Savory Mediterranean Eggplant Casserole
Indulge in the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean with this Savory Eggplant Casserole, a delightful dish that brings together the earthiness of eggplant, the creaminess of eggs, and the warmth of aromatic spices. Originally inspired by the '1 of a Kind' cookbook from the Junior League of Mobile, AL, this modified recipe incorporates essential herbs and spices, including a surprising hint of cinnamon that elevates the entire dish. Ideal for family gatherings or weeknight dinners, this casserole serves as a hearty vegetarian option, but can also be easily customized with ground meat or crumbled feta cheese to create a satisfying one-dish meal. With its alluring layers of vegetables and topping of crispy breadcrumbs, this casserole is sure to become a cherished favorite at your table.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
Eggplant
3 medium (unpeeled, sliced into 1/4 inch thick slices)
Olive Oil
3/4 cup (more as required for frying)
Onion
1 cup (chopped)
Celery
1 cup (chopped)
Green Bell Pepper
1/2 cup (chopped)
Fresh Tomato
1 cup (seeded and diced)
Black Olives
1/2 cup (quartered or sliced)
Dried Oregano
1/2 teaspoon
Dried Thyme Leaves
1/4 teaspoon
Cumin
1/4 teaspoon
Garlic Powder
1/2 teaspoon
Salt
1/2 teaspoon
Black Pepper
1/4 teaspoon
Cinnamon
1 teaspoon
Eggs
3 large (beaten)
Breadcrumbs
1 cup
Olive Oil
2 tablespoons
Dry Parmesan Cheese
2 tablespoons (powder variety)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
2
Prepare your veggies: chop the onion, celery, green bell pepper, and fresh tomato according to the specified quantities. Quarter or slice the black olives and set everything aside.
3
Slice the unpeeled eggplants into 1/4-inch thick slices. In a large sauté pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Cook the eggplant slices in batches until they are just slightly tender but not fully cooked, approximately 4-5 minutes per side. Remove the eggplant from the pan and set aside.
4
In the same pan, add the chopped onion, celery, and green bell pepper. Sauté until the vegetables are crisp-tender, about 5-7 minutes.
5
Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the chopped tomato, black olives, oregano, thyme, cumin, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and cinnamon. Mix until well combined.
6
In a 9x13-inch baking dish, layer 1/3 of the sautéed eggplant slices, followed by 1/3 of the vegetable mixture. Repeat two more times to create three layers of eggplant and veggies.
7
Bake the casserole in the preheated oven for 15 minutes.
8
While the casserole is baking, whisk the eggs in a separate bowl. In another bowl, combine the breadcrumbs, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and dry Parmesan cheese, mixing well.
9
After 15 minutes, carefully remove the casserole from the oven. Drizzle the beaten eggs evenly over the surface of the casserole, allowing them to seep into the layers. Gently stir the vegetables with a fork to distribute the eggs.
10
Sprinkle the breadcrumb mixture evenly over the top of the casserole, then return it to the oven for another 15 minutes, or until the breadcrumbs are golden brown and crispy.
11
Serve the casserole immediately, garnished with fresh herbs if desired. For a heartier dish, feel free to add cooked ground meat or crumbled feta cheese before baking.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Savory Mediterranean Eggplant Casserole?
It is a vibrant Mediterranean-inspired dish featuring layers of eggplant, fresh vegetables, aromatic spices, and a crispy breadcrumb topping.
What inspired this specific recipe?
The recipe was originally inspired by the '1 of a Kind' cookbook from the Junior League of Mobile, AL, but has been modified with extra herbs and spices.
What is the 'secret' spice in this dish?
The dish features a surprising hint of cinnamon that helps elevate the earthy flavors of the eggplant and other vegetables.
Is this eggplant casserole vegetarian?
Yes, as written, it is a hearty vegetarian option, though it can be customized with meat if desired.
Can I add meat to this recipe?
Yes, you can easily customize the casserole by adding cooked ground meat before baking to create a more filling meal.
What temperature should I set my oven to?
The oven should be preheated to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
Do I need to peel the eggplants?
No, the recipe calls for three medium eggplants to be sliced while unpeeled.
How thick should the eggplant slices be?
The eggplants should be sliced into 1/4-inch thick rounds.
What vegetables are needed for the filling?
You will need chopped onion, celery, green bell pepper, and fresh seeded and diced tomatoes.
How should the eggplant be prepared before layering?
The eggplant slices should be sautéed in olive oil for approximately 4-5 minutes per side until they are slightly tender but not fully cooked.
What spices are used in the vegetable mixture?
The mixture includes dried oregano, dried thyme leaves, cumin, garlic powder, salt, black pepper, and cinnamon.
How many layers does this casserole have?
The recipe calls for three layers of the sautéed eggplant and the vegetable mixture.
What size baking dish is recommended?
A 9x13-inch baking dish is the appropriate size for this recipe.
How long does the casserole bake initially?
The layered casserole is first baked for 15 minutes before adding the egg and breadcrumb toppings.
What is the purpose of the eggs in this recipe?
Beaten eggs are drizzled over the casserole to help bind the layers together and add creaminess.
How do I prepare the breadcrumb topping?
Mix 1 cup of breadcrumbs with 2 tablespoons of olive oil and 2 tablespoons of dry Parmesan cheese.
How long is the final bake time after adding toppings?
The casserole should return to the oven for an additional 15 minutes until the breadcrumbs are golden brown and crispy.
What kind of olives are used in the dish?
The recipe calls for 1/2 cup of black olives, which should be quartered or sliced.
Can I add cheese to the vegetable layers?
Yes, you can add crumbled feta cheese before baking for extra flavor and saltiness.
What type of Parmesan cheese is suggested?
The recipe specifies using the dry powder variety of Parmesan cheese for the topping.
How much olive oil is used for frying the eggplant?
The recipe uses 3/4 cup of olive oil, adding more as required during the batch frying process.
How should the vegetables be sautéed?
The onion, celery, and green bell pepper should be sautéed for 5-7 minutes until they are crisp-tender.
When should I add the fresh tomatoes?
The chopped tomatoes should be stirred into the sautéed vegetable mixture after the pan has been removed from the heat.
What should I do after drizzling the eggs?
You should gently stir the vegetables with a fork to help distribute the eggs throughout the layers.
Is this a good dish for family gatherings?
Yes, it is described as an ideal casserole for family gatherings or weeknight dinners.
What can be used as a garnish?
You can garnish the finished dish with fresh herbs if desired.
What is the total number of ingredients?
There are 18 specific ingredients required for this recipe.
Does the recipe require many spices?
Yes, it incorporates a variety of aromatics including oregano, thyme, cumin, garlic, and cinnamon.
Can the eggplant be peeled?
While the recipe specifies unpeeled, you could peel them if you prefer a different texture, though unpeeled is standard here.
What is the intended texture of the breadcrumb topping?
The topping is designed to be golden brown and crispy to provide a contrast to the tender vegetables.