Eggplant Parm Alla Vodka

Ingredients

• 2 Eggplant (large; sliced into 3/4 inch slices lengthwise; salted)
• 2 cups All-Purpose Flour
• 4 Egg (whole)
• 1 cup Panko
• 1 cup Italian Breadcrumbs
• 4 cups Parmesan (grated; divided (1 cup for breading, 1 cup for sauce, 2 cups for assembly))
• 1 Vegetable Oil (for frying)
• 1 Sea Salt (flakey; for seasoning)
• ¼ cup Olive Oil
• 1 tsp Calabrian Chili Paste
• 10 Garlic (cloves; thinly sliced)
• 1 tbsp Tomato Paste
• ¼ cup Vodka
• 28 oz Whole Peeled Tomatoes (in juice; crushed by hand)
• 1 cup Heavy Cream
• 1 Kosher Salt (to taste)
• 1 Black Pepper (freshly ground; to taste)
• 3 Mozzarella (balls; fresh)

Instructions

1. 1

   Slice the eggplants into 3/4 inch thick slices lengthwise. Salt them and let them sit briefly.

2. 2

   Prepare a breading station with three shallow dishes: one with all-purpose flour, one with the four beaten eggs, and one with a mixture of Panko, Italian breadcrumbs, and 1 cup of grated parmesan.

3. 3

   Dredge each eggplant slice in flour, dip into the egg, and then coat thoroughly with the breadcrumb mixture.

4. 4

   Heat vegetable oil in a pan and fry the eggplant slices until golden brown and crispy. Drain on a wire rack and season immediately with flakey sea salt.

5. 5

   In a separate large pan, heat the olive oil over medium heat. Add the sliced garlic and cook until slightly golden. Add the Calabrian chili paste and tomato paste, stirring for a minute.

6. 6

   Deglaze the pan with vodka (flambé carefully if desired) and simmer until reduced by half.

7. 7

   Add the hand-crushed tomatoes with their juice. Simmer for about 10-15 minutes until the sauce thickens slightly.

8. 8

   Stir in the heavy cream and 1 cup of grated parmesan. Season with kosher salt and black pepper to taste.

9. 9

   Place the fried eggplant slices on a baking tray. Top each with a generous spoonful of vodka sauce, 2 cups of grated parmesan (divided among slices), and slices of fresh mozzarella.

10. 10

    Place under the oven broiler until the cheese is melted, bubbly, and browned to perfection.