Eggplant Parmesan is a dish typically prepared in a skillet with tomato sauce, cheese, and breadcrumbs. However, it can be easily made in the oven as well. There are different ways you can serve the dish, and today, we will see the various things you can serve with eggplant parmesan.
How to Make a Perfectly Crispy Eggplant Parmesan?
This is the perfect recipe for you if you are looking for a new way to cook eggplant. The taste is delicious and is simple to prepare. Eggplant parmesan is one of the favorite dishes that you can make in the oven or on the grill.
This dish also has many vegetables, making it great for your health! The eggplant parmesan recipe below is perfect for any occasion because it’s simple to make and delicious, too!
Ingredients:
- 1/2 large eggplant
- 1/4 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tablespoons Parmesan cheese
- 3 tablespoons minced parsley leaves
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh basil leaves
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano leaves
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 6 cloves garlic, finely minced
- 2 tablespoons finely grated lemon zest
- 3 eggs, lightly beaten
- 3/8 cup whole wheat flour
- 1/4 cup Italian-blended dried breadcrumbs
Procedure:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Cut the top off the eggplant and remove any soft flesh.
- Rub the eggplant with oil, salt, and pepper and place it on a baking sheet.
- Roast the eggplant in the oven until lightly browned and softened, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
- Cut the eggplant into thin slices lengthwise after cooling for about 10 minutes.
- Place breadcrumbs, garlic, lemon zest, basil leaves, parsley, oregano leaves, salt, and pepper in a bowl. Stir to combine and make a paste by adding enough olive oil.
- Coat the eggplant slices with the bread crumb mixture and place them on a baking sheet. Chill for 20 minutes before dipping into the beaten eggs and then dipping back into the flour so they are completely coated.
- Arrange the coated eggplant slices on a baking sheet, reserving the remaining breadcrumbs.
- Repeat with the rest of the eggplant slices.
- Cook until you notice the golden brown color, turning occasionally.
Different Ways to Make the Most of Your Eggplant Parmesan—and Keep Them Exciting
Eggplant parmesan is a dish that can be made in various ways. The traditional cooking method is to slice the eggplant and fry it in olive oil, add tomato sauce and mozzarella cheese, and add breadcrumbs and basil. This recipe is excellent for those who want a healthier version of the classic dish.
Another way to make eggplant parmesan is to use ground beef instead of breadcrumbs, which gives it more of an Italian flavor.
Cooking Vegetables with Eggplant Parmesan Dish
Cooking vegetables with eggplant parmesan dish is not as complicated as you might think. In fact, it is quite easy.
The best way to cook vegetables with an eggplant parmesan dish is to heat up the oven, pre-heat your baking sheet, and then put the vegetables on it. Then, you can cover them with a layer of parmesan cheese before putting them in the oven for about 30 minutes until they are cooked and soft enough for that perfect bite.
Which Wine is Best with Your Egg Plant Parmesan?
Wine can significantly impact the flavor of your dish, so it is essential to learn about the right kind of wine suitable for the dish. This section will discuss some wines that go best with eggplant parmesan dishes.
White Wine – A white wine that goes well with eggplant parmesan dishes, in general, is a Pinot Gris or a Chenin Blanc. A Pinot Gris is ideal because it has a light, crisp taste that pairs well with eggplant and parmesan cheese. A Chenin Blanc also has a light and crispy taste but is slightly more aromatic. However, they can be quite like each other regarding flavor profiles. Spicy foods may also pair well with a Sauvignon Blanc.
Sparkling White Wine – A champagne or sparkling white wine such as a Prosecco also pairs well with eggplant parmesan dishes and is especially good with the eggplant. They have a light and crisp taste that is slightly sweet and can flow well with the parmesan cheese flavor.
Red Wine – A Shiraz or Cabernet Sauvignon also pairs well with eggplant parmesan dishes. Still, they do not work as well as some other wine choices mentioned so far. The red wine can have a slightly richer taste that may be too strong for the eggplant and the parmesan cheese.
Additional Dishes that Go Well with Eggplant Parmesan
Eggplant Parmesan is a favorite dish of many people. It’s a rich, comforting meal that can be easily made at home. However, some dishes go well with it that you may not know about. This section discusses the best dishes to serve with eggplant parmesan and why they’re good matches for this Italian dish.
Baked Ziti: To really let the eggplant shine through, this dish is an excellent choice for those who want to enjoy their meal with an indulgent side. The light, cheesy pasta perfectly contrasts the eggplant filling and sauce.
Garden Pasta Salad: This dish offers a unique way to enjoy vegetables. This dish’s medium-hot vegetables and accompanying flavors offer a new take on the classic Italian salad. The garden pasta salad is an optimal match with eggplant because it is a fresh and light choice that can be served as a starter or side.
Fettuccine Alfredo: This iconic creamy white sauce goes well with eggplant because it is a rich and decadent dish. The sauce’s milk, cheese, and butter mixture perfectly contrast the light vegetables offered here.
Grilled Salmon: This fish is an optimal match with eggplant because of its rich meaty flavor that goes well with this dish’s sauce and vegetables. Both are light dishes that can be served as a side or main course.
Conclusion
Given the different variants available that you can serve with eggplant parmesan, picking or preparing the dish depends on the occasion and the people joining it! You have all recipes detailed here, which you can prepare with ease. So, ensure you add a suitable variety as the side dish and some wine to make it a perfect dining table setting!
