Crispy Eggplant with Tomato Basil Sauce (Hestan Cue™)

Tomato Basil Sauce

• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 oz extra virgin olive oil
• ½ tsp dried red chili flakes
• 1 can crushed tomatoes (28 oz)
• 1 tsp kosher salt, Diamond Crystal®

Crispy Eggplant

• 1 eggplant (14-16 oz)
• kosher salt, Diamond Crystal®, as needed to sprinkle
• 8 ½ oz oil, e.g. grapeseed, vegetable or canola, as needed, to fry
• 2 oz all-purpose flour
• 4 oz panko
• ½ oz garlic powder
• ½ oz onion powder
• ½ oz paprika
• 3 large eggs
• 20 fresh basil leaves, thinly sliced