Baked Eggplant Caprese Recipe

“We loved the eggplant.  Perfect!” “Just wanted to say that this dish WAS THE BOMB!!!!!!” “My all time favorite Meez meal thus far — it ROCKED.”

You can’t get much more traditional than baking eggplant with tomatoes, basil and lots of melty cheese.  But since this is Meez, our version is easier, healthier and fresher tasting than the traditional Eggplant Parmesan. We’re delighted to share the recipe this week.

 

Ingredients

Olive oil
2 Tbsp balsamic vinegar
2 Tbsp brown sugar
1/2 Tbsp fresh garlic, minced
1/2 Tbsp fresh basil
2 1/2 cups eggplant cut into rounds 1/2″ wide
1/3 cup grape tomatoes
1 (8 oz) can cannellini beans, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup shredded mozzarella
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan

 

Putting It All Together

Preheat your oven to 425.

Combine the balsamic vinegar and brown sugar in a small saucepan. Cook, stirring, over low heat for 2 minutes or until sugar has dissolved. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium. Simmer for 4 minutes or until reduced by one-third and slightly thick. Set this aside. This will be the balsamic glaze.

Whisk the garlic, basil and 3 Tbsp olive oil together and set aside. This will be the basil garlic oil.

Rub both sides of eggplant with some olive oil, salt and pepper. Lay out on a flat baking sheet and bake until the edges begin to brown and the center softens, about 20 minutes.

While the eggplant is cooking, heat 2 Tbsp of olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When it’s nice and hot, add the grape tomatoes and cook until they turn golden brown in places and a few of them have started to split, about 5 minutes.  Add the Basil Garlic Oil and cook until the garlic starts to turn golden and the it’s fragrant, about 1 to 2 minutes. Crush the tomatoes until the mixture looks like a sauce.

In the bottom of a casserole dish, spread the cannellini  in an even layer. Layer on the eggplant, then the tomato sauce and finally top with the mozzarella and Parmesan. Bake until the cheese starts to brown, about 20 to 25 minutes.

When it comes out of the oven, drizzle the balsamic glaze over top. Enjoy!

Serves 2