Instructions

1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Line a large baking sheet with paper towels.
2. Slice the eggplant into rounds between 1/4″ and 1/2″ thick, as desired. Place the rounds onto the paper towels and let stand 30 minutes to absorb some of the excess moisture.
3. Grab three shallow but wide bowls, or alternatively two plates and one bowl. In one dish, place the coconut flour, in the second bowl the eggs and heavy cream, and the parmesan in the last container.
4.  Beat the heavy cream and egg together to make an egg wash.
5. Evenly divide the seasoning between the coconut flour, the beaten egg wash, and the parmesan cheese. Mix the spices into each.
6. Step one is to lightly roll each round in the coconut flour. You want a good dusting on the eggplant, but not a thick layer, so be sure to tap off any excess.
7. Step two is to dip each floured round into the egg wash, being sure to coat completely, then letting any excess drip back down into the bowl.
8. Step three is to roll or dredge the eggplant in the seasoned parmesan to cover well, again tapping off any excess. You may need to press it into the eggplant a little. That’s OK.
9. Repeat the triple breading steps with each eggplant round, and place aside on a plate until ready to fry.
10. In a large pan, heat your chosen oil over medium. You want a good 1/2 inch of liquid oil in the bottom of the pan.
11. Once it is hot enough that a drop of water sizzles when dropped into the pan, it is ready. Add the rounds, a few at a time, to the pan to fry. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan. When in doubt, fewer is almost always better.
12. DO NOT WALK AWAY. Watch your eggplant! When the first side is golden brown, and a good crust is formed (it should look very close to a unified piece of breading), flip and continue cooking on the second side. This usually takes 3-4 minutes per side, but again, watch and don’t ever walk off when pan frying.
13. When the second side is golden and your crust is well-formed, then remove from the oil to a foil-lined baking sheet or a large casserole dish. Repeat until all eggplant rounds are cooked.
14. If using a baking sheet, place each individual round on the sheet and top with a little marinara and cheese. If using a casserole dish, arrange rounds so they overlap, as desired, then evenly disperse the marinara and cheese over the top.
15. Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until sauce is heated through and cheese is well melted.
16. Let stand five minutes then serve hot.