After people, I miss the food of Orlando the most. Incredible vegan restaurants within walking distance from home- with favorites that I just kept going back to. One of those favorites was the Pesto Panini from Infusion Tea.
Their panini has roasted red peppers, artichoke hearts, organic eggplant, spinach, tomato and fresh basil pesto on thick-cut ciabatta bread. My version was different as I was going off with what we had on hand, but it was yummy and satisfying nonetheless.
Pesto Eggplant Panini
- Bread (the thicker and fresher the better!)
- Eggplant slices marinated in balsamic vinegar
- Red pepper (diced or in slices; I had diced already cut up)
- Greens (preferably spinach… wilts best)
- Tomato slices
- Butter substitute (like Earth Balance, but olive oil will work)
- Grill or skillet
1. Coat bread with hummus on one side and a basil pesto on the other while the eggplant and peppers are grilling.
2. Add grilled eggplant, grilled peppers, greens and tomato slices.
3. Coat the outside of your sandwich with Earth Balance or olive oil. Place on pre-heated grill/skillet.
4. Press on both sides until bread turns a crisp golden brown. Enjoy!
Ours was tasty, but next time I’ll definitely do the specifics noted above (such as thicker bread and Earth Balance.. we were out). Next time I’ll add artichoke hearts, too!
What are your favorite panini ingredients?
{ 23 comments… read them below or add one }
That looks delicious!! I actually haven’t made any panini’s since I’m been GF.. I’ll have to change that!
Ok my keyboard officially has drool on it now – I might be willing to brave the blizzard outside to get the ingredients for this ASAP!
OMG! That looks sooo yummy! Definitely will be trying that soon! Thanks for the post!
yumm! My roommate got a panini pan, where u press down the heavy top…it’s awesome…and if you have a TJ’s nearby- their tuscan pane bread is PERFECT for paninis!
That sounds so delicious. I love eggplant!
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I HAVE AN EGGPLANT at my apt. and I plan on making this delightful sandwich v. soon. YUUUUUUUUUMMMMMMMM.
Yum! I’m cautious about eggplant, only had it once and I’ve never tried to make it at home. I need to start though! This sandwich sounds yummy
I love being inspired by my favorite restaurants! It’s so fun to try and recreate dishes at home!
I don’t think I’ve ever had a panini. :/
Delicious dinner idea! I keep toying with getting a foreman/press type grill but we just have so little space in our NYC kitchen…think I need it though…
Sara
that panini does look delicious! does vegan cheese melt well? to me, it’s not a panini unless there’s some cheese on there somewhere! i also am a fan of sun dried tomatoes on any sandwich. oh yeah, grilled/roasted portobello mushrooms make me happy too.
Daiya (the only vegan cheese in my book) does melt well!
One of my favorites from Infusion – Thanks for breaking it down, Ash! I have an eggplant in the fridge just begging to be grilled. I was thinking about roasted red pepper, eggplant, and goat cheese. Thoughts?
Yessss!! I bet that’ll be delicious!
This looks so good, I can’t wait to try it! I just received a panini press for Christmas and wasn’t sure what to make, I am going to start with your recipe!! Thanks
I can’t have a panini without cheese! I love cheese, but especially melted cheese with delicious bread!
Roasted red peppers are the BEST in panini! I have an eggplant, pesto and hummus in my fridge and peppers in the freezer…guess what I’m having for dinner. Might toss in some Apricot Stilton cheese from Trader Joe’s, too. I highly recommend. Sweet and tangy. It’s almost like dessert. SO SO SO good.
oooh that looks good! Now you get to make all the amazing goodies you enjoyed in orlando!
Mmmmm! That looks great! It looks like there are a lot of vegetarian/vegan restaurants in Ashville though. Are they just not within walking distance?
Atlanta only has a few here and there…Orlando is apparently the Mecca for vegans!
Exactly!
Pesto = one of those things I definitely don’t make/eat often enough! With a lot of fresh basil in the summer, it’s easy to think about – this is my reminder to go get some!
These look so tasty! I’ve never grilled eggplant, it looks like I’m missing out on something there….
Yum! That panini looks awesome…althought I’m biased because I could literally eat paninis all day long. Too bad bread can’t just be a vegetable, eh?
PESTO=
that’s some of my favorite things, all on one sammie! yummmm.
my faves for a panini are odd. i like mushy things on the inside and crispy toasted bread on the outside – i’ll mash avocado and hummus together, then add a tomato, grilled onion, and basil. NOM NOM NOM.