Grilled Eggplant (involtini Il Forno)

Total Time: 40 mins Preparation Time: 15 mins Cook Time: 25 mins

Ingredients

• 1 tablespoon chopped garlic
• 1/4 cup olive oil (divided)
• 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes
• 1 tablespoon chopped fresh oregano
• 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil (divided)
• 1 (12 ounce) can crushed tomatoes
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)
• 1/4 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper (or to taste)
• 2 large eggplants, sliced lengthwise 1/2-inch thick
• 8 ounces shredded smoked mozzarella cheese
• 1/4 cup chopped italian parsley

Recipe

• 1 in a saucepan, sweat the garlic in 1 tablespoon olive oil over low heat for a few minutes. do no allow to brown.
• 2 add red pepper flakes, oregano and half the basil. cook and stir for 1 minute then add crushed tomatoes.
• 3 bring to a simmer and cook for 5 minutes.
• 4 season with salt and pepper and remove from heat.
• 5 heat a grill to high (counter top style grills should work well).
• 6 brush eggplant slices with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
• 7 grill slices 3 minutes on each side.
• 8 remove slices from grill and place on a foil lined baking sheet.
• 9 allow to cool to room temperature.
• 10 heat oven to 375 degrees.
• 11 spoon about 1 ounce of cheese on one end of each eggplant slice and roll up. let rest on seam.
• 12 brush the bottom of baking dish with remaining olive oil.
• 13 place eggplant rolls (involtini) in dish. ladle tomato sauce over top and sprinkle with the remaining basil and any remaining cheese.
• 14 bake for 15 minutes.
• 15 let rest 10 minues before serving.