Aubergine, tomato & Parmesan bake (Melanzane alla Parmigiana)

Ingredients

• 2  garlic cloves crushed
• 6 tbsp olive oil 
• 800 g tomatoes chopped canned
• 2 tbsp tomato purée 
• 4  aubergines thick cut into long, 5mm slices
• 85 g parmesan freshly grated (or vegetarian alternative)
• 20 g pack basil 
• 1  eggs beaten

Equipment

• frying pan
• oven

Directions

1. Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas
2. In a shallow pan, mix together the garlic and 4 tbsp of the olive oil. Cook over a high heat for 3 mins, tip in the tomatoes, then simmer for 8 mins, stirring every now and then. Stir in the tomato pure.
3. Meanwhile, heat a griddle pan until very hot.
4. Brush a few of the aubergines with a little oil, then add to the pan. Cook over a high heat until well browned and cooked through, about 5-7 mins. Turn them halfway through cooking. Lift onto kitchen paper and do the next batch.
5. When all the aubergines are cooked, lay a few of them in the bottom of an ovenproof dish, then spoon over some sauce.
6. Sprinkle with Parmesan and basil leaves.
7. Add seasoning, then repeat this process with the remaining ingredients. Finally, pour the egg over the top, sprinkle over a little more Parmesan, then bake for 20 mins or until the topping is golden.