This melanzane is nothing short of spectacular

We love this comforting melanzane for many reasons – layers of cheese, oodles of flavour, and because it works as a midweek meal and a showstopping vegetarian main on the weekend. 

SHOP THE RECIPE

Melanzane

Serves 4–6 
Preparation: 30 minutes 
Cooking: 1 hour 10 minutes

Ingredients:

  • 10 baby brinjals or 4-6 big ones 
  • 6 T olive oil 
  • Sea salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 8 garlic cloves
  • 1 t chopped chilli
  • 3 x 400 g cans Woolworths Cherry Tomatoes
  • 1 t dried oregano
  • 400 g mozzarella, sliced into rounds
  • 1 x 250 g tub Woolworths Fresh Soft Ricotta
  • 100 g Parmesan, grated
  • Basil, for serving 
     

Method:

  1. Preheat the oven to 200C.
  2. Slice the brinjals https://www.woolworths.co.za/prod/Food/Fruit-Vegetables-Salads/Fresh-Vegetables/Marrows-Brinjals/Brinjals-350-g/_/A-20185831 into 2 cm-thick rounds. Divide between 2 trays, drizzle with 3 T olive oil, season and bake for 30 minutes, or until well browned. 
  3. Place the garlic in a saucepan with the remaining olive oil and fry until golden. Add the chilli and fry for a further minute. 
  4. Add the tomatoes and oregano and cook for 20 minutes. Season and remove from the heat. 
  5. Spoon some of the tomato mixture into an ovenproof dish. Top with a third of the brinjals and half of the ricotta, then repeat and add half the sliced mozzarella. Repeat. 
  6. Top the final layer with more tomato sauce, ricotta and Parmesan. Bake for 40 minutes. Serve with more Parmesan and basil. 

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