2 tasty grilled-veggie sandwich recipes that hit the spot

Looking for a break from the boredom of normal sandwiches? Try out these incredible grilled-veggie options. Whether you try the eggplant and tomato sandwich or the mozzarella and basil one, they're both sure to hit the spot.

These tasty sandwiches have so much to offer. They're easy to prepare, healthy and taste great!

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 12 minutes
Serves: 6

Ingredients

• 60 g (2 oz.) goat cheese, crumbled
• 15 g (1 tbsp.) snipped fresh chives
• 50 ml (1/4 c.) dry bread crumbs
• 30 ml (2 tbsp.) grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 ml (1/2 tsp.) dried basil
• 1 large egg
• 1 large egg white
• 1 g (1/4 tsp.) salt
• 12 slices peeled eggplant, 0.5 cm (1/4-in.) thick
• 6 thin slices tomato, blotted dry
• 30 ml (2 tbsp.) olive oil

Cooking instructions

1. Combine goat cheese and chives in a small bowl. Combine breadcrumbs, Parmesan and basil in a shallow dish. Beat the egg, egg white and salt in a second shallow dish.
2. Spread about 10 g (2 tsp.) of goat cheese mixture onto a slice of eggplant. Top with a tomato slice and an eggplant slice. Make five more sandwiches the same way.
3. Dip each sandwich in egg mixture, then breadcrumb mixture to coat both sides. Place on wax paper.
4. In large non-stick frying pan over medium-low heat, heat about 22 ml (1 1/2 tbsp.) of oil. Add the sandwiches in a single layer, working in batches if necessary. Cook until fork-tender and golden brown (10 to 12 minutes) and turn over halfway through. Add more oil as needed if your pan becomes dry.
5. Serve warm.

Clever recipe variations
If you love this recipe and want to try some variations, you can play with the cheeses.

• Try feta or an older goat or sheep cheese. The longer the cheeses are aged, the more tart their flavours become.
• If you do try feta, just remember to rinse it in cold water to remove some of the salt residue it accumulates from the brining process.

These sandwiches are even faster to make, but just as delicious.

Preparation time: 10 minutes
Cooking time: 4 minutes
Serves: 4 

Ingredients

• 4 thin slices mozzarella cheese (125 g or 4 1/2 oz. total)
• 8 thin slices tomato, seeded
• 8 thin slices red onion
• 8 basil leaves, shredded
• 8 small slices Italian sandwich bread
• 1 ml (1/4 tsp.) salt
• Freshly ground black pepper to taste
• 20 ml (4 tsp.) olive oil

Cooking instructions

1. Pat dry the mozzarella and tomato with paper towels.
2. Place one mozzarella slice, two tomato slices, two onion slices and two shredded basil leaves on each of four slices of bread. Sprinkle with salt and pepper. Top with remaining bread.
3. Heat oil in a large non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Add sandwiches and cook, firmly pressing down with a spatula until lightly browned (about 2 minutes). Turn the sandwiches over and repeat with the other side.

Don't forget the nutrients! Both of these tasty recipes are lower in calories than a traditional sandwich that's loaded with meat – so go ahead and enjoy every guilt-free mouthful. For each recipe, here's what you'll get:

Grilled eggplant & tomato sandwich recipe
Each serving contains 133 calories; 6 g protein; 10 g fat (including 4 g saturated fat); 6 g carbohydrates (including 1 g fibre), 47 mg cholesterol and 213 mg sodium.

Pan-grilled tomato, mozzarella and basil sandwich
Each serving contains 206 calories; 8 g protein; 12 g fat (including 5 g saturated fat); 17 g carbohydrates (including 1 g fibre); 23 mg cholesterol and 343 mg sodium.

There's really something to be said for a nice warm sandwich, especially when you pull it apart and see the gooey strands of delicious cheese, nestled between health veggies. These recipes will satisfy that craving and add a little excitement to lunchtime or anytime!