Let’s do this conversationally. Begin by pre-heating the oven to 350 degrees. After buying two large firm, unblemished eggplants, peel them and slice them into rounds as thin as you can. No salting or draining necessary. Oil the bottom of a glass 9×12 baking dish. Put a light slick of your favorite homemade or store-bought pasta sauce, with or without meat. Cover the bottom of the dish with slightly overlapping eggplant slices. Drizzle on a small amount of sauce and spread it out with the back of the spoon on the slices. Sprinkle on a little cayenne, if you like it, and grated parmesan (freshly grated only!)