Tuscan Eggplant Lasagna Recipe

 So, here it is just as I promised, my recipe for....

 Tuscan Eggplant Lasagna

by

"Mama JP" 

 

 Ingredients for the Sauce

2 cans of plum tomatoes

1 medium eggplant cut into cubes

2 sliced onions

4 tbsp. freshly chopped garlic

1 handful of fresh basil torn into pieces

 8 tbsp. sauteing olive oil for the onions and eggplant

1 tsp. grated nutmeg 

1tsp. baking soda

2 tbsp. white sugar

1 tbsp. butter

salt and pepper to taste

 Ingredients for Layering Lasagna

1 lb. mini penne pasta cooked to al dente

Your freshly made Tuscan sauce

Diced, fresh mozzarella and freshly grated asiago or 

pecorino /romano cheeses 

 

1 ladle full of cooked pasta water

The Cooking Process

You'll need 2 pots~one for the sauce and one to cook the pasta in,

 one large saute pan to cook the onions and then eggplant in and one medium baking dish.

1- Start by sauteing your sliced onions in about 3 tbsp. of olive oil over medium heat. Add more oil and lower heat if neccessary. Cook until tender.

2- Heat your sauce pot and add 1 tbsp. olive oil, add  the chopped garlic. Lightly brown then quickly add the sauteed onions, 2 cans of tomatoes and remaining ingredients.

 

3- Using your saute pan, add the remaining oil and brown the eggplant until tender but not over cooked. Add more oil as necessary. Remove from the oil and set aside.

4-Fill your other pot with water, add salt and 1 tbsp. of oil. When water boils add the pasta and cook 'til al dente.

5- Drain pasta (saving one ladle of the water in a small bowl)

6- Return pasta to pot, add the water and coat with a bit of the sauce and set aside...do not continue cooking.

7- Pre-heat oven to 350

Layering the Lasagna

1- Coat the bottom of your baking dish with some of your sauce.

2- Add a layer of pasta and coat with some sauce.

3- Add some eggplant and the two cheeses.

4- REPEAT the above with an additional one or two layers.

Note: You should have enough sauce remaining to serve on the side.

5- Bake @ 350 for 25 to 30 minutes

6- Let it cool and then

 "Mangia!"

Enjoy and be sure to let me know how it was!!!

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