Eggplant And Mozzarella Sandwich Recipes

EGGPLANT AND MOZZARELLA MELT

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 475 degrees. In a shallow bowl, lightly beat eggs with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Spread breadcrumbs in a pie plate or shallow bowl.
• Oil a rimmed baking sheet. Dip eggplant rounds in egg, then dredge in breadcrumbs, turning to coat completely; transfer to prepared baking sheet. Bake (without turning) until golden and tender, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, split bread lengthwise, and place cut side up on another baking sheet; press gently in centers to create a well. Layer both halves with tomato sauce, eggplant, and cheese. Bake until cheese is browned in spots, 6 to 8 minutes.

EGGPLANT SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Preheat your oven's broiler. Brush eggplant slices with olive oil, and place them on a baking sheet or broiling pan. Place the pan about 6 inches from the heat source. Cook under the broiler for 10 minutes, or until tender and toasted.
• Split the French rolls lengthwise, and toast. In a cup or small bowl, stir together the mayonnaise and garlic. Spread this mixture on the toasted bread. Fill the rolls with eggplant slices, tomato, feta cheese and basil leaves.

THE BEST FRIED-EGGPLANT SANDWICH

Steps:

• Line a large, rimmed sheet pan with paper towels. Trim stem end from eggplants, then peel and discard skin. Using a knife or a mandoline, slice the eggplant lengthwise into 3/16-inch-thick slabs. Arrange eggplant in a single layer on a baking sheet. Sprinkle both sides of eggplant with salt. Let stand for approximately 10 to 15 minutes. Pat eggplant dry with paper towels, and stack on a plate.
• Discard the wet paper towels, and replace them in the sheet pan with more, then place a wire rack on top. In a large, deep skillet, heat the oil over medium-high heat until it is shimmery. Working in batches, fry the eggplant slabs until just tender, approximately 30 to 40 seconds per side. Transfer fried eggplant to rack to drain. Remove skillet from heat.
• In a large bowl, whisk together eggs and grated Parmesan. Return the skillet to the stove over medium-high heat until the oil is hot again.
• Working in batches, dip drained eggplant into egg batter, then fry in oil until puffed, lightly golden and cooked through, approximately 2 to 4 minutes per batch. Transfer fried eggplant to rack to drain. You can cook the eggplant in advance of assembling sandwiches. Covered, it will keep in the refrigerator for a few days, though the eggplant is best at room temperature.
• Assemble sandwiches. Cut the hero rolls open, then spread each one with mayonnaise. Layer the slices of eggplant onto the bread in equal portions, and top with equal portions of the mozzarella and the sliced roast beef. Add slices of hot cherry peppers to taste, fold the sandwich together and serve.

EGGPLANT AND MOZZARELLA SANDWICH

Steps:

• Line a baking sheet with aluminum foil; lightly oil the foil Cut the eggplant lengthwise into 1/2 inch thick slices. Place on the prepared baking sheet; brush with 1 tbsp olive oil. Broil 5 1/2 inches from the heat with the oven door partially opened for 6 to 7 minutes or until tender and golden -- watch it so it doesn't burn. Coarsely chop the eggplant and set aside.
• Saute onion, garlic, black pepper, and thyme in the remaining 2 tbsp olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat, stirring constantly, until tender. Stir in the reserved eggplant, tomatoes, parsley, and vinegar. Remove from heat and set aside.
• Cut the bread in half lengthwise; rub each cut side with the halved garlic clove; place on an ungreased baking sheet. Broil until lightly browned. Place the reserved eggplant mixture on the bottom half of the toasted bread; top with mozzarella cheese slices. Broil 5 1/2 inches from the heat 1 to 2 minutes or until the cheese melts. Cover with the top half of the bread.
• Cut into 4 portions, and serve immediately.

GRILLED EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) AND MOZZARELLA SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Prepare a moderately hot grill.
• On a platter, pour 2 T dressing over eggplant slices, (I brush the slices to cut back on calories).
• Grill eggplant over moderate heat, brushing with more dressing, until charred and soft on the inside, about 5 minutes.
• Meanwhile, brush cut sides of rolls with remaining dressing, place around edge of grill, and toast until a golden brown, about 2 minutes.
• Layer rolls with eggplant, cheese, tomato, and basil leaves and replace tops.

GRILLED EGGPLANT AND MOZZARELLA SANDWICHES

Steps:

• Spray grill with oil spray and prepare barbecue (medium heat). Spray eggplant on both sides with oil spray; sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill until tender, turning occasionally, about 10 minutes.
• Place 1 cheese slice atop each of 4 eggplant slices; top with remaining eggplant slices. Grill until cheese melts, about 2 minutes.
• Whisk oil, vinegar and garlic in large bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Add arugula, tomatoes and basil; toss. Divide among 4 plates. Sprinkle with pine nuts. Top each with 1 eggplant sandwich.

EGGPLANT AND MOZZARELLA "SANDWICHES"

Steps:

• 1 Trim the tops and bottoms of the eggplants. With a swivel-blade peeler, remove strips of skin lengthwise at about 1-inch intervals. Cut the eggplants crosswise into an even number of 1/2-inch thick slices. Arrange the slices in a colander, sprinkling each layer with salt. Place the colander over a plate to drain for at least 30 minutes. Rinse off the salt with cool water and dry the slices with paper towels. 2 Preheat the oven to 450°F. Brush the eggplant slices with olive oil and arrange them oiled-side down in a single layer on cookie sheets. Brush the tops with additional oil. Sprinkle with pepper and the herbs. Bake 10 minutes. Turn the slices and bake about 10 minutes more, or until lightly browned and tender. 3 Remove the eggplants from the oven, but leave the oven turned on. 4 Top half of the eggplant slices with mozzarella. Place the remaining eggplant slices on top. Return the pans to the oven for 1 minute or until the cheese begins to melt. Serve hot. From "1,000 Italian Recipes." Copyright 2004 by Michele Scicolone. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.