Panko Breading Technique: Step 1

Give the eggplant slices a quick dip in egg wash; let excess drip off.

Step 2

Gently press the panko onto the slice to help it adhere.

Step 3

The whole-wheat panko barely browns, but it will create a perfectly crisp coating.

Ingredients

• Eggplant:
• 2 large eggs, lightly beaten
• 1 tablespoon water
• 2 cups whole-wheat panko (Japanese breadcrumbs)
• 1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
• 2 (1-pound) eggplants, peeled and cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices
• Cooking spray
• Filling:
• 1/2 cup torn fresh basil
• 1/4 cup (1 ounce) grated fresh Parmigiano-Reggiano cheese
• 1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 1 1/2 teaspoons minced garlic
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 1 (16-ounce) container part-skim ricotta cheese
• 1 large egg, lightly beaten
• Remaining ingredients:
• 1 (24-ounce) jar premium pasta sauce
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 8 ounces thinly sliced mozzarella cheese
• 3/4 cup (3 ounces) finely grated fontina cheese

Preparation

• 1. Preheat oven to 375°.
• 2. To make eggplant, combine 2 eggs and 1 tablespoon water in a shallow dish. Combine panko and 1/4 cup Parmigiano-Reggiano in a second shallow dish. Dip eggplant in egg mixture; dredge in panko mixture, pressing gently to adhere and shaking off excess. Place eggplant 1 inch apart on baking sheets coated with cooking spray. Bake at 375° for 30 minutes or until golden, turning once and rotating baking sheets after 15 minutes.
• 3. To make filling, combine basil and next 6 ingredients (through egg).
• 4. To assemble, spoon 1/2 cup pasta sauce in bottom of a 13 x 9-inch glass baking dish coated with cooking spray. Layer half of eggplant slices over pasta sauce. Sprinkle eggplant with 1/8 teaspoon salt. Top with about 3/4 cup pasta sauce; spread half of ricotta mixture over sauce, and top with a third of mozzarella and 1/4 cup fontina. Repeat layers once, ending with about 1 cup pasta sauce. Cover tightly with aluminum foil coated with cooking spray. Bake at 375° for 35 minutes. Remove foil; top with remaining third of mozzarella and 1/4 cup fontina. Bake at 375° for 10 minutes or until sauce is bubbly and cheese melts; cool 10 minutes.