Grilled Eggplant and Burrata Sandwich
Celebrate seasonal summer ingredients with this Italian-inspired Grilled Eggplant and Burrata Sandwich. Grilled eggplant and red bell peppers are layered on a toasted ciabatta loaf and topped with creamy burrata, basil and arugula. A tangy dressing made with red wine vinegar brings all the flavours of the savoury and smoky grilled vegetables to life. Pair this sandwich with a glass of Narrative Cabernet Franc for the perfect summer meal!
This recipe is made in collaboration with Okanagan Crush Pad.
The Best Summer Flavours in One Bite
To me, there is nothing like grilled summer vegetables! Not only do you get the best flavours and textures, but you also get them for a much cheaper price than buying them in the off-season. This allowed me to splurge a bit more on a beautiful ball of burrata. This is a great mix of high- and low-end ingredients that really bring the flavour!
I grilled fresh Italian eggplant, and red bell peppers on the grill and layered them on a tender ciabatta loaf. Topped with burrata, basil leaves, and arugula, and you have all of the best summer flavours in one bite!
To add extra flavour to this Grilled Eggplant and Burrata Sandwich, I made a simple Italian-inspired vinaigrette. This vinaigrette includes olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, and basil leaves. The tartness of the red wine vinegar and the earthiness of the herbs really compliments the grilled vegetables and also the wine that is paired with it!
A Red Wine Fit for Summer
While red wine may not be your first choice for a summer wine, do not pass up a bottle of Narrative Cabernet Franc. When paired with this recipe, the wine brings out the smokiness of the grilled vegetables and grilled ciabatta. It’s acidity also cuts through the richness of the olive oil and burrata, making this the perfect wine pairing!
This wine is made with Cabernet Franc grapes from the Okanagan Region of British Columbia, Canada. The wine is also aged in concrete tanks for 10 months. Find out more about this wine on Okanagan Crush Pad’s website.
Get the Recipe: Grilled Eggplant and Burrata Sandwich
Grilled Eggplant and Burrata Sandwich
Ingredients
For the Sandwich:
- 2 medium Italian eggplants
- 3 red bell peppers
- 1 loaf ciabatta bread 12” long
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
- 1 ball Burrata
- 6 large basil leaves whole
- 1 cup fresh arugula
For the Dressing:
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
- 4 large basil leaves julienned
- ¼ teaspoon sea salt
- ¼ teaspoon ground black pepper
Instructions
- Preheat your grill to 350 degrees F. Slice the eggplant into 1-cm thick slices and cut the bell peppers into quarters, removing the centre. Arrange the eggplant and red bell peppers on a large platter and sprinkle evenly with the salt, pepper and extra virgin olive oil on both sides. Rub the salt, pepper, and oil over the vegetables to coat using your hands.
- Once the grill is hot, reduce the heat to medium and add the eggplant and bell peppers. Grill for 4 to 5 minutes per side or until the vegetables have grill marks and have softened. Remove from the grill and set aside to cool slightly.
- Slice the ciabatta in half through the middle to create a long sandwich. Place the ciabatta loaf halves on the grill and toast for 4 to 5 minutes, until golden brown. Remove from the grill and let cool slightly.
- Make the dressing by combining all the dressing ingredients together in a small bowl. Set aside.
- To assemble the sandwich, use a pastry brush to brush the dressing onto both the cut sides of the ciabatta loaf. Add a layer of grilled eggplant on the bottom of the ciabatta loaf, then top with a layer of grilled red bell peppers. Divide the burrata into four pieces and arrange in an even layer on top of the peppers. Top with basil leaves, arugula, and the top of the ciabatta loaf.
- Press down on the sandwich then use a serrated knife to slice it into quarters (or sixths if you prefer smaller sandwiches). Skewer each quarter with a toothpick to avoid the sandwich from falling apart. Serve immediately with a glass of Narrative Cabernet Franc and enjoy!
Nutrition
Don’t know where to start?
No problem! Explore my curated seasonal recipes, gardening tips, and entertaining ideas that inspire you to enjoy the best of the season, every day.
Get seasonal living tips once a month.
Receive monthly updates featuring seasonal recipes, gardening tips, entertaining ideas and more!