Vegane knusprige Ofenaubergine

Zutaten

• 1 1/2 c Panko breadcrumbs
• 1/3 c neutral oil (such as grapeseed oil)
• 1 (1 lb) eggplant (peeled and cut into 1/3 in thick slices)
• 1 c (115 gr) fresh or frozen corn kernels
• 1 1/4 c white cheese sauce (store-bought or homemade - recipe follows)
• 1/4 c fresh Mint leaves
• 3/4 tsp salt
• 3/4 tsp pepper
• 1/2 c cashews
• 1 tsp apple cider vinegar
• 1/2 tsp onion powder
• 1/2 tsp garlic powder
• 1/4 tsp salt
• 1/2 c water

Zubereitung

1. 1

   --- For the eggplant ---

2. 2

   Preheat the oven to 400 F and line a baking sheet with a parchment paper. Add Panko breadcrumbs to a shallow bowl along with 2 tbsp of oil, 1/4 tsp of salt and 1/4 tsp of pepper. Toss to combine.

3. 3

   Brush both sides of eggplant rounds with 1/4 cup of oil and season with 1/2 tsp of salt and 1/4 tsp of pepper. Drop each eggplant round into breadcrumbs, coating only one side of it. Place the eggplant, Panko side down on a baking sheet.

4. 4

   Brush the eggplant tops with about 1 - 1/2 teaspoon of white cheese sauce and sprinkle with about 2 tbsp of breadcrumbs.

5. 5

   Bake for 10-15 minutes until eggplant is tender and breadcrumbs turned light brown.

6. 6

   Place 3-4 eggplant rounds on a plate, sprinkle with 1 tablespoon of toasted corn and drizzle with 2-3 tablespoons of white cheese sauce. Top with fresh mint leaves and serve.

7. 7

   --- For the corn ---

8. 8

   Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a medium skillet and over medium heat. Add corn kernels, 1/4 tsp of salt and 1/4 tsp of pepper and cook corn stirring occasionally until it looks toasty on the sides, about 7 minutes. Transfer corn to a bowl.

9. 9

   --- For white cheese sauce ---

10. 10

    Soak cashews in water for 4 hours OR add them to a pot filled with 1 cup of water. Put on a stove, bring to a boil and cook on a medium heat for 3 minutes. Drain the cashews.

11. 11

    Add cashews to a bowl of food processor along with apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and 1/2 cup of water. Process until the sauce is smooth and without chunks.