Savory Baked Eggplant Gratin with Herbed Crust
This Savory Baked Eggplant Gratin is a delightful dish that transforms simple eggplants into a deliciously comforting experience. Using a technique that minimizes oil absorption, the eggplant becomes beautifully tender while maintaining a light and healthy profile. Topped with a fragrant herb and crusty bread mixture, this dish serves as a perfect starter or a delightful side for any meat or fish entrée. Whether served at a dinner party or during a quiet family meal, this recipe will impress with its gourmet flair yet simple execution. Prepare it in advance for a stress-free dining experience. Enjoy the robust flavors of garlic, fresh herbs, and the wholesome goodness of eggplant in every bite.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
8
Ingredients
Ingredients
eggplants
2 (trimmed and peeled, sliced into 1 1/4-inch thick rounds)
olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons (for coating the baking sheet)
olive oil
2 teaspoons (for tossing with crumbs)
sea salt
3/4 teaspoon (for seasoning eggplant slices)
leftover bread
1 1/2 ounces (cut into 1-inch pieces (about 1/4-1/2 of a baguette))
fresh chives
1/8 cup (chopped)
fresh parsley
1/8 cup (chopped)
garlic cloves
2 (peeled)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C).
2
Trim the ends and peel the eggplants, then slice them into thick rounds, approximately 1 1/4 inches thick, yielding about 8 slices.
3
Drizzle 1 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil onto a large baking sheet, spreading it evenly to coat the surface.
4
Lay the eggplant slices on the baking sheet, pressing them gently into the oil. Sprinkle half of the sea salt over the slices.
5
Flip the slices over and repeat with the remaining salt, ensuring each slice is well-seasoned.
6
Bake the eggplant in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes or until the slices are very soft and tender.
7
While the eggplant is baking, prepare the herb topping. In a food processor, combine the leftover bread, chives, parsley, and peeled garlic cloves. Process for 15-20 seconds until a coarse crumb mixture forms.
8
Transfer the bread mixture into a mixing bowl and add the remaining 2 teaspoons of olive oil. Toss lightly until the crumbs are well-coated.
9
Once the eggplant is done baking, remove it from the oven and spoon the herb crumb mixture generously on top of each slice.
10
You can refrigerate the dish at this stage if you're preparing it ahead of time.
11
When ready to serve, preheat your broiler. Position the dish so the topping is about 6-8 inches away from the broiler unit.
12
Broil the gratin for 5-6 minutes until the topping is golden brown and crispy.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Baked Eggplant Gratin with Herbed Crust?
It is a gourmet yet simple dish featuring thick-sliced eggplants baked until tender and topped with a crispy, fragrant herb and breadcrumb mixture.
How many eggplants are required for this recipe?
You will need 2 eggplants, which should be trimmed, peeled, and sliced into rounds.
What is the recommended thickness for the eggplant slices?
The eggplant should be sliced into thick rounds, approximately 1 1/4 inches thick.
At what temperature should the oven be preheated?
The oven should be preheated to 400°F (200°C) for the initial baking phase.
How much olive oil is used to coat the baking sheet?
Use 1 1/2 tablespoons of olive oil to evenly coat the surface of a large baking sheet.
How much sea salt is used to season the eggplant?
A total of 3/4 teaspoon of sea salt is used, divided evenly between both sides of the eggplant slices.
How long do the eggplant slices need to bake?
The eggplant slices should bake for about 30 minutes until they are very soft and tender.
What ingredients are used to make the herbed crust?
The crust consists of leftover bread, fresh chives, fresh parsley, garlic cloves, and a small amount of olive oil.
What type of bread is suggested for the crumb mixture?
The recipe calls for 1 1/2 ounces of leftover bread, such as 1/4 to 1/2 of a baguette, cut into 1-inch pieces.
How many garlic cloves are included in the herb topping?
Two peeled garlic cloves are processed with the bread and herbs.
How much fresh parsley is needed?
The recipe requires 1/8 cup of chopped fresh parsley.
How much fresh chives are needed?
The recipe requires 1/8 cup of chopped fresh chives.
How long should I process the crumb mixture in a food processor?
Process the bread, herbs, and garlic for 15-20 seconds until a coarse crumb mixture forms.
How much olive oil is added to the breadcrumb mixture?
Add 2 teaspoons of olive oil to the crumbs and toss until they are well-coated.
Can I prepare this eggplant gratin ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare the dish up to the point of adding the herb crumb mixture and refrigerate it until you are ready to serve.
How do I finish the dish when ready to serve?
Preheat your broiler and broil the topped eggplant slices for 5-6 minutes.
How far should the dish be from the broiler?
The dish should be positioned so the topping is about 6-8 inches away from the broiler unit.
What should the topping look like after broiling?
The topping should be golden brown and crispy.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian.
How can I make this recipe gluten-free?
While the tags suggest it is gluten-free, you must use gluten-free bread for the crust to ensure it meets dietary requirements.
What is the benefit of the cooking technique used for the eggplant?
The technique minimizes oil absorption, allowing the eggplant to become tender while staying light and healthy.
Should the eggplant be peeled?
Yes, the instructions specify to peel the eggplants after trimming the ends.
How many slices does this recipe typically yield?
Using two eggplants sliced at 1 1/4 inches thick, the recipe yields about 8 slices.
What kind of dishes does this gratin pair well with?
It serves as a perfect starter or a delightful side for meat or fish entrées.
Is this a healthy recipe?
Yes, it is described as a healthy recipe that focuses on the wholesome goodness of eggplant and fresh herbs.
What are the primary flavors in this dish?
The primary flavors are garlic, fresh parsley, chives, and the robust taste of roasted eggplant.
Is a food processor necessary for this recipe?
A food processor is used to create the coarse crumb mixture from bread, herbs, and garlic quickly.
Can I use fresh bread instead of leftover bread?
Leftover bread is usually preferred for crumbs as it is drier, but fresh bread can work if it is toasted slightly first.
Is the eggplant salted before baking to remove water?
In this specific recipe, the eggplant is seasoned and baked directly to maintain its texture without a pre-salting step.
What category does this recipe fall into?
It is categorized as an appetizer, side dish, and comfort food.