Eggplant Parm Empanadas

Serves: 5

Hosea Feil

1 January 1970

Based on User reviews:

51

Spice

49

Sweetness

41

Sourness

43

mins

Prep time (avg)

5.3

Difficulty

Ingredients:

4 large

Egg (beaten)

2 tbsps

Olive Oil

3 cloves

Garlic (minced)

1 large

Egg

Directions:

1

For the eggplant: Slice the eggplant in half lengthwise, and then into 1/4-inch half-moon slices

2

Put on a cookie sheet lined with paper towels and sprinkle with salt

3

Allow the salt to extract some of the moisture from the eggplant slices for at least 10 minutes while you prep the rest of your ingredients

4

Take three plates and fill one with the flour, one with the beaten eggs and the third with the breadcrumbs

5

Dry the eggplant slices with the paper towels

6

Then coat each slice in the flour, then the eggs and finishing with the breadcrumbs

7

Allow these slices to rest for a minute; this will make the coating stick a little better and dry out to make a crispier crunch

8

Coat a large nonstick skillet over medium heat with enough vegetable oil for shallow frying

9

Fry the eggplant slices in batches until golden brown, about 3 minutes on each side

10

Remove from the oil and drain on paper towels

11

Season with salt and pepper as soon as soon as they come out

12

Allow to cool completely

13

For the tomato concasse: In a saute pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat

14

Add the onions, oregano and chile flakes if using, and cook until translucent, about 3 minutes

15

Add the garlic and cook for another minute

16

Add the tomatoes, lower the heat and simmer until the sauce is thick and chunky, about 10 minutes

17

Cool completely

18

For the empanadas: Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F

19

Roll out each sheet of puff pastry dough to a 12-by-12-inch square and cut four 6-inch rounds out of each sheet

20

Place 1 slice eggplant in the middle of the dough round

21

Top with a tablespoon of tomato concasse, followed by a piece of the mozzarella cheese

22

Fold the dough over and seal using the back of a fork

23

Whisk the egg with a little water and brush the empanadas

24

Sprinkle a little dried oregano and the Parmesan on the tops

25

Bake until golden, about 15 minutes

26

Puree the remaining tomato concasse; that'll be your dipping sauce for the empanadas