Eggplant sandwiches

Wanting fried eggplant without the mess of frying, and creating a grilled cheese sandwich without the bread??? Have I got a recipe for you......

Feast your eyes on my eggplant sandwiches..

Ingredients:

2 firm black eggplants, cut into spheres about 1 inch, include the small pieces, as well

Panko crumbs

5 eggs, beaten with 2 tbsp water

Salt and pepper to taste

Garlic powder

Parsley flakes

1/2 lb sliced provolone

1/2 lb mortadella or ham

Grated parmesan cheese

Olive oil for drizzling the tops

Directions:

Preheat oven to 400 degrees.

Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper. Place as many slices of raw eggplant slices on each prepared cookie sheet. Snuggle them together.

Prepare your counter area by adding about 3 cups of panko crumbs in one plate. Mix and beat the eggs and water, seasoning both plates with salt and pepper, garlic powder and grated cheese.

Take one slice of eggplant at a time from the cookie sheet and dredge in egg mixture and then into the panko crumbs. Place back to its designated place on the cookie sheet.

Repeat with all of the slices and when both cookie sheets are filled, drizzle with olive oil.

Place both sheets in the preheated oven. Let cook until they crisp up, then flip over and let them crisp on other side. They should take about 35 minutes.

When the eggplant slices are done, prepare to use only one cookie sheet because you will be using 2 slices each to make your sandwiches.

Place ham or mortadella and provolone in between each sandwich.

Take the empty cookie sheet and cover the one with eggplant sandwiches.

Place into the preheated oven for approximately 30 minutes or until the eggplant sandwiches are melted and secure.

Enjoy with marinara sauce or slices of tomato, lettuce.

Buon appetite.

Serving with a hearty red wine would be ideal.

Comments

04.02.2021 13:39

Linda Mamazza

Hi Jan, I made em, I cooked em and I ate em! Super delicious and I froze some of them for another day. Thanks so much. XOLinda

04.02.2021 16:04

Jan Conte

So glad you liked them. Thanks for following my blog and taking the time to comment. I really appreciate it.

01.02.2021 22:07

Linda Mamazza

Jan, this sounds so-o-o good. Purchased all the ingredients today and will make tomorrow. Will let you know how it comes out.

01.02.2021 22:38

Jan Conte

So glad you're going to try this recipe. It makes about 12 sandwiches. The leftovers can be frozen. Let me know.❤️❤️

Let's get baking!

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees

1 whole thin skinned orange, remove the stem and cut in quarters. Keep the skin on the oranges.

In a clean large food processor, add the orange quarters, 1 1/4 cups of sugar, three large eggs, 1 tsp of vanilla, 1 tsp of orange extract, 1 tbsp of Triple Sec liqueur, optional, 2/3 cup vegetable oil.

Pulse all ingredients in the processor and then puree until mixture becomes a batter with specs of orange peel.

Add to the processor:

2 1/4 cups all purpose flour

2 tsp baking powder

1/4 tsp salt

Process all dry ingredients until they are entirely incorporated into the batter.

Bake in a greased and floured spring pan, using a parchment paper circle on top of the greased bottom.*

Preheat the oven to 350 degrees. Place in the center rack of the oven. Bake for 30-40 minutes, depending on your oven.

Remove from your oven and let it cool down completely. Dust with powdered sugar or make a drizzle of 1/4 cup powdered sugar and fresh squeezed orange until thick and smooth. Pour onto the cooled fresh orange cake.

Cooking with Love

with Gianna Conte (Jan)