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    TaraTeaspoon » Recipes » Sandwiches and Burgers

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    Easy Mozzarella and Eggplant Panini

    Published: Feb 6, 2018 · Updated: Jul 30, 2022 by Tara Teaspoon

    Jump to Recipe Pin Recipe
    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!

    📖 Recipe

    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
    Work Time 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Drinks
    Servings 4 sandwiches

    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
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    Tara Teaspoon

    I’ve been in food publishing for over 25 years, creating recipes & food-styling for magazines, books, television, food brands, & advertising. With two cookbooks under my belt and thousands of my recipes at your fingertips, I hope you'll be inspired to spend more time in the kitchen!

    More about Tara

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

    Comments

      5 from 1 vote

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    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
    Easy Eggplant and Mozzarella panini pin

    Hi, I'm Tara Teaspoon!

    I’ve been sharing my original ideas for years. What began as a passion, turned into a publishing career as Food Editor at Martha Stewart Living and Ladies’ Home Journal magazines.

    Now I write cookbooks, and share delicious recipes and expert cooking tips with you here! Thanks for stopping by Tara Teaspoon!

    More about me →

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