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Italian Eggplant Backed Rice Casserole
This dish is the "re-make" of a super caloric, yet delicious recipe I learned from one of my good friend's mom. The traditional recipe is very popular in their region of Italy and we loved it. However, the original version has meatballs, pepperoni, heavy cream, and other ingredients that Mia doesn't eat. My version is healthier and tasty.
Eggplants are a good source of vitamins, minerals, dietary fiber, folic acid, potassium, and manganese. This vegetable improves digestion, bone and heart health, helps prevent anemia, cancer and manage diabetes and improves brain function.
Grilled or oven roasted are better and healthier than deep-fried.
What do you need?
1 Cup cooked rice
1/2 Cup grilled or roasted eggplants
1/4 Cup Napolitana sauce
1 Egg
15 / 20 Leaves baby spinach
4 Tbsp. Parmesan cheese
1/2 Tbsp. Onion
1/2 Tbsp. Olive oil
What to do?
Use the eggplants with the skin if they are organic. Otherwise, peel the eggplants and cut them into thin horizontal slices
Season the eggplants with salt and pepper and grill or roast them. I used a little salt, pepper, crushed garlic and olive oil because Mia likes the flavor, but cook them the way you like
When the eggplants are cooled, cut them in little pieces and set aside
For the rice, I leave it under cooked (3/4 way through) so it doesn't get too soft when it goes in the oven. You could perfectly used the left over rice from the night before. If you make it the same day, let it cool
Cut the onions and spinach in small pieces and set aside
Beat the eggs
Preheat the oven at 350 F degrees
I used a non-stick cupcake pan to bake small portions, but you could use any oven-safe dish you have
Grease the pan with the olive oil
In a medium bowl mix the rice, the eggplant, onion and spinach and tossed well
Add the egg and 3 of the for spoons into the mix and scoop it into the pan
Sprinkle the rest of the Parmesan cheese on top of the rice cakes
Bake for 15 minutes or until cook. If you want, you can broil for two minutes
Voila!
Tips, variations & more:
If your kids eat meats, you can use turkey meatballs instead of eggplants
The eggplants can be replace for any other vegetable you kids like
