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Aubergine parmigiana sandwich

Name: Aubergine parmigiana sandwich
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 2 h
Total time: 2 h 30 min
Yield: Serves 4-6
Cuisine: American recipes
Ingredients: Large slab focaccia (30cm x 20cm) cut into 4-6 equal rectangles, then each cut in half horizontally to make 2 slices for a sandwich; 2 x 100g balls best-quality burrata (see tips); A few handfuls rocket or other peppery leaves; Small handful fresh basil leaves; Best-quality olive oil and sherry vinegar to drizzle; Best-quality parmesan (or vegetarian alternative), shaved or grated; For the red sauce; 3 tbsp olive oil; 1 onion, sliced; 4 garlic cloves, sliced; 1 red chilli, deseeded and chopped; 2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes; 2 bay leaves; 1 tsp dried oregano; 2 tsp red wine vinegar; 1 tsp caster sugar; For the aubergine parmigiana; 3 large aubergines, sliced lengthways (roughly 0.5cm thick); 1 tsp fine sea salt; Splash olive oil; 100g parmesan (or vegetarian alternative), grated; 1 large handful fresh basil leaves; 125g buffalo mozzarella, grated; 30g fresh breadcrumbs; For the fermented chilli mayo; 2 medium free-range egg yolks; 1 heaped tsp dijon mustard; 1 tsp white wine vinegar; 200ml vegetable oil; 100ml extra-virgin olive oil

By: Nicholas Balfe

Published: 9 Feb 21
Updated: 18 Mar 24

London restaurateur Nicholas Balfe created this aubergine parmigiana recipe after watching – and being inspired by – Jon Favreau’s film Chef. It can be served as a main meal or in a street food-style sandwich (even better eaten on day 2).

Nicholas says: “This is one of the world’s greatest comfort-food dishes, remixed as a sandwich. We serve a version of this at my restaurant Larry’s in Peckham.”

Or, try Gennaro Contaldo’s version of classic eggplant parmigiana: baked aubergine rolls.

Medium
February 2021

Test kitchen approved

Serves 4-6
Hands-on time 30 min, simmering/oven time around 2 hours

Nicholas says: “This is one of the world’s greatest comfort-food dishes, remixed as a sandwich. We serve a version of this at my restaurant Larry’s in Peckham.”

Or, try Gennaro Contaldo’s version of classic eggplant parmigiana: baked aubergine rolls.

Vegetarian recipes

Nutrition: Per Serving (for 6)

Calories: 633 kcals
Fat: 50.9g (17.5g saturated)
Protein: 45.6g
Carbohydrates: 16.1g (10.3g sugars)
Fibre: 5.8g
Salt: 1.9g

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Ingredients

Large slab focaccia (30cm x 20cm) cut into 4-6 equal rectangles, then each cut in half horizontally to make 2 slices for a sandwich
2 x 100g balls best-quality burrata (see tips)
A few handfuls rocket or other peppery leaves
Small handful fresh basil leaves
Best-quality olive oil and sherry vinegar to drizzle
Best-quality parmesan (or vegetarian alternative), shaved or grated

For the red sauce

3 tbsp olive oil
1 onion, sliced
4 garlic cloves, sliced
1 red chilli, deseeded and chopped
2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes
2 bay leaves
1 tsp dried oregano
2 tsp red wine vinegar
1 tsp caster sugar

For the aubergine parmigiana

3 large aubergines, sliced lengthways (roughly 0.5cm thick)
1 tsp fine sea salt
Splash olive oil
100g parmesan (or vegetarian alternative), grated
1 large handful fresh basil leaves
125g buffalo mozzarella, grated
30g fresh breadcrumbs

For the fermented chilli mayo

2 medium free-range egg yolks
1 heaped tsp dijon mustard
1 tsp white wine vinegar
200ml vegetable oil
100ml extra-virgin olive oil
Fermented chilli paste to taste (see tip)

You’ll also need

Stick blender
20cm x 30cm baking dish
Food processor or mini blender

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Method

First, make the red sauce. Put the oil in a pan over a medium heat with the onion, garlic and chilli and cook for 10-12 minutes until soft and beginning to caramelise. Season with salt, then add the tinned tomatoes, herbs, vinegar, sugar and some black pepper. Bring to the boil, then simmer until the liquid has reduced by a third (15-20 minutes). Remove the bay leaves, then use a stick blender to whizz until fairly smooth. Check the seasoning and adjust if necessary.
Meanwhile, start the parmigiana. In a large bowl, toss the aubergine slices with the salt, some pepper and a splash of olive oil, then set aside in a colander for 20 minutes – there’s no need to soak or rinse.
Heat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas 6. Spread a spoonful of red sauce in the baking dish, then add a layer of aubergine. Sprinkle with a handful of parmesan and some basil, then repeat the layers until all the aubergine is used. Finish with red sauce, a layer of mozzarella followed by more basil leaves, and finally add the breadcrumbs and remaining parmesan. Grind over some black pepper, cover with foil, then bake for 20 minutes.

Remove the foil after 20 minutes and return to the oven for 30-35 minutes until the aubergines are soft and the cheese is golden. Set aside to cool completely – ideally overnight to allow the flavours to develop (see Make Ahead).
To make the chilli mayo, whizz the egg yolks, mustard, vinegar and salt in a food processor or mini blender, then trickle in the oil so it emulsifies – add a little hot water if it starts to get too thick. Add the fermented chilli paste, check the seasoning and set aside. (If you don’t have a processor/blender, use the stick blender and a bowl or jug).
To assemble and serve the sandwiches, heat the oven to 200°C/180°C fan/gas 6. Cut the parmigiana into rectangles the same size as the bread and put on an oven tray to warm through (see Make Ahead). Heat a griddle pan, then toast the cut sides of the focaccia. Drizzle olive oil over the focaccia pieces that will form the base of the sandwiches, then spread the tops with fermented chilli mayo.
Put a slice of hot parmigiana on the bottom piece of bread, tear the burrata over the top, then season with salt and pepper. Toss the rocket and basil with a little oil and sherry vinegar, then pile onto the burrata. Finish with a sprinkling of parmesan, then sandwich together and serve straightaway.