[WATCH] Timbale of aubergines with Fontina cheese and tomato

Watch Sean Gravina make a timbale of aubergines, a twist on the classic parmigiana.

Timbale of aubergines with Fontina cheese and tomato

Ingredients

• 3 large aubergines
• 3 eggs, beaten
• Salt and pepper
• Flour, for dusting
• Olive oil, for frying
• 15 basil leaves
• 250g Parmesan, grated
• 100g Fontina cheese

Sauce

• 1 garlic clove, finely chopped
• 5 tbsp olive oil
• 800g polpa di pomodoro or chunky passata
• 4-5 basil leaves, torn

Method

1. Cut the aubergines into 1cm slices and immerse in cold water for 1 minute, then drain and pat dry.
2. Season the eggs with salt.
3. Dust the aubergines slices with flour and then dip into the beaten eggs.
4. Heat a film of olive oil in a large frying pan and fry the aubergine slices until golden on each side.
5. Drain on kitchen paper and set aside.
6. Preheat the oven to 200°C.
7. To make the sauce, fry the garlic in the olive oil, then add the tomato pulp and basil.
8. Simmer for 15-20 mins, then season with salt to taste.
9. To assemble the timbale, spread 2-3 tbsp of the tomato sauce over the bottom of a suitable baking dish.
10. Cover with a layer of aubergine slices, some more sauce, a little basil and plenty of Parmesan and slices of Fontina cheese.
11. Repeat until the ingredients are used up, finishing with tomato sauce and Parmesan and Fontina.
12. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes until golden and bubbling. Leave to stand for 5 minutes or so, then serve cut into squares.

This recipe first appeared on Gourmet Today TV, aired on TVM on 29 May, 2015.