PREHEAT oven to 350 and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Lay slices of eggplant on baking sheet and bake 20 minutes.

IN the meantime, add ground beef to a skillet over medium heat and crumble with a wooden spatula. Cook 5 minutes. Stir in fennel seed, garlic, pepper and sea salt. Cook 5 minutes longer. Do not worry if meat is not completely cooked through.

ONCE eggplant is finished roasting, Remove from oven and allow to cool slightly. In a small bowl, stir together ingredients for Ricotta Filling until smooth and fluffy.

LINE the bottom of a bread loaf pan with parchment paper and spray with olive oil cooking spray. Arrange one layer of 2 eggplant slices on bottom of pan, overlapping to fit pan. Spread 1/2 of Ricotta cheese mixture over eggplant followed by 1/2 of ground beef and 1/3 of crushed tomatoes. Repeat. Finish with one final layer of eggplant and top with remaining crushed tomato. Place in oven and bake for 20 minutes. Remove from oven. Garnish with fresh basil. Slice in half and use a spatula to lift from pan.