Eggplant-Broccoli Rabe Parmesan - WHOA!

When you cook with your kids, it is important to build on a previous recipe. For example, in the spring, we pick and clean wild Broccoli Rabe. We freeze some for future recipes. This fall, Eggplant Parm is the big dish we enjoy from the garden. Warm and inviting, it will be a dish served throughout the holidays. This year, we combined the spring rabes with the fall eggplant. Along with the garden goodies, add some sausage and you have an amazing main entree. Try this variation of eggplant parm,  you will not be disappointed.

Ingredients.

Bag of Broccoli Rabe (roughly 1 lb.)
l - l/2 pounds of sweet or hot peppers - (sliced or crumbled)
1 red onion
Minced Garlic Cloves (3-5 cloves)
Sliced Eggplant
Olive Oil
1 pound of Mozzarella Cheese or 4 cheese Italian Blend
3 eggs (and a 1 tablespoon of heavy cream if available)
Italian Bread Crumb Mix
Course Salt and Pepper
Garlic Powder/Salt
Spaghetti Sauce (See recipe or use your own)
Crushed basil and oregano

Directions

Using a potato peeler, peel the skin off the eggplant. (Some people leave the skin on, however I prefer the skin off.) Slice into 1/8th inch slices. Setup a bowl for 3 eggs with cream and scramble. Setup another bowl with the bread crumbs, course salt, pepper, and garlic seasoning. (Tsp each or adjust to your flavor. You can also add crushed pepper flakes) Warm the skillet to a medium heat using olive oil as a base for frying. (1/8- 1/4 inch of oil) When oil is at the right temperature, fry the eggplant to a light golden brown on each side. Setup a tray with paper towels and let the eggplant sit as you prepare the broccoli rabe mixture.

Broccoli Rabe - in a cast iron skillet, coat the skillet with olive oil and garlic. Warm the skillet at a medium heat. Prepare the sausage first. Save the sausage grease and oil for the broccoli rabe. Add the minced garlic, cracked salt and pepper. Saute for 15 mins or until tender. Set aside.

In a 9x13 baking pan, set forth a layer of fried eggplant for you base. Add a layer of cheese and spaghetti sauce. Add another layer of eggplant. Next add the broccoli rabe. You can also disperse sausage crumbles in the your layers to flavor the mix. Continue this pattern until you reach within a 1/4 inch of top of the pan. The last layer should be sauce, crushed oregono, crushed basil, and parm.

Preheat the oven for 350 degrees. Bake the casserole for 45 mins to an hour. Take out of the oven and let it settle for 10-15 mins prior to serving.