Eggplant Cassarole

 

 

My mother used to make this dish for every holiday meal, Easter, Thanksgiving, and Christmas. It went nicely with Turkey or Ham on the table. Surprisingly enough this is the only way I can eat Eggplant.  It's a quick dish to make and tastes great too. Can be made for weekly dinner or only for holiday. Make a new traditionm make my mother's eggplant cassarole, you won't be sorry. The key is to keep the bacon fat in pan when you fry up the onions, celery and scrabbled egg. Adds to the flavor of the dish. Enjoy! 

 

Ingredients

 4 tablespoons olive oil

 ½ lb bacon cut up and diced

 1 pound peeled eggplant, cut into 1/2-inch dice

 4 ribs celery, cut into 1/2-inch dice

 1 onion, chopped into 1/2-inch dice

1 Beaten egg

1/2 cup chopped fresh basil leaves

 1 cup Italian seasoned bread crumbs

 Salt and pepper

 

Directions

 

Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F.

In a large soup pot add eggplant and boil until every piece is soft and dark in color. Meanwhile in sauté pan over medium-high heat, add bacon and cook until crispy. Once the bacon is cooked turn down the heat and add olive oil, celery, onion, and basil leaves and cook until veggies are slightly cooked. Add beaten egg to pan and stir until egg is cooked through as if scrambled. Drain eggplant and place pieces into a food processor until completely smashed up. Place in a mixing bowl and add bacon and veggies from saute pan to the eggplant and combine until completely mixed. Then place the mixture into a baking dish and cover it with bread crumbs and salt and pepper. Cook for 30 minutes and then serve. Great for Holiday means as a side dish or just with a steak. Enjoy

Note: this dish freezes well and can be cooked a few days ahead and reheated in the microwave for 2-4 minutes depending on leftovers or final dish. Great served with melted provalone cheese or swiss over top when reheated. 

Author Elizabeth Kilbride is a former political operative, author, scriptwriter, historian, journalist. business professional, and creative artist, and life coach consultant. Ms. Kilbride holds a Masters in Criminology and a BS in Business Management who stepped out of the loop for a while, but who is now back with a powerful opinion and voice in the direction of this country and our economy. As a life coach, she is available to counsel individuals to enjoy their dreams and a better life. Ms. Kilbride loves to travel, photograph her surroundings and is also a gourmet cook who loves to garden and preserve food for the winter months.