Eggplant Pizzas

September 18, 2015

Eggplant Pizzas
I love tweaking recipes I find by adding things that I love and that I think will enhance the outcome. Some recipes however are just perfect the way they are and need to be loved as such.
This is one of those recipes.
I've been tempted to tweak it up in different directions but each time I do, I decide against it.
Because truth to be told, there’s not much I can do to make it better.

Eggplant
Deep in the Julia Child archives, past the boeuf bourguignon, coq au vin, aspics, and baked spinach there are recipes so low in bread, butter, bacon, and wine you wonder why French cuisine has been labeled as gluttony.
There are even some completely gluten-free and low carb — I may even start to speculate that Mrs Child was, among other things, a forerunner of the paleo diet.
Eggplant Pizzas
I discovered these “Tranches d'aubergine á l'italienne” in From Julia Child’s Kitchen, thanks to my good friend Kalyn. She posted the recipe two years ago and I immediately fell in love with it.
I borrowed a copy of Julia Child’s cookbook from mom the day after reading that post, and never returned it (sorry mom!)
The cookbook was published in 1975 and contains recipes and kitchen wisdom that came from episodes of her PBS show.
Compared to Child’s Mastering the Art of French Cooking, in this book the recipes are more accessible yet still distinctive in their execution.
It’s a great cookbook to add to your library, if you want my opinion.

Eggplant Pizzas
These eggplant pizzas are slices of baked eggplant, topped with marinara sauce and melted cheese.
It’s one of those recipes that completely defies those who claim “sticking to a clean diet is too hard”.
So easy to make, healthy, and delicious, they are really a no-brainer. Not to mention low-carb and kid approved.
Nephew Matt, constantly hungry, said they’re his new favorite post-soccer practice meal.
Which is huge, considering that for 5 very long years the post-training fare consisted of mashed potatoes, grilled chicken, and salad.
Now that’s what I call validation.
Eggplant Pizzas
Eggplant Pizzas                                                       Print this recipe!
Barely adapted from Julia Child and greatly inspired by KalynsKitchen

Ingredients
Serves 4

1 medium globe eggplant, sliced into ¾-inch thick slices (try to make them as even as possible to they all cook at the same rate)
1 tablespoon fine grain sea salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons Italian seasoning
⅓ cup grated Parmesan cheese
⅓ cup shredded mozzarella cheese

1 cup marinara sauce (or your favorite pizza sauce)

Your favorite pizza toppings (pepperoni, mushrooms, onions, sausage, bacon, black olives, green peppers, etc)

Directions

Put eggplant slices on a layer of paper towels and sprinkle both sides generously with salt.
Let the eggplant slices sit for about 20 minutes to draw out the liquid.
Preheat oven to 375ºF (190ºC) and place a rack in the middle.
Carefully wipe the eggplant slices dry with paper towels (this removes also the salt.)
Grease a baking sheet with olive oil, lay eggplant slices, and brush the top with olive oil.
Sprinkle with Italian seasoning, cover with foil, and roast in the oven for about 20 to 25 minutes or until golden (be careful, you don’t want the slices to become mushy and lose their shape!)
Remove the eggplant slices and turn the oven settings to broil.
Spread a couple of tablespoons of marinara sauce on top of each slice, sprinkle with a generous amount of Parmesan cheese, mozzarella cheese, and add your favorite toppings.
Broil until the cheese melts and it’s slightly browned, about 6 to 7 minutes.
Devour!

Nutrition facts

One serving yields 190 calories, 13 grams of fat, 15 grams of carbs, and 7 grams of protein.

47 comments:

  1. Mike, I've been using thick slices of eggplant quickly grilled or cooked on a griddle for so many things, including as a base for burgers - works great, as long as I am careful not to allow it to become mushy. Nothing worse than mushy eggplant. Well, maybe overcooked scallops?

    love this recipe, I am a huge fan of Kalyn's cooking too.... and I do have that cookbook... say hi to your Mom, tell her her son is a great guy she should not be mad at him... ;-)

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    1. I told her, but she hasn't forgiven me yet for stealing that book...

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  2. Your nephew has good taste! Eggplant never looked this good before! Such a simple recipe that is perfection indeed, though I am curious as to how you twerked this up..

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    1. I haven't twerk it yet, but now that you mentioned it, I will do it. Let's twerk the s...z out of this recipe!

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  3. Oh shoot - I meant tweaked...not twerked...it's Friday...my brain isn't working!

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  4. to be fair I am curious how you twerked this up. :-)

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    1. Man, I stil have to twerk it. But once I do it, I'll let you know the outcome...

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  5. Looks like I'll be picking up some eggplant at the store today because these have Friday night written all over them!

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  6. This is the first time I saw it, but I was very impressed with it. It looks very tasty.

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  7. Eggplant and cheese is my favorite combo. And even know I've seen some similar ideas, you've perfectly mastered this, Mike! I need this pizza ASAP! So don't hesitate and send me the samples, please, haha:)

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  8. I love eggplant, I love pizza, and I love "healthier" recipes! Soooo what's there not to love about this recipe :D

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  9. This is so creative!!! I'll definitely have to be trying out this recipe soon :D

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  10. I need to take an appetizer to an event this week. I may try this!

    xoxoBella | http://xoxobella.com

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  11. I've never made eggplant pizzas!! Looks awesome.
    P.S. those pepperoni are the cutest thing ever.

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  12. I've been dreaming about these eggplant pizzas ever since I saw them on Instagram last week. Amazing job, Mike! Also, I'm kinda liking Shashi's comment. I want to see you twerk these eggplant pizzas. Please take a video. #WolfpackTwerks

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    1. Dude, I think twerking recipes is going to be the next big thing. We should totally do it. You in?

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  13. Made these today. Forgot..well, thought I had it all down after one reading so did not follow recipe completely.
    But. They still tasted like no other egg plant I had before = heaven!
    Thanks for yet another great recipe.
    //Marlene Sixtensson, Sweden

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  14. Definitely a great recipe from Julia; I have been shocked at how popular it's been on my site, since so many people are suspicious of eggplant. (And BTW, I actually posted this first in 2008!) Yours look great.

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  15. How do you avoid the aubergine becoming mushy? :)

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  16. I just made this for lunch today with a big bowl of "kitchen sink" soup. And it was divine... I wish I didn't have to share with my hubsand and my mom...

    I made six pieces - two for each of us. I put a lot less cheese + no marinara sauce and tomatoes on top without the salami.

    Mine did come out slightly mushy but it was the best darn eggplant I have ever eaten :)

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  17. Look beautiful, I would like to eat

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  18. Even if I don't like aubergine too much, I'll try this recipe because it seems so tasty.

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  19. this also look great !!! I'll definitely have to be trying out this recipe soon.
    Thank for share. Now i have a new repice.

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  20. Eggplant pizza is new to me.Would love to try it

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  21. this pizza looks really unique and so delicious. I will try this in my dinner tonight. Thank you so much !

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  22. Awesome, this looks so delicious. I love pizza and any types of it very much, I can’t wait to try your recipe. Thank you so much for sharing this post!

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  23. Wow really easy to make recipe, and it looks completely fabulous ! Thanks for the post !

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  24. I love the eggplants, but never eat a pizza with it:O

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  25. Hi Mike, thanks for sharing such a great pizza recipe. Will give it a try since pizza is my daughter's favorite food... and mine too! Cheers!

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  26. i really need to try this, great

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  27. I should give it a try at home. Seems tasty

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  28. Never enjoy eggplants. This eggplant pizza will seemingly change my dislike for eggplants. Good idea. thanks for sharing.

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    1. I really hope they will change your mind about eggplant, because they're pretty awesome!

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  29. Wow really easy to make recipe, and it looks completely fabulous ! Thanks for the post !

    https://www.languageofdesires.com/

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  30. I really hope they will change your mind about eggplant, because they're pretty awesome!

    https://www.languageofdesires.com/

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  31. I never seen this before. But it looks very tasty!

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  32. Great stuff. Thanks for sharing and keep up the good work.

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  33. What? Eggplant Pizzas?! Never heard of such thing before, this is truly interesting and will definitely try this one tonight! Thank you for sharing this one.

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  34. Amazing pizza recipe..! i'd love to try this recipe. but i see the comments that people dislike eggplant pizza :)

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