I don’t know why I have been on such an Italian kick lately. It really doesn’t take much to put me in the mood for 
Italian cooking. When you use vegetables in place of pasta it makes a healthier, lighter meal for your family to enjoy.
Eggplants are plentiful right now so it is the perfect time to make this delicious dish.
Eggplant Parmesan/Lasagna
2 Eggplants
2 jars of World Classic’s Marinara Sauce (available at your local Meat Market)
1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese (more for garnish)
2 eggs
15 oz. of Ricotta Cheese
2 Tablespoons of fresh chives
2 Tablespoons of granulated garlic
16 oz. of grated provolone/mozzarella cheese
1 Pound lean ground beef browned and drained (optional)
Pre-heat the oven to 350 degrees. Cut off the top and bottom of the eggplants. Slice the eggplants in 1/4″ slices. Discard the end pieces which have the skin on them. Lightly salt both sides of the eggplant slices and allow them to rest for 20 minutes. After 20 minutes blot them dry with a paper towel. Put parchment paper on a cookie sheet and place the eggplant slices on the cookie sheet. Cook the eggplant slices in the oven for 20 minutes.
While the eggplant is cooking, Mix the cooked lean ground beef with 1 1/2 jars of the sauce. In a separate bowl, mix together the Ricotta cheese,Parmesan cheese, chives, garlic, eggs and 4 oz. of the grated provolone/mozzarella 
cheese.
Pour 1/2 jar of the marinara sauce in the bottom of a 9 X 13 and an 8 X 8 inch baking dish.
Remove the baked eggplant slices from the oven and allow them to cool to the touch. Increase the temperature of the oven to 400 degrees. Place a tablespoon (or more) of the Ricotta cheese mixture in the center of the baked eggplant and roll them up. Place the seam side down in the dish with the Marinara Sauce. Repeat this process until all of the eggplant slices are filled. Cover the eggplant slices with the Marinara Sauce with the ground beef (optional) and cover with the remaining provolone/mozzarella cheese.
Cook the eggplant in the oven for 20 minutes at 400 degrees. Serve with additional Parmesan cheese, if desired.
Until next time…From our Butcher Block to your Table.
