An iconic dish that epitomizes the essence of Italian cuisine? Eggplant parmesan. While the genuine Italian connection to eggplant parmesan, or Melanzane alla Parmigiana, remains somewhat controversial, what is not contested is the gastronomic delight of tomato-bathed tender eggplant strewn in melty cheese. This skillet version does away with the battering and frying of individual eggplant slices in favour of composing the dish in a single pan to make it a more accessible weeknight dish. A popular food in Italian kitchens, cannellini beans add some heft and protein to the meal.
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Say cheese
Ideally, you want to use grated cheese from a fresh mozzarella ball instead of brick or pre-shredded cheese as it will melt better under the broiler. The same rule applies when making other Italian favourites like pizza or lasagna.
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This recipe was originally published in the April 2025 issue of alive magazine.