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    TaraTeaspoon » Course » Sandwiches and Burgers

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    Published: by

    Easy Mozzarella and Eggplant Panini

    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe Jump to Comments
    Easy Eggplant and Mozzarella panini pin

    An easy mozzarella and eggplant panini gets it's extra delicious flavor from smokey cheese and sun-dried tomato spread. What a great way to eat vegetarian for dinner!


    Some Italian flare for a weeknight dinner is always good. Smoked, fresh mozzarella, sun-dried tomatoes and a Mediterranean staple, eggplant.

    Mozzarella and eggplant panini on plate with water

    Eggplant and mozzarella go together so well. I decided to use a grill press for these sandwiches, so my eggplant isn't getting the smokiness it would if I cooked it on an outdoor grill or really charred the skin, like I do for baba ganoush (a smokey eggplant dip). For that depth of flavor I used smoked mozzarella. It's still got that fresh, soft taste like other fresh mozzarellas but with a unique smokey balance.

    I use a panini press, or grill press to make these right on the countertop. It's my favorite way to make grilled, toasty sandwiches. Plus I can grill my eggplant on it before making the sandwich. Two for one!

    Using a smoked cheese gives this Mozzarella And Eggplant Panini a fantastic flavor. What a great vegetarian dinner!

    I love this press, and there are other great ones out there. The thing is, you don't actually need one! You can sauté the eggplant right in a skillet on the stove, or broil it in the oven, and then use tools in your kitchen to make your own panini press! Check out the method here:

    Eggplant and Mozzarella panini press diy set up

    I'm a sucker for good sandwich spreads, so I knew I wanted something more than just a drizzle of vinegar for the compliment. Sun-dried tomatoes were just the thing. And I love that you can buy sun-dried tomato spread already prepared.

    If you want, you can make your own like my friend over at A Farm Girl Dabbles. Or use some of my sun-dried tomato pesto if you've got it on hand. It's simply a great way to bring acidic, tomatoey flavor to this mozzarella and eggplant panini.

    Mozzarella and eggplant panini how to

    Is eggplant a fruit or a vegetable?

    Eggplant is also called aubergine. And it is in fact a fruit! It's a species of nightshade fruit and is related to the tomato and potato! It's cooked like a vegetable though, and is really great sliced thinly and grilled, just like in these mozzarella and eggplant panini.

    Feel free to swap the smoked mozzarella for regular fresh mozzarella. I know sometimes folks don't love smoked cheeses. But I wouldn't want you to miss out on this delicious sandwich! Enjoy!

    Eggplant and mozzarella panini in parchment

    Easy Eggplant and Mozzarella Panini

    Tara Teaspoon
    An easy eggplant and mozzarella panini gets it's extra delicious flavor from smokey cheese and sun-dried tomato spread. What a great way to eat vegetarian for dinner!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 10 mins
    Cook Time 15 mins
    Total Time 25 mins
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Servings 4 sandwiches
    Calories 381 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 eggplant about 1 lb, sliced ¼-inch thick
    • Salt and pepper
    • 2 tablespoon olive oil
    • 1 loaf or 4 ciabatta rolls
    • ⅓ cup sun-dried tomato spread
    • 4 to 6 ounces fresh mozzarella, smoked sliced

    Instructions
     

    • Heat a grill pan on the stove or a grill press. Brush eggplant slices with 1 tablespoon olive oil and season lightly with salt and pepper. Grill until marked and just soft, 4 to 6 min (turning once if using a grill pan).
    • Cut bread into 4 pieces; slice pieces or rolls in half lengthwise. Cover one side of each sandwich with tomato spread. Divide grilled eggplant between sandwiches, add cheese and top with other slices of bread.
    • Brush sandwiches with olive oil and rill until cheese is melting and bread is just crisp, 4 to 5 min.

    Notes

    Smoked cheese adds a delicious depth to this vegetarian meal.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 381kcalCarbohydrates: 62gProtein: 11gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 1gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 743mgPotassium: 262mgFiber: 5gSugar: 5gVitamin A: 160IUVitamin C: 3.3mgCalcium: 30mgIron: 0.5mg
    Want to watch videos to show you how to cook?Check out our Youtube and try this recipe and more.

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    Try some international fare from my blogger friends.

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    Tara in kitchen making salad

    About Tara Teaspoon

    I’ve been in the food publishing business for over 20 years, creating recipes & food-styling for magazines, books, television & advertising. Order my new cookbook & stick around for amazing things to eat.

    Find out more!

    Recipe by Tara Teaspoon and Vanessa Seder. Photographs by Rita Maas. Originally published LHJ Mar 2009.

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    Filed Under: Grilling and Smoking, Italian, Sandwiches and Burgers Tagged With: bread, ciabatta, easy dinner, eggplant, food blogger olympics, food blogger winter games, mozzarella, olympics, sandwich, smoked mozzarella, sun dried tomato, winter games

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Christy Denney says

      February 06, 2018 at 3:04 pm

      I love how hearty this is and still vegetarian!

      Reply
      • Tara says

        February 06, 2018 at 9:11 pm

        As a meat eater you'd almost never know it's so good!

        Reply
    2. Mary Bench says

      July 18, 2018 at 1:16 pm

      What a wonderful combination of flavors! Tasty!

      Reply

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