Baked not fried eggplant with mozzarella and parmesan cheese with asparagus. Eggplant along with asparagus is low in calories which may help with weight loss and is full of vitamins and fiber.
VEGETERIAN AND GLUTEN FREE
Ingredients
- 1 eggplant
- Italian seasoning
- Garlic powder
- Onion and garlic spice optional
- Low moisture mozzarella cheese 16oz
- Fresh grated parmesan cheese 1/2 cup or more
- Rao’s marinara sauce- flavor according to your preference
- Fresh basil
- Asparagus bunch
- 1/4 cup or more olive oil
Directions
Cut eggplant into rings, season with Italian seasoning, garlic powder, salt, pepper and brush with olive oil on each side. Let sit 20-30 minutes so it absorbs the flavors. Meanwhile preheat oven 350 degrees. Line baking tray with aluminum foil and place eggplant rounds. Bake uncovered 10 minutes, turn eggplant over and bake another 10 minutes. If you like your eggplant softer you can leave in for longer however the eggplant will go back into the oven again. Separately slice the mozzarella cheese, shred parmesan cheese and chop the basil. When eggplant is done take out and place into a baking dish in layers. Spread some marinara on bottom of baking dish, place eggplant and put a slice of mozzarella cheese on each round and place another eggplant round on top. Pour marinara on top along with parmesan cheese. Cover the eggplant put back into oven and bake for another 15 minutes making sure mozzarella cheese does not melt completely and spill out of the eggplant. Take out and sprinkle with fresh basil.
While your eggplant is baking prepare the asparagus. I trim a good amount of the spears from the asparagus however do according to your preference. Using a frying pan heat up 1 tablespoon of olive oil or butter or any other alternatives you use for frying and add the asparagus. Season with salt, pepper, garlic and or onion powder and cook covered. I like my asparagus soft so I cook it 15-20 minutes on low heat and for the last few minutes uncovered high heat stirring frequently.
I love Rao’s marinara it has natural ingredients, little sugar and tastes delicious.