Fried Eggplant Stacks Recipe With Fresh Mozzarella. Thin cut fried eggplant slices layered with fresh mozzarella, sundried tomatoes, fresh basil, and finished with a balsamic vinaigrette.
Cookbook Feature Recipe: Fried Eggplant Stacks Recipe
New recipe only found in the cookbook….until now! This week I want to highlight this fried eggplant stacks recipe because it is one of the 80 recipes featured in the cookbook! This is an exclusive new recipe!
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I love this eggplant recipe. It is tasty, comforting, and impressive. If you are looking for a conversation starter bring this recipe to a dinner party.
The first time I made this recipe I was 17 and working at an Italian Deli. These eggplant stacks were an item on the catering menu, and occasionally we made them as a special for lunchtime.
The customers always had questions about this dish. How do we eat it, or what can we stack between the eggplant slices, or is it served hot or cold?
My advise, just dive right in! The stacks are great hot or cold, eat them with your hands or a fork and knife, and put whatever you want between the slices!
NOTE
Before beginning the recipe remember to read the “Invent Your Recipe” section below for additional suggestions, recipe combinations, or ingredient alternatives.
How To Make Fried Eggplant Stacks Recipe
PREPARING THE EGGPLANT:
- Begin by cutting the ends off the eggplant and removing all the skin. Next, slice the eggplant in 1/4-inch slices, forming 12-15 flat circles, and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the eggs and water and whisk to form an egg wash. In another mixing bowl, add the breadcrumbs.
- Dredge each eggplant slice in the egg wash and then the breadcrumbs and place on a baking sheet to stage for frying. Repeat this process until all the eggplant is breaded.
FRYING THE EGGPLANT:
- In a large skillet, add 1 cup canola oil and bring to a high heat. Next, place 4-5 slices of eggplant into hot oil, ensuring not to crowd the skillet.
- Once the bottom of the eggplant slice begins to brown, about 1-2 minutes, flip it over and brown the other side, about 1-2 minutes.
- Remove finished eggplant slices to baking sheet and stack between layers of paper towels to strain excess oil. Use additional canola oil as needed.
- Repeat this process until all eggplant slices have been cooked. Set aside and let the eggplant cool for 10 minutes.
PREPARING THE VINAIGRETTE:
- In a small bowl, add the extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, ground black pepper, and dried oregano. Whisk well to incorporate all the ingredients.
- Set the vinaigrette aside until you are ready to build the eggplant stacks.
STACKING THE EGGPLANT:
- To complete one eggplant stack, begin by placing one eggplant slice on a cutting board or flat clean surface.
- Next, place a slice of fresh mozzarella on top of the eggplant, 2 pieces of sun-dried tomatoes on top of the fresh mozzarella, a pinch of fresh basil on top of the sun-dried tomatoes, and drizzle a small amount of balsamic vinaigrette over the basil (whisk if needed). This will form your first section.
- Next, repeat this process to form a second complete section. To finish off the complete 2 section eggplant stack, add a final slice of eggplant on top of the second section.
- Repeat this process until you have 4 complete eggplant stacks.
How to Serve Fried Eggplant Stacks Recipe:
- Place the eggplant stacks on a large serving dish and drizzle with more vinaigrette.
More Vegetarian Recipes To Try
Fried Cacuzza
Italian cacuzza squash cut into wheels, breaded, and fried until golden brown.
Zucchini with Beans and Sweet Potatoes
Zucchini sautéed with garlic, onions, tomatoes, and sweet potatoes and mixed with beans.
Stir Fry Cabbage with Green Beans
Cabbage sautéed with fresh green beans, tomatoes, and onions and mixed with stir fry sauce.
The Recipe
Fried Eggplant Stacks Recipe With Fresh Mozzarella
Ingredients
- 1 large eggplant
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup water
- 1 cup plain breadcrumbs
- 1-2 cups canola oil
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 4-6 ounces sun-dried tomatoes
- 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cut into 8-10 slices
- 1/4 cup sliced fresh basil
Instructions
PREPARING THE EGGPLANT:
- Begin by cutting the ends off the eggplant and removing all the skin. Next, slice the eggplant in 1/4-inch slices, forming 12-15 flat circles, and set aside.
- In a large mixing bowl, add the eggs and water and whisk to form an egg wash. In another mixing bowl, add the breadcrumbs.
- Dredge each eggplant slice in the egg wash and then the breadcrumbs and place on a baking sheet to stage for frying. Repeat this process until all the eggplant is breaded.
FRYING THE EGGPLANT:
- In a large skillet, add 1 cup canola oil and bring to a high heat. Next, place 4-5 slices of eggplant into hot oil, ensuring not to crowd the skillet.
- Once the bottom of the eggplant slice begins to brown, about 1-2 minutes, flip it over and brown the other side, about 1-2 minutes.
- Remove finished eggplant slices to baking sheet and stack between layers of paper towels to strain excess oil. Use additional canola oil as needed.
- Repeat this process until all eggplant slices have been cooked. Set aside and let the eggplant cool for 10 minutes.
PREPARING THE VINAIGRETTE:
- In a small bowl, add the extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, ground black pepper, and dried oregano. Whisk well to incorporate all the ingredients.
- Set the vinaigrette aside until you are ready to build the eggplant stacks.
STACKING THE EGGPLANT:
- To complete one eggplant stack, begin by placing one eggplant slice on a cutting board or flat clean surface.
- Next, place a slice of fresh mozzarella on top of the eggplant, 2 pieces of sun-dried tomatoes on top of the fresh mozzarella, a pinch of fresh basil on top of the sun-dried tomatoes, and drizzle a small amount of balsamic vinaigrette over the basil (whisk if needed). This will form your first section.
- Next, repeat this process to form a second complete section. To finish off the complete 2 section eggplant stack, add a final slice of eggplant on top of the second section.
- Repeat this process until you have 4 complete eggplant stacks.
TO SERVE:
- Place the eggplant stacks on a large serving dish and drizzle with more vinaigrette.
Invent Your Recipe
Nutrition
Get my highly requested ingredient alternatives list! Over 60 ingredients and suggested replacements. Expand your pantry and flavors!
Invent Your Recipe
For this fried eggplant stacks recipe I am using fresh mozzarella for the cheese. You could also use sliced asiago cheese, sharp provolone, fontina or whatever slicing cheese you prefer. Or remove the cheese entirely from the recipe. It is up to you.
I love the flavor of sundried tomatoes, but I have also made this recipe with fresh sliced tomatoes, roasted red peppers, marinated artichoke hearts, and sliced hot peppers. You can really layer any vegetable you like on the eggplant. If you can get it to sit between two slices of eggplant, you can use it.
You can leave the fresh basil out of the recipe if you are not a fan, or use whatever fresh herbs you like. Or add more vegetables. Again, invent your version of this recipe.
For a simple option for the dressing you can use your favorite store bought variety.
For more ideas like this fried eggplant stacks recipe, check out our vegetarian recipes.
