I adapted this recipe from one I found on Martha Stewart’s website. I don’t think Martha is a vegan, although who knows what kind of lifestyle changes she may have made in prison. At any rate, the woman knows how to make a casserole. This is simple, good comfort food. The original recipe calls for a 9 inch square baking dish, but I didn’t have one so I used a 7×11 inch rectangular dish. My layers didn’t quite work out the same way the recipe dictates, but don’t get hung up about that because it really doesn’t matter how many rounds are in each row. I used a log of sun-dried tomato garlic polenta that I found in the organic section of the grocery store, but I think plain polenta would taste just as good. Next time I make this I’ll throw in some sautéed mushrooms as well.

 

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Eggplant and Polenta Casserole
 

Ingredients
  • 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 yellow onion, cut into ¼-inch pieces
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced
  • 1 28oz can plum tomatoes, peeled and chopped and
  • 1 14oz can diced tomatoes (you can use 2 pounds fresh tomatoes instead of canned)
  • ¼ teaspoon coarse salt
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • ¾ cup loosely packed basil leaves, chopped
  • Freshly ground pepper
  • 1¼ pounds medium eggplant, sliced into ¼-inch rounds
  • 1 18oz log precooked polenta, sliced into ¼-inch rounds

Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees. In a medium saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon oil over medium heat. Add the onion and garlic, and cook, stirring, until soft and lightly golden, about 8 minutes. Add tomatoes and salt, and cook, stirring occasionally, until sauce has thickened, about 15 minutes. Stir in vinegar and basil; season with pepper. Remove sauce from heat.
  2. Meanwhile, heat a large cast-iron skillet or grill pan over medium heat. Lightly brush eggplant slices with the remaining tablespoon oil. Working in batches, lay slices in skillet in a single layer; cook until browned and they begin to soften, 2 to 3 minutes per side. Transfer to a plate.
  3. Spoon about ½ cup tomato sauce into a 9-inch square baking dish, spreading to coat evenly. Arrange eggplant slices snugly in a single layer. Spoon about 1 cup tomato sauce over eggplant, and arrange polenta rounds in slightly overlapping slices on top. Repeat with sauce and another layer of eggplant. Finish by dotting with remaining tomato sauce.
  4. Cover with foil; bake until bubbling and juicy, about 30 minutes. Remove foil; continue baking until sauce is lightly caramelized and eggplant is tender, about 15 minutes more. Remove from oven; let cool slightly, and serve.

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