Warning: preg_match(): Compilation failed: invalid range in character class at offset 4 in /home/customer/www/dinnerinvenice.com/public_html/wp-content/plugins/hover-pin-it/lib/simple_html_dom.php on line 1110
Warning: preg_match_all(): Compilation failed: invalid range in character class at offset 4 in /home/customer/www/dinnerinvenice.com/public_html/wp-content/plugins/hover-pin-it/lib/simple_html_dom.php on line 618
Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /home/customer/www/dinnerinvenice.com/public_html/wp-content/plugins/hover-pin-it/lib/simple_html_dom.php on line 625
Warning: preg_match_all(): Compilation failed: invalid range in character class at offset 4 in /home/customer/www/dinnerinvenice.com/public_html/wp-content/plugins/hover-pin-it/lib/simple_html_dom.php on line 618
Warning: Invalid argument supplied for foreach() in /home/customer/www/dinnerinvenice.com/public_html/wp-content/plugins/hover-pin-it/lib/simple_html_dom.php on line 625
Ingredients
- A little over 1 lb freshly made lasagnas OR just under1 lb dry lasagna (not the pre-cooked type)
- 2 1/2 lb fresh eggplant
- 2 lb strained tomatoes
- 1 or 2 cloves garlic, peeled
- 8 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
- extra frying oil (olive or grape seed)
- 1 1/2 lb whole milk ricotta (if you find salted ricotta, mix 1 lb fresh ricotta with 1/2 lb crumbled salted)
- 1 cup grated parmigiano cheese, or to taste
- salt and pepper
- baking pan, about12 x 9 1/2 inches
Directions
Slice the eggplant into regular slices. For best results, slice vertically: when sliced in this direction, the eggplant fibers soak up less oil when fried. Cover with coarse salt (more than you think you need), and place in a colander in your sink, to sweat out their water or bitter juices (30 to 60 minutes). This is important because if they are too juicy inside, they’ll soak up oil like crazy when fried. In the meantime, heat 8 tbsp oil in a saucepan, add 1 clove garlic and the tomato, salt, and cook on low/medium heat for 10 minutes until thickened, stirring frequently with a wooden spoon. Cook the pasta according to instructions and dry the sheets on kitchen towels. After allowing the eggplant slices to “sweat” for at least 30 minutes, rinse them very well, one by one under running water, rubbing them, and then rinse again (more than you think you need). Now dry them (again… more than you think you need!) with paper towel. Heat the frying oil in a deep pan (I know it’s scary, but use a ton of oil. Like, close to 1 quart. The less oil you use, the more oil the eggplant will absorb – because the oil temperature will be more likely to drop when you drop the slices in). If you like using food thermometers, heat the oil to about 330-340F, or just do what I do: test it by dropping a tiny cube of bread or eggplant into it, and if lots and lots of tiny bubbles form around it, you are good to go. Fry the eggplant slices in batches (do not overcrowd the pan, or you’ll lower the temperature of the oil, ending up with greasy soggy slices). Oh, and I almost forgot: use tongs to put the slices in the oil, they are too heavy to be dropped in without getting splashed with hot oil. Fry on both sides until golden, and dry them on several layers of paper towel. Feel free to press the paper towel into the eggplant if you want to remove even more oil. Chop finely, setting only 4 or 5 whole slices aside. Brush a baking pan with little oil and start with a thin layer of the tomato sauce. I like to use earthenware but other materials also work, and as far as size you can go with something about 12 x 9 ½ in. Combine the rest of the sauce with the chopped fried eggplant. Alternate layers of lasagna, eggplant sauce, and ricotta, dusting each layer with little grated cheese. Decorate the top layer with the whole fried eggplant slices and extra grated cheese. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 350 F for about 30 minutes.
https://dinnerinvenice.com/2013/04/16/eggplant-ricotta-lasagna/
Looks delicious!
Now doesn’t this sound fabulous?! I’ve never tried it but I can taste it as I look at that lovely photo. I’m bookmarking this for this weekend’s Sunday dinner!
If you add some crumbled Ricotta Salata, it’s even tastier!
Tried this over the weekend—it was DElicious!
Wow, this looks amazing, I have been wanting to find a lasagna my husband would eat and he loves eggplant parm.
Sounds delicious. Very similar to the famous dish Pasta alla Norma, no? I’ve made it and substituted the ricotta with Persian Fetta, which is beautifully creamy.
yes Ambra, similar flavors. delicious!
I can understand why you would choose eggplant lasagna as a favorite. So comforting, so filling, so delicious. It’s a dish I make also, for meatless, but hearty, satisfying meals.
i made something similar a really long time ago and it was a hit. i’ll try it with your recipe next time!
This looks absolutely divine!
I want to eat a plate of this now! Looks delicious!
How do u stay so skinny- Ale? Looks amazing!
Ricotta must go on all pasta. love it.
Stunning! Really stunning. And I love classic flavors in this dish.
The pasta looks wonderful.
I want this for dinner!a
you had me at ricotta!!! gorgeous as usual!
What a beautiful idea. I will try it soon. I can’t wait to pick up some fresh eggplants out of the garden. This recipe will be the first I try. Buona Sera Bella!
Hand me a fork. I’m ready to dig in.
Would love to share a meal with you, I love your blog!
I love ricotta cheese. I don’t use cheese often, but when I do I find myself reaching for that more than any other. This looks fantastic!
I love your presentation. I am an eggplant fan and know I would like this. So would hubby. Off to buy eggplant…..well maybe tomorrow.
Delicious! I love the photo with the crispy eggplant on top
This looks amazing. Im not such a ricotta cheese fan but I do love eggplant, tomato sauce and cheese. Maybe I will try this for my Shavuos guests.
This looks gorgeous and I’m sure it tastes great too.