Eggplant Paninis
Elevate your sandwich game with these irresistible Eggplant Paninis, a perfect balance of hearty, fresh, and indulgent flavors. Tender grilled eggplant rounds are layered with creamy mozzarella, juicy tomato, fragrant basil leaves, and a drizzle of tangy balsamic glaze, all nestled inside crispy, buttery ciabatta rolls. These paninis are effortlessly gourmet, offering a delightful mix of textures and Mediterranean-inspired ingredients. Ready in just 25 minutes, they're an ideal choice for a quick lunch, a satisfying dinner, or even a party-worthy appetizer. Whether prepared on a panini press or in a skillet, these golden, melty sandwiches are sure to become a household favorite.
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Recipe Information
Ingredients
- 1 medium eggplant
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 0.5 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 pieces ciabatta rolls
- 8 slices mozzarella cheese
- 1 large tomato
- 12 pieces basil leaves
- 2 tablespoons balsamic glaze
- 4 teaspoons butter
Instructions
Slice the eggplant into 1/4-inch thick rounds and place them in a single layer on a plate or cutting board.
Brush both sides of the eggplant slices with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.
Heat a grill pan or skillet over medium heat. Grill the eggplant slices for 3-4 minutes on each side until tender and slightly charred. Remove from heat and set aside.
Slice the ciabatta rolls in half lengthwise. Spread a small amount of butter on the cut side of each roll to ensure a golden, toasty finish when grilled.
Assemble the paninis: start by layering 2 slices of mozzarella cheese on the bottom half of each ciabatta roll. Follow with 2-3 slices of grilled eggplant, a slice of tomato, and 3 basil leaves. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and top with the remaining half of the ciabatta roll.
Preheat a panini press, or use a large skillet if a press is unavailable. If using a skillet, place another heavy pan on top of the sandwiches to press them down.
Grill the paninis for 3-4 minutes in the press, or 2-3 minutes per side in the skillet, until the bread is golden and crisp and the cheese has melted.
Remove the paninis from the grill, cut them in half diagonally, and serve warm.
Nutrition Facts
Calories |
480 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
% Daily Value* |
|||
| Total Fat | 21.5 g | 28% | |
| Saturated Fat | 9.3 g | 47% | |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.0 g | ||
| Cholesterol | 42 mg | 14% | |
| Sodium | 1344 mg | 58% | |
| Total Carbohydrate | 54.9 g | 20% | |
| Dietary Fiber | 7.1 g | 25% | |
| Total Sugars | 11.9 g | ||
| Protein | 17.3 g | 35% | |
| Vitamin D | 0.3 mcg | 1% | |
| Calcium | 248 mg | 19% | |
| Iron | 2.9 mg | 16% | |
| Potassium | 568 mg | 12% | |
*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
