eggplant pizza

Eggplant Pizza (part II)

in

Summer is right around the corner, which means it's time to stop talking about putting an end to pizza Fridays (fine, late night pizza too...) and actually do something about it! Now this is where eggplant pizza really comes in handy. It provides the same cheesy deliciousness as pizza - sans the white bread, guilt, or typical massive stomach ache that follows.  

While we've provided eggplant pizza recipes in the past, this one is mildly tweaked in effort to offer fewer steps. We know - the nicer the weather, the less time you want to spend in the kitchen. You're welcome. 

Ingredients (serves ~4):

  • 1 large eggplant
  • tomato sauce of choice (we like Trader Joe's Traditional Marinara Sauce)
  • mozzarella cheese, shredded
  • 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 
  • spices: salt, garlic powder, basil, red chili flakes (or other spices of choice) 

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees F.
  2. Slice eggplant into 1" thick discs. In separate shallow bowl, combine olive oil and a pinch of salt and garlic powder. Dip each eggplant disc into bowl, and then lay on baking sheet. Bake discs for 20 minutes.
  3. Momentarily remove eggplant sheet from oven and top eggplant discs with about 1 tablespoon of tomato sauce, and sprinkle mozzarella cheese, chili flakes, and basil (or other spices) atop each disc. Allow to bake for another ~5 minutes, or until cheese is melted to your desired consistency. 

Craving Pizza? Not A Problem

in

Eggplant pizza, people! Save yourselves the greasy aftermath of white dough and processed cheese, and get an improved version of cheesy, saucy goodness on sliced and baked eggplant. This recipe couldn't be easier to follow and is a guaranteed hit. Think of these as your Tovita-approved pizza bagels.

Ingredients: (serves about 4)

eggplant pizza
  • 1 large eggplant, sliced into 1 inch rounds
  • Olive oil spray (or enough to drizzle on eggplant rounds)
  • 1/2 tablespoon of sea salt 
  • 1/2 cup tomato sauce
  • 1 cup shredded part skim organic mozzarella
  • 10 grape tomatoes, sliced in half
  • Red pepper flakes 
  • Fresh basil to garnish

*Get creative with other pizza toppings! Mushrooms, spinach, onion… the choice is yours! 

Directions:

  1. Preheat oven to 400 degrees
  2. Lightly spray two baking sheets with oil spray or use parchment paper
  3. Lay the 1 inch eggplant rounds on the baking sheet, lightly spray both sides with oil and sprinkle with sea salt. Bake for 20 minutes
  4. Remove from oven and spread the pizza toppings (sauce, cheese, and tomatoes) on each round
  5. Set the oven to broil and put the pizzas back in for about 2 minutes until cheese is browning and melted
  6. Remove from oven and add the chili flakes, basil, or any other garnishes