Pomodoro Pasta and Eggplant Parmesan

This was a big hit at the Valentine's Dinner and Spirit of Athens Luncheon where I served it recently. I did also serve it with a Grilled Chicken Breast, cut on the bias, topping the Pomodoro Pasta and a Baguette for sopping up that wonderful sauce!

Paula's Pomodoro Pasta
12 oz. angel hair pasta, cooked
1/4 cup olive oil
1/2 red onion or shallots, chopped
4 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 cup red wine
1-28oz. can Italian Plum tomatoes with basil (I prefer San Marzano) hand crush tomatoes before adding to sauce
2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
1 (10.75 ounce) can low-sodium chicken broth
crushed red pepper to taste
freshly ground black pepper to taste
1/4 cup basil pesto
2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
1/4 cup grated Parmesan cheese

• In large skillet, saute onion and garl olive oil for  5 minutes. Add wine to deglaze and cook down. Add next 6 ingredients and simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in fresh basil and grated Parmesan cheese. Reserve 1 cup of sauce for Eggplant.Toss with Angel Hair Pasta and serve. Garnish with additional basil and Parmesan cheese.

Eggplant Parmesan
1 eggplant, peeled and sliced into 1/4" slices
Salt
2 eggs mixed with 1/2 cup milk
Self Rising flour
2 cups Panko bread crumbs seasoned with 1/2 tsp. salt, 1 tsp. Italian seasoning, 1/2 tsp. fresh ground pepper
1/2" oil in skillet for frying
reserved pomodoro sauce
1/3 cup grated Parmesan cheese
Place eggplant in colander and season with salt. Let stand 20-30 minutes.
In 3 shallow dishes...place flour, egg mixture and bread crumb mixture. Dredge each slice in flour, egg wash & bread crumbs. Fry in preheated oil until golden, turning once. Place on parchment lined baing sheet. Top each with dollop of sauce and sprinkling of Parmesan. Bake in 350 preheated oven for 5 minutes to melt cheese. Serve immediately.

I'm not Italian, nor do I claim to cook like my Italian friends...but if it's really good and pleasing to friends and family, I'm willing to share it!http://www.southernplate.com/2016/02/meal-plan-monday-recipes-link-up-2.html