This open-faced sandwich is like a pizza eggplant sandwich, but so fresh and vibrant with flavors, it's off the charts fantastic.
This open-faced eggplant boat can have just about any cooking method, and you can even slice it as an appetizer.
Just scroll to the bottom of the page to print off the directions.
Why Make Grilled Eggplant Caprese?
- prepare: easy to prepare in boats or slices
- cooking: grilled, pan fried, baked or air frying methods
- toppings: eggplant can have a variety of toppings of all culinary flavors
- meals: top with cooked deli meats for a whole meals
- calories: eggplant grilled in low in calories and a perfect summer meal
Other Substitutions and Tips:
- use zucchini in place of eggplant
- for topping substitutions you can mix and match:
- asparagus diced,
- any kind of peppers
- chopped celery
- chopped green beans
- sliced mushrooms
- fresh spinach or arugula
- julienned carrots
- use any kind of cheese you prefer
- ground seasoned cooked meats can be added for meat lovers
- add marinara sauce first then cheese
- add taco sauce with chilies and cheddar
Ingredients You Will Need Refer to the recipe card below for exact measurements
- fresh eggplant slices
- Caprese Topping:
- sliced tomato
- pepperoncini chopped stems and seeds removed
- granulated garlic powder
- fresh basil leaves chopped
- slices of provolone or whole milk mozzarella
- salt, and pepper to taste
- Parmesan cheese
- balsamic vinegar
Easy Eggplant Side Dishes or Appetizers
This Eggplant Open Faced Panini is so easy and gourmet just about everyone that eats this thinks it came from a 5-star restaurant it's very impressive.
Perfect for lunch, or even a late-night snack cut into four pieces for sharing.
This is also lower in calories if you substitute a wrap for the bread or just skip it if want to eat lighter and lower carbs.
Just scroll to the bottom of the page to print off the directions.
Eggplant Open Faced Panini
Yield: 8
Prep time: 10 MinCook time: 5 MinTotal time: 15 Min
Eggplant grilled on top of panini bread then topped with Caprese salad drizzled with balsamic.
Ingredients
- 8- 1/2-inch-thick slices of panini bread
- olive oil
- granulated garlic powder
- Parmesan cheese
- 1 -1 1/4-pound eggplant, sliced crosswise 1 inch thick
- 4 plum tomatoes, sliced crosswise
- 1/4 inch thick 1/2 pound buffalo mozzarella, sliced 1/4 inch thick
- 8 large basil leaves, torn
- salt, and pepper to taste
- balsamic vinegar for drizzle
Instructions
- Brush the bread with olive oil and sprinkle each piece with granulated garlic just on one side.
- Heat the pan if using on the stovetop and oil spray or brush with olive oil.
- Grill the bread using either a gridded cast iron skillet or outside on the heated grill plate.
- This should take about 45 seconds on high just to toast lightly once that pan is nice and hot.
- Place the bread on a platter.
- Grill the eggplant brushing each piece with olive oil, salt, pepper each one and a little sprinkle of granulated garlic powder.
- Again using either a cast iron skillet on the stovetop or on the outdoor grill, cook the eggplant for around 5 minutes or until it gets a nice char and grill marks.
- Serve this on the bread with sliced tomatoes and mozzarella then drizzle with balsamic, and olive oil sprinkle with cheese and torn basil on top.
- Note: to melt the cheese add to the top of the eggplant and covered the grill or the cast-iron pan just until melted around 1 to 2 minutes.
Notes
Other Substitutions and Tips:
- use zucchini in place of eggplant
- for topping substitutions you can mix and match:
- asparagus diced,
- any kind of peppers
- chopped celery
- chopped green beans
- sliced mushrooms
- fresh spinach or arugula
- julienned carrots
- use any kind of cheese you prefer
- ground seasoned cooked meats can be added for meat lovers
- add marinara sauce first then cheese
- add taco sauce with chilies and cheddar
Nutrition Facts
Calories
48.04Fat (grams)
2.89Sat. Fat (grams)
0.87Carbs (grams)
3.76Fiber (grams)
0.92Net carbs
2.84Sugar (grams)
1.78Protein (grams)
2.05Sodium (milligrams)
96.62Cholesterol (grams)
2.55
Try My Other Favorite Recipes
Eggplant Parmesan
Zucchini Rollatini
Eggplant Boats
