Baked Eggplant Sinatra Florentine

Saturday, September 17, 2011

I can't remember what newspaper I found this recipe in the 70's. Oldie but really goodie! I just love the flavors in this. Thanks for stopping by, I just love the name of this one too! Ciao Claudia

Baked Eggplant Sinatra Florentine
1 eggplant, sliced into 1/2 inch rounds ( salt and drain on paper towels)
2 tablespoons olive oil, or more if needed
3 cloves garlic, chopped or use granulated garlic to taste
4 large plum tomatoes, chopped
1 (10 ounce) package fresh spinach leaves
1/2 cup ricotta cheese
1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese, divided
3/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese, divided
1 small can tomato paste mixed with 1/2 cup of burgundy wine
1/2 teaspoon each garlic powder, oregano, basil, parsley
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
mix all herbs together in small bowl set aside
salt and pepper to taste
Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush eggplant with olive oil on both sides. Place on cookie sheet. Sprinkle with half the herbs listed over the top. Bake for 10 minutes.

Heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add the fresh garlic, tomatoes and spinach. Cook and stir for a few minutes until fragrant, and the tomatoes have released their juices. In a medium bowl, mix together 1/2 cup of ricotta cheese, 1/2 cup of mozzarella cheese, and 1/2 cup of Parmesan cheese. Set aside.
Place the eggplant slices in a greased baking dish. Top with spinach mixture. Spoon the cheese mixture over the spinach. Pour the tomato paste mixed with wine sauce over the cheese layer. Generously sprinkle more mozzarella and grated cheese on top plus remaining herbs. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 more minutes until browned and bubbling.

28 comments

AnonymousSeptember 17, 2011 at 1:28 AM
This is definitely dish for me.Eggplant as base bathing in lucious sauce and from teh oven..heavenly:)
FedericaSeptember 17, 2011 at 2:08 AM
I love eggplants. Your proposal is very tasty and appetizing. Bye dear, hope you have a great week end
BlackswanSeptember 17, 2011 at 4:39 AM
U've got a nice name to the dish, Claudia! Have a lovely weekend :)
CurtSeptember 17, 2011 at 8:07 AM
Very nice Claudia. Full of cheese and garlic.

Viva la Frank!
StephenCSeptember 17, 2011 at 8:52 AM
Very, very appealing. Thankyou.
GregSeptember 17, 2011 at 11:51 AM
This sounds really good. But I think if this was really Sinatra's Eggplant recipe it would have a whole bottle of wine and no eggplant.
BeckySeptember 17, 2011 at 12:40 PM
Your dish looks soo inviting, and I love the name:) now that I ahve cooked egg plant, I want to make it again. I may have to use less cheese
though. Eggplant and spinach, Yum!

Have a great weekend!
AnonymousSeptember 17, 2011 at 12:50 PM
I'm pretty much a fan of anything eggplant! Thanks!
MDBSeptember 17, 2011 at 2:15 PM
That sounds easy and delicious! I;m going to try it this weekend. Thanks Claudia!
ARLENESeptember 17, 2011 at 8:16 PM
Wow! this is something I would really enjoy. I've only ever had shrimp Sinatra and that at only one restaurant. I love all the ingredients in this dish and will have to try it soon. Thanks for sharing one of your Utica dishes with us downstaters.
redkathySeptember 17, 2011 at 8:22 PM
Beautiful display Claudia! Haven't eaten this in years. I see you don't sweat the eggplant but rather brush with oil. I'm going to try that.

Have a great weekend GF :)
Vicki BensingerSeptember 17, 2011 at 8:28 PM
I love this recipe. Spinach has always been one of my favorite vegetables, in fact when I was a kid they use to call my Popeye because I ate so much of it. I love eggplant parmesan so the two together have to be sensational. I wish I had thought of this.

I can't wait to try it. By the way I hope you and your boys are doing better now. My thoughts are with you.
ReeniSeptember 17, 2011 at 9:35 PM
I love this eggplant with spinach! Such a delicious twist! Great job recreating it. xoxo
anthony stemkeSeptember 17, 2011 at 11:08 PM
This is a lovely recipe, very tasty.
Thank You.
Lucia from MadisonSeptember 18, 2011 at 6:43 AM
This sounds very good. I might add this to this week's line up!
ThomSeptember 18, 2011 at 9:22 AM
Your Baked Eggplant dish sounds delicious Claudia. I'll have to try it. Best to you and your family!
JoanneSeptember 18, 2011 at 4:09 PM
I love stuffed eggplant but will never order it when in a restaurant. It's one of those dishes I like best when I make it myself. Do you have any of those dishes?
LizzySeptember 19, 2011 at 11:29 AM
Oh, how cheesy and delicious! Looks fabulous~
RosemarySeptember 19, 2011 at 4:35 PM
Isn't Annette Funicello from Utica? I once read that "Steak in a Paper Bag" was one of her favorite recipes. Know it?
Lana @ Never Enough ThymeSeptember 19, 2011 at 4:53 PM
I just love eggplant, but never cook it because hubby won't touch it. However...I just might make this anyway and let him fend for himself! Ha. This looks so incredibly delicious, Claudia!
Asian-spice mixSeptember 20, 2011 at 9:39 PM
I have few eggplant from my garden, i have to use them,this is great recipe idea,thanks :)
Ridwan
AnonymousSeptember 20, 2011 at 10:39 PM
Very awesome post, love the hommage to the legend. Thanks for sharing, buzzed it =]
PeggySeptember 21, 2011 at 5:38 AM
This is my kind of eggplant dish! Sounds great =)
Stephanie @ Eat. Drink. Love.September 21, 2011 at 8:05 PM
I just loved baked eggplant with yummy sauce and of course, cheese! And this is made even better with some Sinatra!!
EllieSeptember 22, 2011 at 8:22 AM
That little touch of cayenne, wonderful. Sinatra is my maiden name, I can't go wrong with this :)
CatherineSeptember 22, 2011 at 5:36 PM
Dear Claudia, I love Frank Sinatra and I love eggplant parm. a perfect combo. Catherine xo
the food dudeSeptember 23, 2011 at 7:55 AM
this looks really good, and something I think, I hope, I can do. Thanks!
Lucia from MadisonJanuary 26, 2012 at 5:29 AM
Made this last night! Wow it was wonderful. And that is one of my favorite Sinatra songs!
http://sowhatareyoumakingfordinner.blogspot.com/2012/01/baked-eggplant-sinatra-florentine.html
Thank you for sharing this recipe!