Eggplant Pizzas

Ingredients:

• 1 eggplant, sliced into 1/4 inch rounds
• 1 bag whole milk low moisture mozzarella
• 1 jar good quality marinara sauce
• 1 cup sliced pepperoni
• Olive oil, for drizzling
• Kosher salt and freshly cracked black pepper, to taste
• Fresh basil, for serving

Preparation:

1. Preheat and Prepare:
   • Preheat your oven to 450°F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Prepare the Eggplant:
   • Arrange the eggplant slices on the prepared baking sheet.
   • Lightly sprinkle the slices with salt and let them sit for 5 minutes to draw out moisture. Pat the slices dry with a paper towel.
3. Season and Bake:
   • Drizzle the eggplant slices with olive oil and season with freshly cracked black pepper.
   • Bake the eggplant for 12 minutes, or until the tops start to brown.
   • Flip the slices over and bake for an additional 5 minutes. Remove from the oven to assemble the pizzas.
4. Assemble the Pizzas:
   • Spoon a tablespoon of marinara sauce onto each eggplant slice.
   • Top with mozzarella cheese and sliced pepperoni. Optional: Use a small biscuit cutter to make mini pepperoni slices for a fun presentation.
5. Final Bake:
   • Return the eggplant pizzas to the oven and bake for 5-7 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
6. Garnish and Serve:
   • Remove from the oven and garnish with fresh basil. Let the pizzas sit for 5 minutes before serving.

Enjoy your delicious Eggplant Pizzas!