Active Time

　　40 min

　　Total Time

　　1 hr

　　In the waste-not mentality of Italian cucina povera, panfried patties made with eggs and bread crumbs are a great use for leftover eggplant parmigiana ingredients. In fact, the patties are so incredibly delicious that we made them the crisp showstoppers in this fun reconstruction.

　　

Ingredients

Serves 4 (Main course)

　　

For Tomato Sauce:

2 tablespoons olive oil

　　1 small onion, finely chopped

　　1 garlic clove, minced

　　1 (14-ounce) can whole tomatoes in juice

　　1/2 cup water

　　1/2 teaspoon sugar

　　3 tablespoons finely chopped basil

　　

For Eggplant Stacks:

2 (1-pound) eggplants

　　6 tablespoons olive oil, divided, plus additional for drizzling

　　3/4 cup plain dry bread crumbs

　　1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano

　　1/2 cup finely chopped flat-leaf parsley

　　2 garlic cloves, minced, divided

　　6 large eggs, lightly beaten

　　1/2 cup water

　　1/4 teaspoon hot red-pepper flakes

　　1/2 pound arugula, coarse stems discarded, coarsely chopped

　　1 cup packed basil leaves, coarsely chopped

　　1/2 pound cold fresh mozzarella, ends trimmed and remainder cut into 4 (1/2-inch-thick) slices

　　

Make tomato sauce:

Step 1

Heat oil in a heavy medium saucepan over medium heat until it shimmers, then cook onion and garlic, stirring occasionally, until softened, about 6 minutes.

　　

Step 2

Meanwhile, blend tomatoes with juice in a blender until almost smooth. Add to onion mixture in saucepan with water, sugar, and 1/4 teaspoon salt and simmer, partially covered, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, about 10 minutes. Stir in basil and keep warm, covered.

　　

Bake eggplant:

Step 3

Preheat oven to 450°F with rack in lowest position.

　　

Step 4

Cut 12 (1/3-inch-thick) rounds from widest portion of eggplants. Brush both sides with 2 tablespoons oil and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt (total). Bake on an oiled baking sheet, turning once, until golden and tender, 20 to 30 minutes. Transfer to a plate and keep warm, covered. Leave oven on.

　　

Make egg patties and sauté arugula:

Step 5

Stir together bread crumbs, parmesan, parsley, half of garlic, and 1/4 teaspoon each of salt and pepper, then stir in eggs and water.

　　

Step 6

Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium heat until it shimmers. Drop 4 rounded 1/3 cups of egg mixture into skillet and cook, turning once, until patties are golden brown and puffed, about 5 minutes. Transfer to paper towels to drain.

　　

Step 7

Add remaining tablespoon oil to skillet and cook remaining garlic with red-pepper flakes, stirring, until garlic is golden, about 30 seconds. Add arugula and basil and stir until just wilted, then stir in 1/8 teaspoon salt.

　　

Assemble stacks:

Step 8

Arrange 4 egg patties about 3 inches apart on a baking sheet. Top each with 2 Tbsp tomato sauce, 1 slice mozzarella, 1 eggplant slice, 2 more tablespoons tomato sauce, another eggplant slice, arugula mixture, and remaining eggplant. Bake until cheese melts, 5 to 10 minutes. Drizzle with additional oil and serve remaining sauce on the side.