Eggplant Parmesan

As I've stated in previous posts, I love Italian food. One of my favorite Italian ingredients is basil and I just started growing some and thought this recipe would be great to make with fresh basil. This is sort of a fudge/hodge podge of my favorite recipes to make this with some shortcuts. You can bake it like a casserole or eat it fresh from being sauteed topped with marinara (when I don't want to wait for baking) and cheese. Either way it's yummy!

• 1 Eggplant
• 1 jar of your favorite pasta sauce
• 1 big hunk of mozzarella cheese (fresh is best but any can work), shredded.
  
• 3 sprigs of fresh basil, minced
  
• 1/2 cup flour
• 2-3 eggs, whisked
  
• 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese
• oil for sauteing
• salt and pepper for taste
  

1. Slice peeled eggplant 1/2" thick. (I don't like Eggplant skin, so I peel it before slicing).
2. Get two bowls and fill one with flour, salt, and pepper; the other with egg and Parmesan cheese.
3. Preheat oven to 375°. Heat up saute pan with 1 tbsp. of olive oil.
4. Dredge eggplant slices in flour, then in egg mixture, and saute until golden, transfer to plate. Continue until all slices are done.
5. Spread pasta sauce in a greased casserole dish. Layer sauteed eggplant, mozzarella cheese, minced basil, and sauce until completed. Finish with mozzarella cheese.
6. Bake until cheese is golden and bubbly.