Healthy Kids Recipe – Pretzel Encrusted Eggplant Parmesan – Kid Kritics

Product: Vita Spelt Organic Pretzels, Original

Pretzel Encrusted Eggplant Parmesan

by Healthy Recipe Mom, Karen
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PANS/EQUIPMENT: Food processor, large sauté pan, 2 sauce pans
PREP TIME: 20 minutes
COOK TIME: 20 minutes
NUMBER OF SERVINGS: 6 or more depending on ages

1 medium eggplant
Cut off ends of Eggplant and leave skin on.  Slice very thin so you have several thin round slices of eggplant.

2 cups Organic Vita Spelt Pretzels, Original
1/4 cup nutritional yeast
1/4 cup dry polenta
4 teaspoons herbs de Provence
1 teaspoons garlic salt
Put all ingredients in food processor and grind until completely ground and mixed. Put in a shallow pan or in a bag for breading.

1 cup low fat milk (rice, almond, or organic cow’s milk)
1 egg
Mix milk and egg together. Dip the eggplant slices in the egg mix and then shake them in the bag of pretzel breading.

1 Tablespoon Earth Balance spread
Add a small amount of Earth Balance spread to the bottom of the sauté pan and then add breaded eggplant.  Cook on medium heat for approximately 3-5 min on each side depending on the thickness.

1 box whole grain spaghetti
1 jar spaghetti sauce (reduced sodium)
Cook pasta according to package directions. Warm sauce in small sauce pan. Serve finished eggplant on top of pasta with your favorite sauce!

KITCHEN TIP: When preparing eggplant, cut of the ends and rub them in a circular motion on the ends that were cut. That will reduce any bitterness from the eggplant.

OPTIONS: Dairy-free option: use rice milk or almond milk instead of cow’s milk. Wheat-free option: try spaghetti made from spelt, quinoa, or brown rice. Lower carb option: omit the pasta and serve the Eggplant Parmesan with steamed broccoli, sauteed spinach, or green beans with garlic and olive oil. For those without nutritional yeast, replace it with organic cheese or cheese alternative.

RECIPE SOURCE: “I made it up myself with ingredients I had in the house”

7 GOD-MADE FOOD COLORS: Purple, white, yellow, green, brown, red, golden
7 FOOD GROUPS: Vegetables, eggs, dairy, fruits (tomatoes), whole grains, essential fatty acids, herbs

“My kids were skeptical at first but ended up eating it all – even some bites of eggplant that weren’t with the pasta and sauce.  I absolutely loved it and will make it again.  You couldn’t really taste the pretzel taste and it made for a great alternative if you don’t have bread crumbs!” (Karen, mother of 2)