Melanzane Parmigiano, alla Ristorante

1. Arrange some of the eggplant slices in a layer in a colander placed over a dish and sprinkle very generously all over with salt, add another layer of slices and sprinkle very generously with salt, repeat this layering until all the slices have been used and covered in salt. Set this aside to let the bitter juices weep from the eggplant into the dish below, about 1 hour. Discard the bitter liquid captured in the dish.

2. Rinse the eggplant well under cold running water to remove all the salt. Transfer eggplant to a work surface and blot very dry with paper towels.

3. Set up a breading station by placing the flour and pepper on one plate, the beaten egg on another, and the breadcrumbs on a third. One at a time, dredge the eggplant slices first in the flour (shaking off excess), then in the egg, and finally in the breadcrumbs. Shake off any excess breading and transfer the breaded eggplant slices to another dish. Repeat until all the remaining eggplant slices have been breaded.

4. In a large straight-sided skillet, pour the oil to a depth of about ½-inch. Heat the oil over medium heat until it registers 350° F on a deep frying thermometer.

5. Working in small batches, fry the breaded eggplant slices, turning once, until golden brown, about 3 minutes per side. Using tongs, transfer to a paper towel-lined baking sheet. Repeat until all the remaining eggplant slices have been fried.

6. Arrange half the eggplant slices on a foil lined cookie
sheet, leaving about an inch between slices. Spread about 1/4 cup of spicy tomato sauce over each individual eggplant slice, sprinkle lightly with Parmesan, on top of this place 1 or 2 slices of provolone and top each with another eggplant slice, additional parmesan, additional ¼-cup of tomato sauce, and 1 or 2 slices of provolone.

7. Place the oven rack to its highest position and turn oven to broil. When the broiler comes on, place the cookie sheet on the rake and broil until the cheese is bubbly and begins to brown slightly.

8. Place each individual stack of eggplant, sauce, and cheese on separate serving dishes and serve immediately accompanied by additional tomato sauce and grated Parmesan cheese.