Easy Grain-Free Eggplant Parmesan

Perfectly cooked eggplant rounds are submerged in a delicious marinara sauce and loaded with good quality cheeses. This easy, no-grain version will become a staple in your home.

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Variety, Variety, Variety

For years now, I’ve enjoyed stepping out into my garden to pick my heirloom and wild varieties of tomatoes, cucumbers and all the nightshades of the world. It was sorrowfully missed this year as we spent most of the summer gearing up to move across town. But living in California, there is no shortage of fresh and perfectly ripe produce. The other day my mom came in with a large bag of freshly picked eggplants from a local U-Pick farm. They are the perfect miniature size too, making it convenient for small dishes. It was also a pleasant change to my home-grown variety as I always prefered the long Japanese eggplants, which are perfect for grilling. The ones from the farm looked more like Indian or Baby eggplant, showcasing their classic eggplant shape.

The Eggplant

Nevertheless, there’s always a slew of recipes to test with eggplants. They are so versatile and I love that they also happen to be chock full of nutrition. These humble nightshades contain certain essential phyto-nutrients which helps improve blood circulation and brain function. They also contain iron, calcium, fiber and other minerals required by the body. As is the case with majority of vegetables, most of the nutrition is found in the skin. That’s why I don’t bother peeling the eggplants. As long as they are not sprayed with toxic chemicals, I feel comfortable eating the skin of the eggplant as well.

Always the Cheese

This Italian-inspired side dish boasts the delicious flavors of marinara sauce and cheese but the star of the show is inevitably the eggplant. Dipped in beaten eggs and dredged in cassava flour, the eggplant rounds are baked in a pre-heated oven before dressing up with the sauce and cheese. Always the cheese. Can I let you in on a secret? We love cheese around here. If you’re not sensitive and you get your hands on the best quality in town, cheese can be a super food. I have a few pounds of raw cheddar from grass fed milk that we buy in bulk on a quarterly basis but I would never use this precious {raw} commodity in a dish that will be heated. Thankfully, Costco supplies our cheese fascination. They have amazing selection with the best local dairy companies. And you know how I love supporting local farms.