Eggplant Parmesan ๐Ÿ†๐Ÿง€:

Ingredients ๐Ÿ†
โ€“ 2 medium eggplants, sliced into 1/4-inch rounds ๐Ÿ†
โ€“ 1 teaspoon salt ๐Ÿง‚
โ€“ 1 cup all-purpose flour ๐Ÿž
โ€“ 2 large eggs, beaten ๐Ÿฅš
โ€“ 1 1/2 cups breadcrumbs (preferably Italian seasoned) ๐Ÿž
โ€“ 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese ๐Ÿง€
โ€“ 2 cups marinara sauce ๐Ÿ…
โ€“ 2 cups shredded mozzarella cheese ๐Ÿง€
โ€“ 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil (optional) ๐ŸŒฟ
โ€“ Olive oil for frying ๐Ÿซ’

Preparation ๐Ÿณ
1. Prepare Eggplants: Sprinkle the eggplant slices with salt and let them sit for 30 minutes to draw out excess moisture. Rinse and pat dry with paper towels. ๐Ÿ†๐Ÿง‚

2. Bread the Eggplant: Set up a breading station with three shallow dishes. Place the flour in one dish, the beaten eggs in another, and a mixture of breadcrumbs and grated Parmesan cheese in the third. Dip each eggplant slice in the flour, then the beaten eggs, and finally coat with the breadcrumb mixture. ๐Ÿž๐Ÿฅš๐Ÿง€

3. Fry Eggplant: In a large skillet, heat olive oil over medium heat. Fry the breaded eggplant slices in batches until golden brown and crispy, about 2-3 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels. ๐Ÿซ’๐Ÿ†

4. Assemble: Preheat your oven to 375ยฐF (190ยฐC). In a baking dish, spread a thin layer of marinara sauce on the bottom. Arrange a layer of fried eggplant slices on top. Spoon some marinara sauce over the eggplant and sprinkle with shredded mozzarella cheese. Repeat layers until all ingredients are used, ending with a layer of cheese on top. ๐Ÿ…๐Ÿง€

5. Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly and the sauce is heated through. ๐Ÿ•’๐Ÿฝ๏ธ

6. Garnish and Serve: If desired, sprinkle with chopped fresh basil before serving. Enjoy your Eggplant Parmesan warm! ๐Ÿ˜‹๐Ÿฝ๏ธ