Tuesday, July 22, 2008

Grilled Vegetable (Eggplant, Zucchini & Onion) Panini with Pesto - GYO 2008

Sandwiches in any form, grilled or otherwise, make for such tasty complete meals when paired with the right sides. I think I can have them everyday, albeit with slight variations. But, there was this one time a while back, when due to circumstances beyond my control, I ended up having grilled cheese sandwich for 12 straight days for all the meals! Though the vendor took pity on me and threw in a tomato slice once in a while, I was off sandwiches of any kind for a long time. I think it would have been OK If I had some variables in there, but to have the exact same thing day in day out was not too exciting to say the least!



Having harvested a few eggplants, fresh from my kitchen garden, I was thinking of ways to use it without drowning it in spices of any kind. Eggplant & Zucchini Panini is what I grilled that day!
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Eggplant, Onion & Zucchini Panini (Grilled Veg Panini)
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2 eggplants, thick sliced
2 Zucchini, thick sliced
1 onion, thick sliced
3 cloves garlic, finely chopped
8 bread slices, I use my favorite Jewish Rye Bread from the local bakery
1/2 cup pesto (you can use any kind, store bought is fine too, I used walnut-coriander pesto)
salt & pepper
thick sliced Mozzarella cheese
Olive oil for grilling the veg
Butter/Oil for grilling the Panini
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1. Grill the vegetables till done.
This step can be done in an oven by layering the vegetables in a single layer on a baking sheet, drizzled with olive oil & chopped garlic at 400C OR
directly on the grill, use your preferred method of roasting the vegetables.
2. Now, it is time to get the Panini assembly line ready. Line up 4 slices of bread on your work area and slather pesto on them. Arrange roasted vegetables on top. Sprinkle salt & pepper. Arrange mozzarella slices and cover with the remaining slices of bread and grill till done. Use butter on the outside of bread for a great flavor.
The grill marks make for a pretty presentation. This can be done quickly in a Panini maker, but not having one does not stop you from making a Panini anytime. Just press down the bread with a heavy saucepan and you have yourself an make-do arrangement.
3. Enjoy the grilled veg panini with chips and a chilled smoothie ;) As you can see, this is more of a method rather than a recipe, lots of variations are possible here. Can be made without pesto, just slather some butter and lots of salt & pepper. Use whatever vegetables you have at hand.
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This gorgeous panini with fresh eggplant from my beautiful garden makes it's way to GYO - 2008 guest hosted by Bee.
This fits right in with AWED-Italian hosted by DK.
I also want to send this to dear Sig for her MM-Grill it.
How can I resist sending this to Sia for WBB-Summer Feast.
that's it I guess ;)

59 comments:

Raaga said...

:-) I still love GCSs :-)

this one looks delish... I must try eggplant in my sandwich next!

Richa said...

try it for brkfst/lunch/dinner 12 days....:) then tell me ..hehe!

raaga, do try this with fresh eggplant, it's groovy :)

Meera said...

Hey, those eggplants look so cute. panini looks too good. I am coming over to eat!;-)

Laavanya said...

This to me is the perfect sandwich. I always order grilled veg. paninis if it's available and the pesto is a definite plus.. Absolutely mouthwatering Richa.

Rachel said...

neat harvest of veggies...put well into use in that yummy-lookingsandwhich!!!

Rajitha said...

Richa!! love that you got the eggplant from your own garden..makes it more yummy na :)...those paninis look to die for..of-course no baingan for me :D..

vb said...

Grilling eggplant is the best. Brings out a smokiness I love. Just grilled baby eggplants last night. Any excuse to eat them. Your plants look healthy!

Richa said...

thanks meera! yup the joy of eating from one's garden is one to be exp :) come on over quick, waiting for ya...

thanks Laav! glad u liked it dear! walnut pesto is my fav, what's ur fav?

thanks rachel! yup, the garden veg are very dear to me :)

thanks rajitha! they sure do make it more yummy! in fact they got done so quickly, good i had my eye on them, else they would be over done!

thanks vb! that sounds good, u must hv had a lovely dinner then ;) thanks for the kind words.

delhibelle said...

The panini looks scrumptious.
Your pretty garden is making me see green, literally!

bee said...

gorgeous veggies. and paninis are always a favourite. thank you.

Sangeeth said...

great pics and a great recipe....having a garden is really a good thing in many ways....;)

Cham said...

He he for 12 days in row, girl i cannot eat the sandw :)
But i love panini never had with eggplant.

indosungod said...

love your eggplant and chili plants.

12 days in a row I'd be off that for life but you ventured again :) But with fresh eggplant from the garden who can resist.

Padma said...

Eating what you grow is such a satisfying thing, I am deprived of it, though!! You guys a lucky to GYO
I stay in an apartment which restricts gardening :(

Panini looks so fresh and healthy!!

ranji said...

i simply love panini..and eggplant and zucchini are one of the most suitable vegetables for tht..i have never had walnut pesto..sounds wondeful..love it :)

TheCooker said...

12 days in a row?

Beautiful veggies. But that sandwich (and fries)...gorgeous.

Tee said...

I love sandwiches with grilled veggies...although I am not a die hard sandwich fan. How did you eat cheese sandwich fro 12 days in a row!!??

evolvingtastes said...

Gorgeous plants, and even better is that sandwich!

TBC said...

Love paninis! I usually have a panini at least a couple of times a month from this place near my office. The serving size is so large that I can have the ret of it for dinner too. Not sure about eating it at a stretch for 12 days though...;-)

Richa said...

thanks db! it is a joy, that garden!

thanks bee, sangeeth,

thanks cham! in that case give it a try :)

thanks isg!
yup, there are instances beyond one's control where u gotta' eat whatever is available!

thanks padma.
oh! that is sad that u r not able to do gardening, may be some day...

Richa said...

thanks ranji! glad u liked it.

thanks tc!

thanks tee! majboori thi yaar.

thanks et!

thanks tbc! yup, even i wud not do it for 12days if not for reasons beyond my control.

musical said...

YUMMY! Can have Paninis any time of the day!! And aapne ghar di sabzi da maza hi kucch hor hunda e :) Grest looking eggplants there. When do i drop by for lunch :).

How was your long weekend, sweetie?

hugs,
musical.

Sig said...

I love paninis, and that grill mark on the bread is a must :) Nice plants girlie, looks like you have a huge yard! Thanks for the delicious entry, awesome pics as usual...

amna said...

love eggplants and paninis :) good one!

Richa said...

haanji musy! thuadde vaaste garma garam jaroor banaange :) wknd changa si, picnic bhi changi si ;) thuadda wknd kive beeteya?

thanks sig! u got it right @ the grill marks baby ;)

thanks nags!

Priyanka said...

oh richa...the grilled panini reminds of of the grilled club-sandwich that we used to have at a local hangout back in Ahmedabad. the pic looks amazing.pesto is definitely a great find...at panera- they serve a grilled veg pesto sandwich on tomato bread- just love the taste of it.

Dee said...

Oh richa , I was thinking the pesto is basil , hoping you can send it my event too :(

Cynthia said...

Fresh veggies and delicious sandwich.

Sig said...

Hey Richa, I was looking through the submitted entries and couldn't find yours... please use the form to submit this when you get a chance... thanks sweetie.. :)

Anonymous said...

That's the most incredible sandwich ever, Richa...so delicious. Your home-grown eggplants are adorable!! Your garden looks like it is producing a bumper crop :)

Sia said...

i love panni and my fav one is with sun dried tomatoes. but home grown eggplants and u know i cant resist them:) thanks for this lovely entry richa

A_and_N said...

Your own eggplants? Kudos! And the panini looks gorgeous! And yes, the grill marks make it look even better :)

Meeta K said...

lovely looking sandwiches. nothing like using your own veggies for the perfect grilled meals! thanks for the entry to the monthly mingle.

Kumudha said...

Such a lovely garden! Panini looks very tasty!

Unknown said...

one cant want more - your last pic is so amazing..had me salivating and hungry. It must be amazing to have ur own garden - planning to grow something soon - a potted wonder ;-)mostly a herb probably and confirm if I have green fingers first. Thanks for sending m these delish sandwiches. (still drooling)

DK
http://culinarybazaar.blogspot.com

Shreya said...

I have never had eggplant in a sandwich...looks interesting..

Pooh said...

*sigh* what a gorgeous aubergine color your plant has...very nice!

Unknown said...

Wow..eggplants in your garden..

Rashmi said...

wow... nice green garden pics..

first time to ur blog...
do visit mine when u find time and leave ur comments and suggestions....
http://envittuvirundhusamayal.blogspot.com

Shilpa said...

I love paninis and I love your veggie plants.

vandana rajesh said...

This looks really delicious...can't wait to take a bite.

ushaprashanth said...

Hi richa!
Egg plants look fresh and healthy!! btw you have got BFF Gold Card too.. CHeck out http://samaikalamvanga.blogspot.com/2008/08/siru-ma-laddubesan-laddu.html..
Congrats!!!!

Anonymous said...

Panini looks awesome. Must try...

Richa said...

Thank You so much for the award dear Usha! U r too kind :)
thanks again!

lubnakarim06 said...

Looks gr8 sounds healthy. There is a suprise for u in my blog. Check now.

Vaishali said...

That's one delicious-looking panini. And those eggplants are just gorgeous.

lubnakarim06 said...

Hi dear. Check out twin awards celebration one for the suprise.

zlamushka said...

Loooovellyy garden. Everything looks so cute, the veggies, the pesto.. .yum!
Btw, I hope you are participating this month´s Tried And Tasted, the Jugalbandi(ts)

Mints! said...

Hi yummy sandwich!

There is something waiting for you! Please check out my food blog!

Andrea Meyers (Grow Your Own) said...

Your eggplants look so beautiful! We tried to grow our own this year but the plants were eaten by beetles. Your sandwich looks very tasty! Thanks for sharing with Grow Your Own!

Mansi said...

I don't like brinjals in everything, but your panini looks great richa! ne pela ringan to mast lage chhe:)D nice to see you get a chance to grow your own!!

lubnakarim06 said...

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Srikitchen said...

my first visit to ur blog and it is too nice! an award is waiting for u in my blog!

Srikitchen said...

an event for icecreams and milkshakes is going in my blog! participate in it!

news.linq.in said...

Hey!! Thats looks yummy.....

Can u tell me something more about the EggPlants. how to grow, its nutrition.

Paru ... said...

Looks beautiful and hearty..

Anonymous said...

oh my goodness! that is looking so awesome

Prema Sundar said...

All the pictures look awesome Richa. Love panini and ur picture makes me hungry.

Anonymous said...

what a lovely garden harvest! Your eggplants looks so tender and perfect! Mine are going to seed.
I could eat this panini anyday of the week!