Eggplant Parmigiano and Shrimp Scampi over Cacio e Pepe

I took myself to the movies yesterday to see 'The Butler'.  Though it is a great story, I did not think the movie was very good.  Before I left, I made the boys dinner so they wouldn't starve while I was gone.  They wouldn't actually starve if I didn't cook for them but they would eat junk.  All I had was 1 eggplant and not much else so this is what I made.
First, I crushed up a bunch of ritz crackers then mixed them with a bit of flour and S&P.

I sauteed some diced garlic in a bit of butter with S&P.

I boiled 1 pound of spaghetti and mixed it with 2 tablespoons of butter, 1/2 C. of pasta water, S&P and fresh parsley. Make sure you use a good amount of freshly cracked black pepper. Toss it around to coat the pasta.

Set it aside and toss it again a few times.

Slice the eggplant into thick slices and dip them in a beaten egg and then into the cracker crumb mixture.

Then back in the egg again.

And back in the crumbs.

Coat both sides.

Fry them in a deep pot in about 1/4 inch of oil.  If you use a deep pot it will catch the splatters.

Drain them on paper towels and place a slice of provolone cheese on each slice.

Heat the garlic butter and throw a couple handfuls of shrimp in it.

Place some of the spaghetti on a plate and top it with the eggplant.  Drizzle some spaghetti sauce over the top.  I had sauce that I had just made for the shelter so I used some of it.

Throw some fresh parsley on the shrimp and toss them until they turn pink.

Place the garlicky shrimp over the tomato sauce and top with a dab of pesto and more fresh parsley.

Comments

Phoebe said…
This looks delicious! Funny, was just contemplating what to do with my eggplant... cannot wait to try!!!
Looks fabulous! You take very good care of your family.
Sunnybrook Farm said…
Now there is some cooking!
Yes, "The Butler" has been getting mixed reviews. Everyone seems to rave about Forest Whitaker's and Oprah's performances, though. I'll still go and see it if I have time.
Guillaume said…
Oh that looks good. It seems that I can't escape Italy these days.
Anonymous said…
wow, I would have stayed home with the boys, yummo!
Anonymous said…
Perhaps I would like eggplant better if I deep fried them? I can't say I dislike them but I never seems to be able to make them taste anything at all :-)

Have a great day!
Christer.
JFM said…
I just finished eating and you have made me hungry again just by these photos...what would the aroma do to me??? LOL!!

Jan
*EXTREMELY heavy sigh* I KNEW I would feel better if I visited you! :)
Velva said…
Now, that looks delicious!
TARYTERRE said…
OMG that looks sooooo GOOD.
Anonymous said…
Oh I would definately stay away of junk food, when I had such a dinner ; )
Have a magical day.
chickpea678 said…
Yum! This is what I want to eat tonight! Want to make me some? :-)
Nellie said…
Very thoughtful for you to leave dinner while you went to the movie. Did they leave any for you?
jody said…
Believe it or not i have only had egg plant once!.. Your meal looks wonderful! Have you noticed if your cooking has cut into garden time? I sure havent spent nearly as much time in the garden as in the past.. Boy changes.. Enjoy your evening!
luckybunny said…
and YUM. I love this one. Wiping drool off my keyboard as I type.