Grilled Eggplant Caprese Stacks

 eggplant caprese2

I love the beautiful produce that is available in New Jersey during the summer months.

I savor every gorgeous beefsteak tomato, eggplant and zucchini that is falling off the vine.

Though I can get tomatoes, basil and almost anything all year long, there is something special about using local produce in season.
It just tastes and smells better.

I had my first Jersey tomatoes from the shore this week and they were spectacular.
I ate one like an apple, just bit into it. A real treat.

Here is a nice way to show off the bounty from your garden, or from someone else's!



Grilled Eggplant Caprese Stacks:

1 large eggplant, sliced into 1/2" rounds
kosher salt and olive oil

1 ripe beefsteak tomato, sliced
1 ball of fresh mozzarella, sliced (I love the bufala mozzarella from Italy, pricey, but so worth it)
basil leaves
pesto for drizzling

Brush your eggplant slices with olive oil and sprinkle with kosher salt.
Place on a hot grill and turn once after you start seeing grill marks, about 3 minutes on each side.

Layer your eggplant slices with a slice of tomato and a slice of cheese.

Top with another eggplant slice and tuck in some basil leaves in between.

Drizzle with balsamic vinegar or pesto before serving.
Best served at room temperature.



Comments

Ciao Chow Linda said…
Oh yum - that's like having eggplant parm without all the fried guilt. Such a nice summertime lunch or dinner.
Anonymous said…
Ciao Chow Linda beat me to it...

my immediate reaction to your eggplant was "YUM".
mil
I'll have to get earlier tomorrow.
Anonymous said…
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
This is food for the God's!
Dana said…
Lovely presentation! This is one of the only ways I like eggplant (I also like it pureed in baba ghanoush). Nice thin slices, grilled almost to a burn. The accompaniments are awesome!
The JR said…
I've never tried grilled eggplant. You always come up with recipes I never think about trying. Looks good.

Ramona
Foodiewife said…
Look at those perfect grill marks! While I'm not crazy about eggplant, I bet I'd like this combo. Jersey tomatoes? I've never been there, but I've heard they are legendary. Mmmm, balsamic vinegar would be the perfect ta-da to this.
Michele said…
Beautiful! I made something just like this last month but I didn't like my photo so I didn't post a picture. I think you have the patience of a Saint! I need some of that!
StaceyEsq said…
If I could only reach through my computer screen and inhale those babies!!! Your photos are lovely (as usual)!

We SO love the same things -- eggplant, figs, ripe Jersey tomatoes, etc.!!! Sure beats the cheese doodles and Tang we sucked down together in Fifth Grade!!!!

Have a lovely day!
Patsyk said…
I am in love with the farmer's market this summer! so many wonderful things to choose from... but not enough time to enjoy them each week!
The Food Hunter said…
I'm so jealous. I'd do anything for a Jersey tomato right now. That looks so yummy!
Teanna said…
Those tomatoes look AMAZING. Whenever I am down at LBI, I always want to get them and don't! This just inspired me!
Lori Lynn said…
Fabulous Stace. So so summery!
I buy that mozzarella too, at TJ's, it's great!
LL
Kerstin said…
Gorgeous! I recently made something similar and really enjoyed it. Love your grill marks on the eggplant!
SarahB said…
Sta, I was shocked to realize that you don't have "eggplant" in your categories! I was looking for an eggplant recipe so of course I came looking on your site! (By the way, I ended up using the search bar which worked just fine).
Colleen said…
These look beautiful! I need to make something like this before summer is over.
Jen_from_NJ said…
I'm a Jersey Girl so I'm loving this! Nothing beats fresh NJ veggies! Your grilled eggplant looks super good!