Rolled Stuffed Eggplant

Photo: flickr user snowpea&bokchoi

Ingredients

1 cup vegetable oil

2 ounces cans (28 each) crushed tomatoes with puree

1 can (8 oz.) tomato sauce

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 teaspoon pepper

4 cups plain bread crumbs

2 cups sifted all-purpose flour

4 eggs

1/4 cup milk

2 pounds eggplants (1 each)

2 ounces containers (15 each) ricotta cheese

1 package (8 oz.) Mozzarella cheese, grated

1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese

2 cups chopped parsley

Preparation

Saute garlic in 1 tablespoon of the oil in large saucepan until golden brown, about 4 minutes. Working in batches, combine crushed tomatoes, tomato sauce, salt and pepper in blender. Whirl until smooth. pour into saucepan. Bring to boiling, lower heat, simmer partially covered, 30 minutes. Reserve.

Combine crumbs and flour in large shallow pan. Beat eggs and milk in large bowl. Peel eggplant; cut lengthwise into 1/8 inch thick slices. Dip into egg mixture, dredge with flour mixture, shaking off excess. Set on wax paper.

Working in batches and using about 3 tablespoons oil per batch, saute eggplant in large skillet until golden, 1 minute per side. Drain on paper toweling.

Combine ricotta, Mozzarella, Parmesan, parsley in bowl; mix well. Spread 2 to 3 tablespoons on one side of each slice of eggplant. Roll up jelly-roll fashion. Spread 1 cup tomato sauce over bottom of each of two 11 3/4 x 7 1/2 x 1 3/4 inch baking dish. Arrange rolls seam side down in single layer in dishes. Spoon sauce over rolls; save remaining to pass.

Bake, covered, in preheated hot oven (450 degrees) for 30 minutes or until sauce is bubbly. Garnish with chopped parsley, if you wish.

Bake at 450 degrees for 30 minutes. Makes 15 servings (30 rolls).