Dinner Tonight: Eggplant Parmesan With Creamed Spinach

eggplant_parmesan1
Editors of Vegetarian Times•

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Trust the food editors at Vegetarian Times to supply you with a diverse, delicious repertoire of plant-based recipes. When you simply can't make another pasta or stir-fry, pop open the Plant-Powered Protein Cookbook and learn a new favorite. Get an extra serving of greens in by serving this eggplant parmesan with creamed spinach. 

Colorful creamed spinach replaces some of the ooey-gooey factor of the excess cheese that usually goes on top of this Italian classic.

Reprinted with permission from Plant-Powered Protein Cookbook

Dinner Tonight: Eggplant Parmesan With Creamed Spinach
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Apen the Plant-Powered Protein Cookbook and learn a new favorite. Get an extra serving of greens in by serving this eggplant parmesan with creamed spinach.
Prep Time
25
minutes
Cook Time
40
minutes
Servings
0
servings
Ingredients
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup panko breadcrumbs
  • 1/2 cup grated Parmesan cheese
  • 1 large egg
  • 4 3/4-inch-thick center-cut eggplant slices
  • 1 9-ounce bag frozen spinach
  • 1 ounce reduced-fat cream cheese
  • 3/4 cup prepared refrigerated thick marinara sauce
  • 1/2 cup packed coarsely grated mozzarella or fontina cheese
Directions
  1. Position rack in center of oven, and preheat to 375°F. Coat baking sheet with cooking spray.
  2. Place flour in pie dish or soup plate. Add panko and Parmesan to second pie dish or soup plate; whisk to blend. Reserve 2 tablespoons of panko mixture. Add egg to third pie dish or soup plate; whisk to blend. Season eggplant with salt and pepper, if desired. Coat slices with flour, then egg, then panko mixture; press to adhere. Coat slices on both sides with cooking spray, and arrange on baking sheet.
  3. Bake eggplant 12 minutes, or until bottoms are brown and crisp. Loosen slices from sheet, and flip over. Bake 12 to 13 minutes longer, or until both sides are brown and crisp, and eggplant is tender.
  4. Meanwhile, coat large skillet with cooking spray; add spinach. Toss over medium-high heat 2 to 3 minutes, or until wilted. Scrape into towel-lined sieve, and firmly press out excess liquid. Transfer spinach to work surface, and finely chop.
  5. Recoat skillet with cooking spray. Add spinach, cream cheese, and 1 tablespoon reserved panko mixture. Cook over medium-high heat 3 to 4 minutes, or until mixture is very thick, adding remaining 1 tablespoon reserved panko (if necessary) to thicken.
  6. Spread marinara sauce atop eggplant on baking sheet. Spoon or spread spinach over top, leaving border of sauce visible. Sprinkle with mozzarella, and bake 4 to 5 minutes, or until topping is heated through.
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