Grilled Vegetable & Feta Panini

From EatingWell: May/June 1995, EatingWell Serves Two, The Essential EatingWell Cookbook (2004) — Subscribe Now!

Grilled or broiled eggplant has a meaty texture and taste that, when piled on a sandwich with some tangy feta cheese, will satisfy even the most die-hard carnivores.

2 servings

Active Time: 30 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Nutrition Profile

Low calorie | Low cholesterol | Healthy weight | View Complete Nutrition Guidelines»

Ingredients

1 small eggplant, (about 8 ounces)
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil, divided
1 4-ounce jar roasted red peppers, (about 1/3 cup), rinsed and chopped
Freshly ground pepper, to taste
1/3 cup crumbled feta cheese
1 teaspoon lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon dried oregano
Pinch of crushed red pepper
2 crusty whole-wheat rolls

Preparation

Preheat grill or broiler to high.
Cut eggplant crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices. If using a grill, oil the grill rack. Brush 1/2 teaspoon oil over both sides of the eggplant. Grill or broil until it is lightly browned and tender, 3 to 5 minutes per side. Let cool slightly. Coarsely chop the eggplant and combine with red peppers in a small bowl. Season with pepper.
Mash feta with a fork in a small bowl. Add lemon juice, oregano, crushed red pepper and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon oil; blend until smooth and spreadable. Season with pepper.
Slice rolls in half horizontally and scoop out about 1 inch of the soft interior from each half. Divide and spread the seasoned feta in the bottom half of each roll. Spoon the chopped eggplant and peppers over the cheese and replace the top half of each roll.

Tips & Notes

Make Ahead Tip: The sandwiches will keep, well wrapped, in the refrigerator for up to 8 hours.

Nutrition

Per serving: 294 calories; 8 g fat (3 g sat, 2 g mono); 8 mg cholesterol; 46 g carbohydrates; 13 g protein; 5 g fiber; 829 mg sodium; 181 mg potassium.

Nutrition Bonus: Vitamin A (15% daily value).

3 Carbohydrate Serving

Exchanges: 2 starch, 2 vegetable, 1/2 medium-fat meat, 1/2 fat