Eggplant and Olive Gratin

by Leah Halmagyi

Ingredients

  • 2 large eggplants
  • ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
  • sea salt flakes and freshly-milled black pepper
  • 2 x 400g cans cherry tomatoes
  • 1 Tbsp brown sugar
  • 1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
  • 2 cups ricotta cheese
  • 1½ cups Parmesan, finely grated
  • 2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 cup black olives, halved
  • 1 bunch basil leaves

Instructions

1 Preheat oven to 180°C. Slice the eggplants 1cm thick, then fry in olive oil in a frying pan over a moderate heat, until lightly browned. Drain on kitchen paper, then season with salt and pepper. Mix the cherry tomatoes, sugar and vinegar, then season with salt. Beat the ricotta and half the Parmesan in a small bowl.
2 Build layers of eggplant, tomato sauce, cheese mix, olives and basil leaves in two-cup individual baking dishes, then finish with the remaining Parmesan. Bake for 45 minutes, until golden brown on top.