Ricotta Eggplant Casserole

 

Ingredients

• 3 eggplants
• olive oil spray
• 3 cups tomato passata or marinara
• 2 tbsp fresh oregano leaves chopped
• 2 tsp fresh basil leaves chopped
• 14 oz fresh ricotta cheese 400 g
• 1.5 cup parmesan cheese, grated, divided into 1 cup + ½ cup (about 5.5 oz - 155 grams total)
• 3 eggs
• sea salt and freshly cracked pepper

Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 430F ( 220C).

2. Remove eggplants' ends and slice them thinly lengthwise (about 5 millimetres or 0.2 inches thick). 

3. Arrange eggplant slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. You may need to use two baking sheets or bake eggplants in two batches depending on the size of your oven.

4.  Spray with olive oil and season with salt and freshly cracked pepper. Bake for 25 minutes then remove from the oven and set aside. They will look a bit dry, it's normal (but they will actually be super tender).

5. In a bowl, combine tomato passata, 1 tablespoon of oregano and 2 teaspoons of basil.
6. In another bowl, mix together ricotta, 1 cup parmesan, eggs and the remaining oregano (1 tablespoon). Set aside.

7. In a 9×13' (23×33 cm)baking dish, arrange one layer of eggplant, one layer of tomato sauce and one layer of cheese mixture. Repeat with another layer of eggplant, tomato sauce and finish with cheese mixture. Sprinkle with remaining parmesan (½ cup).

8.  Bake at 430F - 220C for 30 minutes or until cheese is golden brown. Please note that all ovens are different: keep an eye on the casserole and if it starts browning too much, reduce the oven temperature to 355F (180C).

9. Remove from the oven, cool slightly and then slice.

www.notenoughcinnamon.com

Joke - Cow bow Boots

  

A Florida couple, Marge and Doug, moved to Texas.

Doug always wanted a pair of authentic cowboy boots, so, seeing some on sale, he bought them and wore them home.

Walking proudly, he sauntered into the kitchen and said to his wife, “Notice anything different about me?”

Marge looked him over, “Nope.”

Frustrated, Doug stormed off into the bathroom, undressed and walked back into the kitchen completely naked except for the boots.

Again he asked Marge, a little louder this time, “Notice anything different NOW?”

Marge looked up and exclaimed, “Doug, what’s different? It’s hanging down today, it was hanging down yesterday, it’ll be hanging down again tomorrow!”

Furious, Doug yelled, “AND DO YOU KNOW WHY IT’S HANGING DOWN, MARGE?”

“Nope,” she replied.

“IT’S HANGING DOWN, BECAUSE IT’S LOOKING AT MY NEW BOOTS!!!!”

Without changing her expression, Marge replied, “Shoulda bought a hat, Doug. Shoulda bought a hat.”