Recipes

Grilled Fontina and Eggplant Caviar Panini

The eggplant caviar also makes a great dip with pita chips.

Grilled Fontina and Eggplant Caviar Panini

Eggplant caviar is a delicious spread that can also be used as a dip.
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Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Course Sandwiches
Cuisine Italian
Servings 6 sandwiches
Calories 2683 kcal

Ingredients
  

  • 1 large eggplant cut in half
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 4 tbsp olive oil extra virgin
  • 2 cloves of garlic
  • 2 tbsp balsamic vinegar
  • 12 slices sourdough bread
  • 6 oz fontina cheese, sliced or more
  • ½ tsp fresh ground pepper

Instructions
 

To Make the Eggplant Caviar

  • Pre-heat oven to 400°
  • Place eggplant halves cut-side-up in a roasting pan
  • Brush with 2 tbsp of olive oil
  • sprinkle with salt
  • Roast for 15-20 minutes
  • Let cool slightly
  • Place in a food processor along with the balsamic vinegar, garlic, the rest of the olive oil, and pepper
  • Blend until smooth
  • Adjust seasoning

To Make the Sandwiches

  • Place cheese on 2 slices of bread top with 2 tablespoons of the eggplant caviar per sandwich
  • Add the top slices of bread.
    Pro tip: I like to add a extra cheese on top of the eggplant so the top slice of bread sticks better. (And of course it's cheesier too!)
  • Heat up your Panini press (or George Foreman grill)
  • Add panini one at a time, and grill until cheese is melted

Notes

If you don’t have a panini press or grill, a frying pan with butter will work. 
I’ve found that the George Forman Grill is an easy way to make grilled cheese sandwiches with almost no mess and no burning!

Nutritional Information

The numbers below are for the entire batch of eggplant caviar.  Your sandwich only takes 4 tablespoons out of the batch.

Nutrition

Calories: 2683kcalCarbohydrates: 476gProtein: 106gFat: 40gSaturated Fat: 12gPolyunsaturated Fat: 9gMonounsaturated Fat: 13gCholesterol: 33mgSodium: 6072mgPotassium: 1265mgFiber: 22gSugar: 46gVitamin A: 277IUVitamin C: 2mgCalcium: 638mgIron: 36mg
Keyword eggplant, fontina cheese
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