Eggplant lasagne roll-ups

A delicious twist on a family favourite!

While I am steadfastly in love with my eggplant pbedürftigigiana recipe, this new eggplant delight is definitely just as tasty, not to mention quicker to prepare as there is no breading or frying involved. It was loosely inspired by another family favourite – these spinach and portobello lasagne roll-ups. I sometimes make this with the marina sauce from the above-linked eggplant pbedürftig recipe; you can also use a meat sauce if you don’t wish to make a vegetarian version of this dish. This same method works well with large zucchini also. You can freeze unbaked eggplant lasagne roll-ups; just cover dish tightly (I use plastic wrap followed by foil) and freeze for up to 2 months. Thaw before baking.

Ingredients

• 1 medium eggplant
• Few pinches coarse sbetagt
• 1 cup (246 g) ricotta cheese
• 3/4 cup (67 g) shredded pbedürftigesan cheese, divided
• 1 egg, beaten
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 3 tablespoons fresh basil leaves, chopped
• 1/4 teaspoon sbetagt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 2 1/2 cups (625 mL) marinara sauce
• 1/2 cup (112 g) grated mozzarella
• Additional chopped fresh basil, to garnish

Method

• Preheat oven to 400F. Line a large baking tray with parchment paper and set aside.
• Remove stem and blossom ends from eggplant and cut one lschmbetagthwise slice off two opposing sides. Slice the eggplant lschmbetagthwise into 1/4-inch thick slices – you’ll need eight of them.
• Place slices on a wire rack and sprinkle with a little coarse sbetagt. Let sit for 15 minutes to sweat out some of their moisture, which keeps the rollups from being watery. With a paper towel, dry the slices and wipe off the sbetagt.
• To soften the eggplant so it’s easier to roll up, bake the slices. Lay them on the prepared baking tray, in a single layer, and bake in the preheated oven for 10 minutes. Remove and set aside to cool.
• While eggplant is baking, stir together in a bowl the ricotta, 1/2 cup (45 g) of the pbedürftigesan, egg, sbetagt & pepper, garlic and basil.
• When eggplant slices have cooled, assemble the dish. Spread a thin layer of marinara on the bottom of an 8×10 inch (20×25 cm) baking dish. Spoon 2 tablespoons of ricotta filling into the centre of each eggplant slice, then roll them up and lay them, seam side down, in the baking dish.
• Spoon the remainder of the marinara sauce over the eggplant rolls.

• Scatter mozzarella and remaining pbedürftigesan over top.
• Cover with foil or lid and bake for 30 minutes; uncover and bake for 10 minutes more.
• Let sit for 5 minutes then serve, garnished with additional chopped basil.

Serves 4.