This grilled eggplant appetizer is tender, completely grilled and layered with a tomato slice, recent mozzarella and basil then completed with a drizzle of olive oil! It’s a taste packed summer season dish that’s fast and simple! 

Throughout the summer season when my vegetable backyard is brimming with produce, there’s nothing extra that I like than to make recent seasonal recipes. Whether or not it’s any of those recent tomato recipes, grilled zucchini roll ups or this sizzling or chilly grilled eggplant appetizer, it’s merely the very best!

 

You probably have averted eggplant up to now due to a spongy rubbery texture, this appetizer with Italian grilled eggplant will convert you right into a fan! 

Underneath the recent grill the eggplant turns tender with a slight char after which it will get layered with basic Caprese salad substances for an unforgettable appetizer, lunch or major dish that may depart you wanting extra! 

Why You’ll Love This Straightforward Grilled Eggplant 

• Rain or shine it may be made: Use your outside BBQ or indoor grill pan on the stovetop to make this grilled eggplant dish! Both manner it turns tender and scrumptious. 
• Fast and simple: This straightforward dish could be prepared in 20 minutes! Simply grill the eggplant, layer it with tomato, mozzarella and herbs then serve chilly or place it beneath the broiler to get pleasure from it sizzling.
• Flavorful: From the charred and smoky eggplant slices to the candy and juicy tomatoes and creamy mozzarella with recent herbs, this appetizer is summer season prepared!

Recipe Substances

• Eggplant: I like to make use of both Italian eggplant, bigger sized globe eggplant or the lighter skinned heirloom eggplant varieties equivalent to rosa bianca or graffiti eggplant. 
• Tomatoes: You will have bigger tomatoes which are ripe however nonetheless agency. 
• Recent mozzarella: Any such cheese is softer and provides the very best taste and texture when layered with the grilled eggplant and tomato appetizer.
• Recent basil: Provides the very best Caprese taste to the grilled eggplant appetizer!
• Oregano: Dried oregano provides earthy style to the dish.
• Salt: For drawing out eggplant moisture in addition to enhancing style.
• Olive oil: Additional virgin olive oil provides wealthy style when drizzled over the eggplant and tomato slices earlier than broiling.

Do I Want To Peel The Eggplant? 

No, this isn’t vital. The pores and skin is edible and helps maintain the eggplant slices collectively in order that they don’t crumble whereas grilling. 

Ought to I Salt The Eggplant Earlier than Grilling?

Sure! Salting the eggplant will make it extra flavorful and have a greater texture. Salt not solely helps draw moisture out of the eggplant however helps sweat out any bitterness and assists in breaking down the spongy texture. For a velvety texture and tender grilled eggplant, don’t skip salting the eggplant! 

How To Make A Grilled Eggplant Appetizer

To begin, place sliced eggplant in a medium bowl and sprinkle with salt. Let it relaxation then drain however don’t rinse.

Grill eggplant slices till smooth and tender utilizing a grill pan on the stovetop or an out of doors grill.

For decent grilled eggplant, place grilled eggplant slices on a parchment lined baking sheet, prime with a slice of tomato then a slice of recent mozzarella cheese.

Sprinkle with oregano, salt, recent chopped basil after which drizzle with olive oil. Broil for a couple of minutes simply till mozzarella is melted and serve.

For chilly grilled eggplant, assemble as directed however don’t broil.

Can I Bake The Eggplant?

Sure, you may initially roast the eggplant slices as an alternative of grilling them. Roast the slices on a sheet pan at 400°F for about 20-25 minutes, flipping midway or broil as an alternative for about 4 to five minutes on either side. 

How To Inform When Eggplant Is Cooked? 

This may be difficult! Eggplant is finished when the pores and skin across the edges begins to develop into wrinkled after which the center is tender and considerably custard-like in contact and look. In case your eggplant feels spongy or rubbery, it’s not fairly accomplished. 

Suggestions And Variations

• Even slices: Slice the eggplant into even slices which are across the identical thickness. It will permit the eggplant to get accomplished across the identical time.
• Prep your grill or pan: Bear in mind to grease your grill grates or your grill pan to forestall the eggplant from sticking.
• Add some Parmesan: You may by no means go fallacious with including Parmesan or recent garlic to any dish! My eggplant Parmesan stacks are proof of this tasty mixture.
• Double stack: Simply comply with the instructions for my tacky eggplant stacks and serve it as a major dish! 
• Completely different herbs: For a distinct style, use recent parsley as an alternative of basil or attempt different dried herbs equivalent to rosemary or thyme.
• Drizzle with balsamic vinegar: Earlier than serving, drizzle with high quality balsamic vinegar, balsamic discount or glaze like I do in my eggplant caprese!

Serving Solutions

There are such a lot of methods to serve this grilled eggplant appetizer from serving it with my favourite bruschetta with pesto or utilizing it as a pizza topping with my no yeast pizza dough!

Serve it chilly as a part of an antipasti platter or heat as a aspect dish to another summer season grilling favorites! 

Storing Leftovers

Whereas that is greatest recent, you may retailer leftovers within the fridge in an hermetic container for 3 to five days. Reheating will barely change the feel, so I might get pleasure from it chilly over some salad greens or on a slice of sourdough. I might not freeze leftovers. 

Extra Eggplant Recipes

When you’re searching for a simple summer season appetizer then I hope you give these Scorching or Chilly Grilled Eggplant Caprese a attempt to let me know. Buon Appetito!

Up to date from June 17, 2015.

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