Description
Julia Child’s eggplant pizza blends French culinary techniques with Italian flavor inspiration. Creamy roasted eggplant, melted cheese, and crisp herbs create a delightful Mediterranean-style meal you’ll savor slice by slice.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 globe eggplant (about 8 oz, 227 g, 9–10 inches long)
- 1 can (14.5 oz, 411 g) petite diced tomatoes, with liquid
- ⅓ cup freshly grated parmesan cheese
- ⅓ cup finely grated mozzarella cheese
- 3 large garlic cloves, finely chopped
- 2 tbsps olive oil
- 3 tsps extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp salt
- 10 large basil leaves, thinly sliced (optional)
- 2 tsps dried italian seasoning
- ½ tsp dried italian seasoning blend
- ¼ tsp dried oregano
- Red pepper flakes (optional)
Instructions
- Preparation: Trim eggplant ends and slice into 3/4-inch rounds. Salt both surfaces and rest on paper towels for moisture extraction, approximately 30 minutes.
- Roasting Preparation: Thoroughly pat eggplant dry with fresh paper towels. Arrange rounds on parchment-lined baking sheet without overlapping. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle with Italian herb blend.
- Initial Cooking: Activate oven to 375°F (190°C). Position baking sheet on center rack and roast eggplant for 25 minutes until edges turn golden and slices maintain structural integrity.
- Topping Application: Transition oven to broil setting. Carefully spread tomato sauce across roasted eggplant, maintaining small perimeter border. Distribute fresh basil leaves and generously cover with mozzarella and Parmesan cheeses.
- Final Broiling: Position topped eggplant under broiler, monitoring closely for 4-6 minutes until cheese melts and achieves light golden-brown coloration. Remove from oven, allow brief cooling period, and optionally garnish with red pepper flakes. Serve immediately while crisp and warm.
Notes
- Dehydrate Eggplant: Salt drawing removes bitterness and excess moisture, guaranteeing crispy texture and preventing soggy pizza rounds.
- Oil Evenly: Drizzle olive oil carefully to ensure each slice gets balanced flavor and helps achieve golden, crispy edges during roasting.
- Watch Broiling Closely: Cheese can burn quickly under high heat, so monitor closely to achieve perfect golden-brown melting without charring.
- Temperature Precision: Use center oven rack for consistent roasting and broiling, ensuring even heat distribution and optimal cooking results.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 2
- Calories: 330
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 1500mg
- Fat: 26g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 20g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 18g
- Fiber: 7g
- Protein: 10g
- Cholesterol: 15mg