Eggplant Elegante

Eggplant casserole combines eggplant, sauteed onion and green pepper, bacon, and chopped tomatoes. Breadcrumbs and melted butter top off this elegant dish before baking.

Ingredients -

1 large Eggplant, peeled and diced
1/2 teaspoon Salt
8 slices Bacon, fried and crumbled
1 medium Green Bell Pepper, diced
1 medium Onion, diced
1 (15 ounces) can Chopped or Diced Tomatoes
Salt and Pepper, to taste
Breadcrumbs
1/4 cup melted Butter or Margarine

Preparation:

1. Preheat oven to 325 F.

2. Add eggplant to saucepan. Cover with water and ½ teaspoon salt. Bring to boil over medium high heat. Boil 10 minutes.

3. Drain eggplant thoroughly.

4. Saute onion and green pepper in small skillet. Add bacon and diced tomatoes.

5. Add eggplant. Toss to combine.

6. Spoon mixture into casserole dish. Sprinkle breadcrumbs over top of eggplant.

7. Drizzle breadcrumbs with melted butter.

8. Bake 45 minutes.

Cooking Tip

Bacon

Recipe works best when all excess fat is removed from bacon. Choose your favorite variety of bacon, fry it crisp and then drain very well on paper towels before crumbling.

Cooking Tip

Choosing Eggplant

Eggplant should be shiny and bruise free. Flesh should bounce back when lightly pressed on with fingers.