Sweet & Sour Eggplant - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons sugar
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
28 ounces peeled Italian tomatoes, crushed
2 garlic cloves, thinly sliced
1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
salt
fresh ground white pepper
crushed red pepper flakes (for that extra zing)
2 large eggplants, sliced crosswise 3/4 inch thick (about 1 1/4 pounds each)
1/2 cup shredded ricotta salata
2 tablespoons chopped mint

Preparation

In a saucepan, combine the water and sugar and stir over high heat until the sugar dissolves.
Cook without stirring until a light amber caramel forms, about 2 minutes.
Off the heat, add the vinegar.
Cook the caramel over very low heat just until it softens, about 1 minute.
Add the tomatoes, garlic and 1/4 cup of the oil and season with salt and white pepper.
Simmer over moderately low heat until thickened, about 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 400\u00b0F
Brush a large rimmed baking sheet with 2 tablespoons of the oil.
Arrange the eggplant on the sheet and brush with the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil; season with salt and white pepper.
Roast the eggplant for 10 minutes, then flip and roast for 10 minutes longer, until tender and lightly golden.
Arrange the eggplant slices in an 8x11-inch baking dish in slightly overlapping rows.
Spoon two-thirds of the tomato sauce on top and bake for 20 minutes, until bubbling and browned around the edges.
Sprinkle the cheese and mint on top and serve warm or at room temperature, passing the remaining sauce on the side.
*WINE: Try Cusumano's plush, fruity 2005.