Eggplant and Tomato Bake

Ingredients

• 3 large eggplants (I used the big dark purple ones)
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt (I used the large cyrstal sea salt)
• 2 onions (I used Vedalias and chopped them into cubes)
• 2 garlic cloves (crushed)
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1 teaspoon dried basil
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 (10 3/4 ounce) can tomato puree
• 1/4 cup filtered water
• 1 pinch black pepper (ground, I used smoked black pepper)
• 16 ounces plain low-fat yogurt
• 1/4 cup ian's panko (Italian is best here)
• 2 tablespoons grated parmesan cheese

Directions

1. 1

   Cut the eggplants into 1/4 inch slices, lightly salt. Let sit for 30 minutes to release the bitter taste.

2. 2

   In the meantime, in a large skillet, saute your garlic and onions in the olive oil over low heat.

3. 3

   This step took a long time, I spent about 35 minutes doing the above step. When the onion/garlic combo are golden and soft then its ready.

4. 4

   Add the herbs, tomato puree, water, salt and pepper to the onion/garlic mixture.

5. 5

   Simmer for 10 minutes.

6. 6

   Rinse the eggplant with water and then steam. The recipe didn't say how long to steam so I did it for about 15-20 minutes.

7. 7

   Then preheat your oven to 350'F. Grease a 9x13x2 inch casserole dish. I used spray oil.

8. 8

   Spread 3 tablespoons of the tomato puree onto the bottom of the oiled pan. It doesn't seem like much, but its good enough.

9. 9

   Layer 1/3 of the steamed eggplant, 1/3 of the tomato puree, and 1/3 of the yogurt. Repeat the layers and end with eggplant and then tomato puree.

10. 10

    Cover the pan with foil and bake for 30 minutes.

11. 11

    Then, uncover and sprinkle with the bread crumbs and cheese.

12. 12

    Bake an additional 25 minutes or until golden and bubbly.

13. 13

    Bon Appetit!