Ingredients
- 3 medium-sized eggplants (about 4 pounds total)
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- Can vegetable spray
- 32 ounces ricotta cheese
- 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
- 1/2 cup shredded mozzarella
- 8 tablespoons grated Parmesan
- 3 tablespoons toasted pine nuts
- 20 basil leaves, chiffonaded
- Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
- 2 cups fresh tomato sauce, recipe follows
Directions
Preheat the grill pan and preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
Place a rack over a large baking sheet. Cut the 2 ends off the eggplant. Cut the eggplants lengthwise, into 1/2-inch thick slices. Arrange eggplant slices onto rack. Sprinkle with sea salt to help remove excess moisture and any bitterness from the eggplants. Set aside for about 10 to 15 minutes. Rinse off the salt from the eggplants and pat dry with a towel. Spray hot grill pan liberally with vegetable spray and then place eggplant slices on the grill until lightly browned on each side and tender, about 4 minutes per side. Remove slices from the grill pan and allow to cool.
In a large bowl, beat eggs until lightly scrambled. Mix the ricotta in with the egg. Add mozzarella, 3 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese and toasted pine nuts and gently combine. Fold in basil just to combine. Do not overmix.
Place a tablespoon of the cheese mixture on 1 end of the eggplant and roll up tightly. Place the eggplant rollatini into a greased (with olive oil) 13 by 9-inch baking dish, seam side down. Continue with remaining eggplant. Evenly distribute the tomato sauce on top of the eggplant rollatini. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle with remaining 5 tablespoons of Parmesan cheese and bake for 15 minutes. When cooked, drizzle the top with extra-virgin olive oil.
- Simple Tomato Sauce
- 1/2 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped
- 1 stalk celery, chopped
- 1 carrot, chopped
- Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper
- 2 (32-ounce) cans crushed tomatoes
- 2 dried bay leaves
- 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, optional
In a large casserole pot, heat oil over medium high heat. Add onion and garlic and saute until soft and translucent, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add celery and carrots and season with salt and pepper. Saute until all the vegetables are soft, about 5 to 10 minutes. Add tomatoes and bay leaves and simmer uncovered on low heat for 1 hour or until thick. Remove bay leaves and check for seasoning. If sauce still tastes acidic, add unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon at a time to round out the flavors.
Add 1/2 the tomato sauce into the bowl of a food processor. Process until smooth. Continue with remaining tomato sauce.
If not using all the sauce, allow it to cool completely and pour 1 to 2 cup portions into freezer plastic bags. This will freeze up to 6 months.
Yield: 6 cups
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 1 hour and 20 minutes
Ease of Preparation: Easy
Ten Dollar Dinners Promo
NFNS5 Winner Promo
What Would Brian Boitano Make?
Melissa's Pilot
Melissa's Hometown Visit
Giada Behind the Scenes
Making Bacone With Brian
Bobby's Crunchy Avocado Salad
Melissa's New Show
Battle - Cowboy Ribeye
5 Healthy Weeknight Dinners
Easy Appetizers
All About Melissa d'Arabian
5 Simple Summer Dinners
Simple Slow Cooker Recipes
Decadent Chocolate Desserts
Foods for Entertaining a Crowd
Bobby's Burgers
Simple Summer Recipes
Giada in Paradise
Flavorful, filling vegetarian meal!
Rated: 5 stars out of 5