Grilled Eggplant Panini

I'm really liking eggplant, LOVE the ratatouille I have one here that calls for bacon, yummo!!! ;) But the kids aren't huge fans of it... but they will eat it.
They don't like the bigger chucks of it by itself...

Plus, I'm getting a nice sized eggplant for a DOLLAR at the Farmer's Market, um, yes, I'm gonna buy a few and see what I can make with it! Seriously, a dollar and feed my family, um yes please!

I also had left over white bread (I know, white, ick...) that I had bought when we were in Williamsburg a little while ago. It was right before the hurricane was supposed to hit, and I wanted to make sure I had bread. I did NOT want to get home, and have to turn around and go back out in the rain for bread... I figured most everyone was going to be sold out here anyways... ;)

So for about $1.50 I made 6 sandwiches and then we had carrots sticks to go with it. The kids LOVED this and wanted more! But that's all I planned to make, so I didn't give them anymore! ;) Next time I will make sure to make them each 2!

Another super easy meal. You could easily make this for a supper, but maybe make a salad of some kind to go with it? Also some fruit would be really good too.... I'm thinking maybe a potato salad and a fruit to go with it...?






Grilled Eggplant Panini

1 medium - large eggplant, depends on how many sandwiches you want to make ;)
As many slices of bread as you need
1 tomato or 2 if making more than 5-6
Mayo
Dried Basil
Sliced onion
Shredded Italian cheese

Slice eggplant to the thickness you want it. Remember, not to thick or it won't work very well on the sandwich! ;)
I sliced mine in half then. I got my panini maker (or a George Foreman grill will work as well...), turned it on so it could heat up. Once ready, I took my eggplant and placed them on the maker, then sprinkled a little bit of dried basil on each one.
While that was cooking, I got my bread all ready by spreading mayo on all slices, then sprinkled more basil on top. After my eggplant was grilled, I placed 2 half pieces on one side of the bread, sprinkled with the shredded cheese, then put a totamo on top, for mine, I put a little bit of purple onion in, then put another piece of bread on top. Put the whole sandwich in the panini maker and close lid until nice and brown. Pull out and cut in half and viola, you got yourself a super delish and healthy sandwich.
Ok, maybe the white bread isn't THAT healthy, but it's what i had! ;) I'll be making it again on whole wheat bread. My mouth is watering just thinking about it!!

Let me know how you like it! Again, REALLY easy, and CHEAP!!! Go get some eggplant from your Farmer's Market before it's too late!!!