Eggplant Parmesan

I have always wanted to try eggplant Parmesan, and finally got the courage to try it. It was pretty good, I don't think I picked a great eggplant and will definitely try it again with a better one (once I figure out how to pick one!!)

James loved this and raved about it (I take it as a compliment if he tells the guys out at work about how good it was)

I took ideas from a bunch of different eggplant recipes and this is what I got.

2 eggplants peeled and thinly sliced

2 beaten eggs in small bowl

3 cups panko crumbs seasoned with a little salt, pepper, garlic, and Italian seasoning

3 cups Italian blend cheese (divided)

Sauce:

1 tablespoon olive oil
half sweet onion chopped
2 cloves or 2 tsp minced garlic
1 14.5 ounce can peeled and diced tomatoes (I like petite diced)
1 8 ounce can tomato sauce
3 Tbsp white sugar
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon Tabasco

3 Tbsp seedless blackberry or raspberry jam (weird, I know)

In a saucepan bring to a boil all ingredients for the marinara sauce and let simmer for 30 minutes while you are preparing the eggplant.

Dredge eggplant in eggs then through crumbs. On a baking sheet, put eggplant under broiler for 3-5 minutes on each side, just until lightly browned.

Put a layer on bottom of 9x13 pan. Pour 3 cups sauce over eggplant, then cover with 1 cup cheese and repeat the layers ending in cheese.

Bake in preheated oven at 350 degrees for 30 minutes.

Blogging Block

Why am I having such a darn tough time blogging lately? I have the time!!

Things are really slow around here lately I guess. The only big thing going on is figuring out the beginnings of Super Saturday, which so far are running really smooth.

I have been trying a lot of new recipes and making some up on my own which have turned out sooo good. When I am finally out of this "blogging block" I will post all my recipes that I have been playing around with.

Gabe now has a whole slew of knock knock jokes now and is loving school and playing with his friends.

Nolan is talking in sentences now and is really enjoying his time with mommy and daddy while Gabe is at school, he helps with cleaning and sorting clothes (not really but tries)

James got another calling and is the Priests advisor at church which he is very excited about. He is also taking a lot of over time, but is nice on the paycheck, but the boys sure miss him and so do I :( We always use his days off to really spend time with the boys and with each other.

We have a fun weekend planned, so at least I will have something to blog about on Monday!! Hopefully I will be out of my rut by then and will post my recipes!!