.","serves":1,"time":{"prepMinutes":2,"cookMinutes":3,"totalMinutes":5,"activeMinutes":5},"cuisine":{"group":"Italian","specific":["Italian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["vegetarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Fpane_e_marmellata_43c0347c11%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=efcb1e5f-c2b8-42ca-b731-88339442711d","imageAlt":"Bread and Jam (Pane e Marmellata) — recipe cover","tags":["breakfast","italian","quick","easy","vegetarian","jam","toast"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":3,"stepCount":3},{"id":"tramezzino_15edd4f558","slug":"classic-venetian-tramezzino","title":"Classic Venetian Tramezzino","description":"A soft, crustless triangular sandwich from Venice, famously bulging with a creamy tuna and caper filling. Perfect for a quick snack or an elegant party appetizer.","serves":2,"time":{"prepMinutes":15,"cookMinutes":0,"totalMinutes":15,"activeMinutes":15},"cuisine":{"group":"Italian","specific":["Venetian"]},"course":["appetizer","main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["pescatarian"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Ftramezzino_15edd4f558%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=14cd5582-7e6b-462b-87bf-bab1e0e157fc","imageAlt":"Classic Venetian Tramezzino — recipe cover","tags":["italian","sandwich","tuna","venice","easy","no-cook","party-food"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":6,"stepCount":4},{"id":"orecchiette_alle_cime_di_rapa_fce72e0854","slug":"orecchiette-with-broccoli-rabe","title":"Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe","description":"A classic Apulian pasta dish featuring ear-shaped orecchiette, bitter broccoli rabe, garlic, chili, and anchovies for a savory, rustic finish.","serves":4,"time":{"prepMinutes":10,"cookMinutes":20,"totalMinutes":30,"activeMinutes":20},"cuisine":{"group":"Italian","specific":["Apulian"]},"course":["main"],"difficulty":"easy","diet":["pescatarian","low_fat","high_protein"],"image":"https://firebasestorage.googleapis.com/v0/b/ezdish-prod.firebasestorage.app/o/public_recipes%2Forecchiette_alle_cime_di_rapa_fce72e0854%2Fcover.jpg?alt=media&token=3ca85815-37a0-40ac-a20c-fe612450854a","imageAlt":"Orecchiette with Broccoli Rabe — recipe cover","tags":["pasta","healthy","broccoli rabe","italian","traditional","puglia"],"aiGenerated":true,"publishedAt":"2026-10-10","updatedAt":"2026-10-11","ingredientCount":7,"stepCount":6}]}