Grilled Eggplant Panini

Grilled eggplant is one of life's simpler pleasures: creamy and rich. Look for medium-size, purple eggplants with firm skins and no mushy spots. This end-of-summer treat will be even tastier if you can find the vegetables at a local farmstand—or in your own backyard!

READER'S COMMENT:

"Looks so yummy! I love eggplant and I love cheese, this will make a lovely vegetarian lunch alternative for me to bring to school, thank you. "

Makes: 4 sandwiches

Active Time: 35 minutes

Total Time: 35 minutes

INGREDIENTS

• 2 tablespoons reduced-fat mayonnaise
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided
• 8 1/2-inch slices eggplant, (about 1 small)
• 1/2 teaspoon garlic salt
• 8 slices whole-grain country bread
• 8 thin slices fresh mozzarella cheese
• 1/3 cup sliced jarred roasted red peppers
• 4 thin slices red onion

• PREPARATION

  1. Preheat grill to medium-high.
  2. Combine mayonnaise and basil in a small bowl. Using 1 tablespoon oil, lightly brush both sides of eggplant and sprinkle each slice with garlic salt. With the remaining 1 tablespoon oil, brush one side of each slice of bread.
  3. Grill the eggplant for 6 minutes, turn with a spatula, top with cheese, and continue grilling until the cheese is melted and the eggplant is tender, about 4 minutes more. Toast the bread on the grill, 1 to 2 minutes per side.
  4. To assemble sandwiches: Spread basil mayonnaise on four slices of bread. Top with the cheesy eggplant, red peppers, onion and the remaining slices of bread. Cut in half and serve warm.

  NUTRITION

  Per serving: 337 calories; 16 g fat (6 g sat, 6 g mono); 22 mg cholesterol; 36 g carbohydrates; 12 g protein;7 g fiber; 659 mg sodium; 353 mg potassium.
  Nutrition Bonus: Folate (28% daily value), Calcium (25% dv), Selenium (23% dv), Iron (15% dv).
  Carbohydrate Servings: 2
  Exchanges: 2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 high fat meat, 1 fat