Fried Eggplant Sandwiches

Name: Fried Eggplant Sandwiches
Ingredients: 1 large, trimmed, cut into 1/2 inch rounds Eggplant Kosher Salt Fresh Ground Pepper For Frying Vegetable oil 1/3 cup All Purpose White Flour 2 large Eggs Panko, 1 1/2 cups Breadcrumbs 4 tbsp grated Parmesan 1 jar Rao’s Homemade® Tomato Basil Sauce 8 thin slices Provolone 1 cup, fresh Basil 4, sesame seeded Hamburger buns

Our best eggplant parm in sandwich form. Stacks of breaded and fried eggplant slices smothered in tomato basil sauce and gooey, melted provolone cheese. Serve on a toasted bun with extra red sauce and a few extra napkins.

Ingredients

1 large, trimmed, cut into 1/2 inch rounds Eggplant
Kosher Salt
Fresh Ground Pepper

For Frying

Vegetable oil
1/3 cup All Purpose White Flour
2 large Eggs
Panko, 1 1/2 cups Breadcrumbs
4 tbsp grated Parmesan
1 jar Rao’s Homemade^® Tomato Basil Sauce
8 thin slices Provolone
1 cup, fresh Basil
4, sesame seeded Hamburger buns

Directions

Season eggplant slices evenly with salt and pepper. Arrange on a paper towel-lined baking sheet and let sit 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat ½-inch of oil in a large heavy-bottomed pot to 350°.
Whisk eggs in a shallow bowl, place the flour in another shallow bowl, and the panko in another.
Pat eggplant dry, pressing between the paper towels to remove excess moisture.
Dredge eggplant in flour, tapping off excess.
Dip in eggs; coat with panko, patting to adhere.
Working in batches, carefully fry eggplant in oil, maintaining the temperature at or around 350.
Fry until the eggplant is tender and the crust is deep golden brown and crisp on all sides, about 7 minutes, turning halfway through.
Transfer to a wire rack to cool, season immediately with salt and sprinkle with parmesan. Repeat with remaining eggplant.
Preheat the oven to broil with a rack in the top third. Arrange the buns cut side up on a rimmed baking sheet.
Broil until golden about 3 to 4 minutes. Remove the top buns to plates.
Spoon a tablespoon of Rao’s Homemade^® Tomato Basil sauce over each bottom bun and stack one eggplant slice on top of the sauce.
Spoon another tablespoon of sauce over each eggplant slice.
Top with another eggplant slice and spoon another 2 tablespoons on top of each slice.
Top with provolone cheese and broil until cheese is golden and bubbly, about 3 to 4 minutes.
Top with basil and close the sandwich. Serve with extra warm tomato basil sauce.