Skip to content

Robert St. John

Restaurateur, author, enthusiastic traveler, & world-class eater.

Eggplant Casserole

Ingredients

2 Eggplant, medium size
¼ cup Bacon grease (or canola oil)
1 cup Onion, small dice
2 cups Red bell pepper, small dice
1 cup Tomatoes, diced, peeled and seeded
½ cup Celery, small dice
1 Tbsp Garlic, minced
1 tsp Dried basil
½ tsp Dried oregano
2 cups Mushroom Béchamel Sauce
2 cups Corn flake crumbs
¼ cup Butter, melted

Instructions

This recipe calls for Mushroom Béchamel Sauce. You can find that recipe here. 

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Place eggplant on baking sheet and bake 20 minutes. Rotate and continue baking 20 minutes more. Remove and allow to cool.

Using a paring knife peel the skin from the eggplant. Cut eggplant into two-inch cubes.

Place the bacon grease in a large skillet over high heat. When the oil is very hot add eggplant to brown. Add onion, bell pepper, tomatoes, celery, garlic, basil and oregano. Cook for five to six minutes. Stir in Mushroom Béchamel Sauce and pour into two-quart baking dish.

Bake uncovered 40 minutes. Combine the corn flake crumbs and melted butter. Spread evenly over top of casserole and bake 10 minutes more. Remove casserole from oven and serve.

Yield: 10 – 12 servings

Recent Recipes

A Quiche for David

Quiche is French in origin, so this recipe is probably an abomination to some. My friend David Trigiani is a dual-citizen Italian is always taking a stand in the French food versus Italian food debate. Heavy whipping cream is a must, and never buy pre-shredded mozzarella. Grate your own. The same goes for parmesan cheese. Never, I repeat never buy that powdery substance in the green can. Invest in a good grater and you'll be a better cook for it. David lives in Jackson, Mississippi, but spends most of his holidays in Italy. He’s an excellent cook, though I have never eaten quiche in his home. Maybe this will inspire him, and I’ll get an invitation.

Read more

Orange Crepes with Sugared Cranberries

I prefer fruit over chocolate after a meal. Orange and cranberries are a perfect pairing, especially during the holidays. This is an excellent and easy dessert after a heavy meal. These can be served individually on small plates or in a casserole for a buffet.

Read more

Grilled Tripletail with Lump Crab and Chive Beurre Blanc

Tripletail has always been my favorite Gulf fish. The old-timers used to say, "If you can see a tripletail, you can catch a tripletail." They have this peculiar habit of floating near the surface around buoys, crab traps, and other floating objects, often lying on their sides and appearing almost lifeless. This behavior makes them easy to spot and, if you're quick with your cast, easy to hook. The meat is mild, white, and flaky—perfect for grilling. Pairing it with lump crab and a chive beurre blanc elevates this dish to something truly special.

Read more