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.

Nutriscore Rating: 64/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:10 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

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

Directions

Step 1

Slice the eggplant into 1/4-inch thick rounds and place them in a single layer on a plate or cutting board.

Step 2

Brush both sides of the eggplant slices with olive oil and season with salt and pepper.

Step 3

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.

Step 4

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.

Step 5

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.

Step 6

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.

Step 7

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.

Step 8

Remove the paninis from the grill, cut them in half diagonally, and serve warm.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	1295.8 grams (1295.8g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	2139

Total Fat 98.30g	126%
Saturated Fat 41.30g	207%
Polyunsaturated Fat 5.30g
Cholesterol 190mg	63%
Sodium 7951mg	346%
Total Carbohydrate 229.10g	83%
Dietary Fiber 24.80g	89%
Total Sugars 59.60g
Protein 88.70g	177%

Vitamin D 39IU	194%
Calcium 1735mg	133%
Iron 12mg	66%
Potassium 2177mg	46%

*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.

Source of Calories

Fat: 41.0%

Protein: 16.5%

Carbs: 42.5%