Instructions

  1. SAUCE: Coat bottom of a large pot with olive oil.
  2. Add onions, celery, and garlic and saute until tender about 5 minutes.
  3. Stir in canned tomatoes, paste, spices and wine. (optional)Taste of sauce is bitter you can add 1 teaspoon sugar.
  4. Bring to boil; reduce heat and simmer for 1 hour.
  5. Stir and stir and stir.
  6. EGGPLANT: In a gallon size zip-lock bag place flour, salt and pepper seal give a shake then add eggplant to coat.
  7. Mix eggs and buttermilk in bowl.
  8. Dip slices of dusted eggplant into egg mixture.
  9. In the same bag with the left over flour add seasoned breadcrumbs to it.
  10. Then dip eggplant into bag of seasoned breadcrumbs to coat them.
  11. Place breaded eggplant onto oil sprayed cookie sheets and bake in 400 degree oven for 10 minutes on each side.
  12. Cheese mixture: mix all together.
  13. Assemble casserole: Place some sauce on bottom of pan, follow with eggplant, then cheese, then sauce layering till all is used.
  14. Top with extra grated cheese.
  15. Bake in oven at 325 degrees for 30 minutes.
  16. Serve with crisp Italian Bread and green salad.