CHEESY EGGPLANT SANDWICHES, TRADER JOE'S STYLE

CHEESY EGGPLANT SANDWICHES, TRADER JOE'S STYLE





Ingredients:
(Makes 4 sandwiches)

4 TJ's Organic Baby Baguettes, sliced down the middle but still connected at the bottom
1/2 - 3/4 eggplant, 1/2" slices
2 Tbsp. crushed garlic
2 Tbsp. grated parmesan cheese
8 Tbsp. olive oil
1/2 cup TJ's Tuscano Marinara Sauce
1/2 cup TJ's Quattro Formaggio (shredded cheese)
Salt

Directions:


1. Cover each eggplant slice with salt, let sit for 15 minutes, then rinse well and dice.


2. Preheat toaster oven to 400 degrees.


3. Toss the eggplant with the olive oil, parmesan cheese and garlic until thoroughly and evenly coated (I like putting it all together in a tupperware container and shaking like crazy...my daughter likes doing that part, too!).


4. Pour the eggplant out onto a piece of foil and bake in toaster oven for approximately 7 minutes (keep an eye on it to prevent burning).


5. Fill each baguette with eggplant, cover with marinara sauce, and press shredded cheese down into each sandwich.

6. Bake for 5 minutes more, or until cheese is melted but not yet brown.

7. Slice each sandwich in half and serve.

Notes:


*Kids can stir/shake the eggplant, olive oil, parmesan and garlic.


*Don't skip the salting step! It keeps the eggplant firm during cooking and minimizes bitterness.


*Serve with gourmet olives or pepperoncinis on the side to "class" it up!