Italian Vegetable Dishes Recipes - Aubergine and Cheese Layer (Strati di Melanzane e Formaggio) Recipe

• 1 large aubergine (eggplant), trimmed and cut into 8 slices

• 10 ml/2 tsp salt

• 30 ml/2 tbsp olive oil

• 2 shallots, chopped

• 3 tomatoes, skinned and chopped

• 45 ml/3 tbsp tomato puree (paste)

• 30 ml/2 tbsp chopped fresh basil

• Freshly ground black pepper

• 275 g/10 oz Mozzarella cheese, sliced

Method:

1. Put the aubergine slices on a baking sheet and sprinkle over the salt. Allow to stand for 30 minutes, rinse and pat dry on kitchen paper.

2. Heat 15 ml/1 tbsp oil and fry (sauté) the shallots for 2 minutes.

3. Stir in the tomatoes, tomato puree, chopped basil and season with the pepper. Simmer for 10 minutes.

4. Brush the remaining oil over the aubergine slices and grill (broil) for 5 minutes, turning.

5. Layer two slices of aubergine and 2 slices of cheese to make 4 stacks, finishing with a cheese layer.

6. Put each mound on foil in the grill pan and grill until the cheese is melting and just turning brown.

7. Transfer to warm plates and spoon the sauce over. Serve straight away.