Provençal Eggplant-Tomato Gratin

Preheat oven to 450°F.

Trim stems from eggplants. If using medium eggplant, cut in half lengthwise. Cut small eggplants or medium eggplant halves into 7 slices each, cutting to, but not through, stem end. (Eggplant should be able to be fanned out without falling apart.)

Rub a 13- x 9-inch gratin dish with crushed garlic clove. Drizzle 1 tablespoon olive oil in bottom of dish, and rub to coat evenly. Place 2 cups onion slices, thyme, marjoram, coriander, and one-third sliced garlic in an even layer in prepared dish. Arrange eggplants on top, and sprinkle with 3/4 teaspoon salt. Place 1 tomato slice between each eggplant “fan blade.” Sprinkle with pepper and remaining 3/4 teaspoon salt. Top with remaining sliced garlic, remaining 2 cups onion slices, mushrooms, olives, and bay leaves. Drizzle with remaining 1/3 cup olive oil.

Cover dish tightly with aluminum foil. Bake in preheated oven 15 minutes. Reduce oven temperature to 375°F (do not remove dish), and cook until eggplant is almost tender, about 1 hour and 10 minutes. Remove and discard foil, and bake until juices are slightly reduced and eggplant is very tender, about 20 minutes. Garnish with torn basil.