Dishin’ With Denise… Parm “Me” A Burger

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Denise Gianatasio is a Northport Village resident and freelance writer. She is a licenced agent at Signature Premier 
Properties, Gold Circle of Excellence, 
172 Main Street, Northport 631-754-3600. Denise enjoys cooking and sharing her recipes and family stories, as she wants to inspire a warm sense of home with her readers. Please feel free to contact her for any advice you may need at dishinwithdenise@yahoo.com.

As we swing back into the busiest time of summer~” Back to school”~ Here’s a great easy dinner solution that everyone will love. Eggplant parmesan~ burger, with its tasty iconic flavor served on a hamburger roll. The farms are rolling in these nutritional purple glossy vegetables right now ~ with a number of varieties and colors. Eggplants are a wonderful source of phytonutrients and have long been known to boost cognitive activity and increase blood flow to the brain~ boosting memory power and analytic thinking! Wow! If that’s not a great start to back to school~ the taste will surely do! Parm to bun inspired. Hope the kid’s had a great summer to remember! New clothes, backpacks, sneakers, supplies and your Delicious, Happy send off!

• Look for 2 smaller eggplants (as they make the perfect slice to fit on a bun)
• Seeded soft Hamburger Rolls
• 5 beaten eggs, plus 1/3 cup water and  ¼ cup olive oil well beaten
• 2 cups seasoned bread crumbs tossed with ½ cup grated cheese
• 8 ounces fresh mozzarella cheese sliced thin
• Homemade marinara sauce
• Fresh sliced tomatoes
• Fresh whole leaf basil

I partially peel my eggplants and slice into discs. Dip into egg mixture and press into bread crumbs on both sides. Layer singles on a cookie sheet and bake at 375 degree oven until soft and golden. (About 30 minutes) This can be done the day before and refrigerated till ready. Heat up your sauce and spoon on each eggplant and both sides of the roll. Top with the fresh mozzarella, basil and fresh sliced tomato! Now that’s a Burger! Here’s to a great new School Year!   XO Denise