Parmigiana (Eggplant parmesan)

To prepare the eggplant parmigiana, start by washing and drying the eggplant 1. Then with a knife remove the stem 2 and slice the eggplant lengthwise with a vegetable slicer, or alternatively with a knife, to obtain slices about 1/8' (4-5 mm) thick 3.

As you place the slices inside a colander, sprinkle them with a very small amount of coarse salt between the layers, well distributed (you can also use a little fine salt); continue this way until you finish it all 4. On top of the eggplants, place a plate with a weight on it to let the eggplants purge the excess water and slightly bitter taste, the enemy of fried food. Leave it like this for at least 1 hour. Remember to rinse the slices well under running water, one by one if necessary, to remove the salt and pat them dry before use. In the meantime, slice and cut the fiordilatte cheese into strips, after which you will have very small cubes. If you don't have another colander, you can place them on a very clean cloth 5. In the meantime, make the sauce. In a large saucepan pour a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and add the chopped onion, stir often so as not to burn it and let it brown for a couple of minutes 6.

Then add the tomato puree 7 and a little water, the salt 8  and let it simmer for 45 minutes. When finished cooking do not forget to add the basil leaves by hand 9.

Heat plenty of vegetable oil and in the meantime rinse the portion of eggplant that you are going to fry 10 and dry it with oil blotting paper: always proceed a little at a time so they do not darken 11. Fry a few slices at a time 12 in boiling oil at 340° F (170° C). 

After cooking 2-3 minutes, drain on absorbent paper 13; do the same with all the others. At this point you should have everything you need, so move on to putting it together. Cover the bottom of an 8 x 12" (20x30cm) baking dish with a little sauce 14, then make the first layer by arranging the eggplant slices horizontally 15.

Grate some black pepper, sprinkle with parmesan cheese 16 and pour some cubes of fiordilatte cheese, distributing them evenly 17. And finally pour on a little more sauce, just enough to color the inside 18.

Repeat the same procedure this time by arranging the eggplant slices on top 19; continue this way to make the layers by inverting the direction of the slices each time 20. Between layers, remember to press gently with the palms of your hands in order to compact them. On the last layer pour the remaining tomato puree 21, 

the cubes of fiordilatte and parmesan cheese 22. Now it's time to bake your eggplant parmigiana in a hot oven at 400° F (200° C) for 40 minutes 23. Once ready, let it cool a few minutes before serving 24.