Grilled Eggplant Burgers

This recipe made our mouths water: tender eggplant slices team up with melted cheese, tomato or red bell pepper, and fresh basil to make a stack or a sandwich that tastes like summer. You can fire up the grill or make these under the broiler or in a pan; any way you do it, this is a healthy and flavorful meatless meal.

INGREDIENTS

1 large eggplant, sliced into 16 1/4-inch rounds
8 thin slices provolone, Gouda, or other cheese
2 thinly-sliced tomatoes or 4 large pieces roasted red bell pepper
8 to 16 leaves fresh basil
Freshly-ground pepper

Seasoning Oil

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons wine vinegar or balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon-style mustard
Seasalt and freshly-ground pepper, to taste

1. Whisk all seasoning oil ingredients in a small bowl.

2. Brush eggplant slices with seasoning oil and place over medium-high heat on grill. Close lid and cook until tender, turning and brushing with remaining seasoning oil, about 5 to 10 minutes. Remove from grill. (You may also cook eggplant under the broiler, or saute them in a pan until tender, about 4 or 5 minutes per side.)

3. Place a slice of cheese on 1 eggplant slice, then top with another eggplant slice. Top this with 2 tomato slices or a piece of roasted red pepper, then put 2 to 4 basil leaves on top of that. Top with third eggplant slice, then another slice of cheese. Top with a fourth eggplant slice. Finish with a grind of pepper.

4. Repeat process to make 4 stacks. Place stacks on grill, close lid, and cook for about 2 minutes, turning once.

5. Serve immediately, or make into sandwiches on crusty rolls or bread. These sandwiches may be served warm or wrapped tightly and chilled several hours or overnight.

Serves 4.

Read more: Food, All recipes, Entrees, , grilled eggplant burgers, meatless, sandwich

Inspired by Simply in Season, by Mary Beth Lind and Cathleen Hockman-Wert (Herald Press, 2005).

Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.

John B.

8:06PM PDT on Apr 19, 2012

I love eggplant and I am going to givr this a try.

send a green star

J.L. A.

9:03AM PDT on Apr 17, 2012

yum

Patricia H.

4:02AM PDT on Mar 25, 2012

Thanks for sharing

KS G.

5:31AM PDT on Mar 19, 2012

Thanks for the article.

Michele W.

1:48PM PST on Feb 1, 2012

Thank you

SuS NoMail Plez P.

12:21PM PDT on Aug 4, 2011

I have to let you know I followed your recipe last evening as I had all the fresh organic veggies and herbs from various gardens. I omitted the cheese is all. IT WAS FABULOUS. TY Annie. Tim said his burger was his favorite after 35 years of cooking!!!

2:54PM PDT on Aug 3, 2011

Forgive me for not thanking you Annie :)

2:53PM PDT on Aug 3, 2011

TY. Eggplant is one of my FAVORITES. Actually I have a wonderful electric grill and would grill the Eplant inside {Do it ALL THE TIME}. VEGANIZED. Since I have a giant bag of Eplant...TONS of Basil...PERFECT hearty and Lovely homemade bread....GUESS WHO's COMMING TO DINNER? ME!!