Eggplant Parmesan Panini

As usual, the recipes I post on this blog are dictated by what is currently in the fridge (i’m too lazy to go searching the grocery store for specific ingredients!). so when I was greeted by a nice purple eggplant in the fridge and some sourdough bread on the counter, this is what ensued!

Eggplant Parmesan Panini

(Makes 2 Sandwiches)

• 1 Small Eggplant
• Parmesan Cheese
• Cheddar Cheese
• Marinara Sauce
• 4 Slices Sourdough Bread
• Chives
• Butter
• 1-2 Cloves Roasted Garlic
• Dehydrated Tomatoes
• Panko Bread Crumbs
• 1  Egg
• Flour
• Salt & Pepper

Directions

First set up your breading station with two plates (one for flour and the other for panko) and a bowl with one egg whisked. Mix some parmesan cheese, salt and pepper into your panko crumbs until the taste is to your liking. Once this is set up put a small pan on low heat, add 1 or 2 cloves of garlic (depending how much garlic you like) and one tablespoon of butter, and cook until browned. While your garlic is cooking, start a larger pan on medium-high heat with enough oil to cover to bottom of the pan.

Slice up your eggplant, dredge in the flour, then dip in the egg and finally bread it in the panko mixture and set it on a plate, repeat until all your eggplant is breaded. Once this is done your pan will be evenly heated, drop all the eggplant in and cook each side until browned.

While your eggplant is frying, get your sandwich set up. Slice four pieces of sourdough bread, or something similar. Butter each side of your slices, spread marinara sauce on one side of each sandwich, then place your cheddar cheese on that side. Once your eggplant has finished frying, place the slices on top of the cheese, then on top of that, add your roasted garlic, shred some parmesan cheese, add the chives and dehydrated tomato. If you wish, you could also put some more marinara sauce on the top slice as well, it’s up to you! Once you have assembled your sandwiches, either fry them in the same pan as your eggplant until golden brown, or in a panini press if you are fortunate enough to have one!

This was a very flavourful sandwich with plenty of texture! I hope you guys enjoy it as much as I did!

Happy (soon to be) New Years!

Bob