Appetizers / Snacks
Eggplant Slices with Sausage & Fresh Mozzarella
Eggplant is the quintessential Italian vegetable. Grilling eggplant slices and topping with Italian sausage, fresh mozzarella, and tomatoes are the definition of al fresco appetizers.
Ingredients
FOR THE SAUSAGE, SAUTÉ:
FOR THE EGGPLANT, BRUSH:
Instructions
Preheat grill to medium-high. Brush grill grate with oil.
For the sausage, sauté sausage in oil in a sauté pan over medium-high heat until cooked through, breaking up sausage with a potato masher. Drain grease from sausage, then return to the pan; add garlic and cook 1 minute. Deglaze pan with wine; reduce until liquid is absorbed. Add spinach; sauté 2–3 minutes. Stir in Parmesan; let cool.
For the eggplant, brush eggplant slices with oil; season with salt and pepper. Grill eggplant slices, covered, 2–3 minutes per side; remove from grill. Top each slice with 1 Tbsp. sausage mixture and one slice each mozzarella and tomato. Grill eggplant slices, covered, until cheese melts, 3–4 minutes; top with parsley.
TO MAKE AHEAD, cook sausage and grill eggplant to the point of topping, then chill. Before serving, add toppings and finish grilling.
Return eggplant slices to the grill over medium-high heat to melt the mozzarella cheese.
Nutritional Facts
Nutritional Facts
Per serving
Calories: 166
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 12g 18%
Saturated Fat 5g 25%
Cholesterol 28mg 9%
Sodium 257mg 10%
Carbs 5g 1%
Protein 11g
*Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.