Eggplant BLT sandwiches

Eggplant BLT sandwiches

7
Points®
Total Time
45 min
Prep
30 min
Cook
15 min
Serves
4
Difficulty
Easy
Roasted strips of eggplant take on bacon-like smokiness in this deliciously different sandwich. Coconut aminos—short for amino acids—is a liquid made from the sap of coconut palm flowers. It’s similar to soy sauce but is soy-free and gluten-free. Find it at health-food stores. This BLT also has a creamy, delicious layer of mashed avocado. The avocado is seasoned with fresh lemon juice, salt, and pepper. If you prefer, use lime juice instead of lemon, and toss in some chopped fresh cilantro if you have it on hand. If you find the bite of raw onion too strong, soak it in cold water for a minute or two, then pat it dry before adding it to the sandwich. This process takes away a little bit of that bite.

Ingredients

Olive oil

2 Tbsp

Coconut aminos

2 tsp, or soy sauce

Paprika

¾ tsp, smoked variety

Garlic powder

tsp

Black pepper

1 pinch(es)

Black pepper

tsp

Table salt

2 pinch(es)

Eggplant

1 small, (about 1/2 pound)

California (Hass) avocado

1½ item(s), without skin and seed

Fresh lemon juice

1 tsp

Bread

4 oz, country style, cut into 4 (1 oz slices), toasted

Tomato

1 large, cut into 8 slices

Lettuce

8 piece(s), Boston or red leaf

Red onion

¼ cup(s), sliced, thinly

Instructions

  1. Preheat oven to 425°F. Line large baking sheet with parchment paper.
  2. Stir together oil, coconut aminos, paprika, garlic powder, 1/8 teaspoon black pepper, and pinch salt in small bowl. With mandoline or vegetable slicer, slice eggplant into very thin lengthwise slices (if using a knife, cut eggplant crosswise into very thin rounds). You need 16 slices; save any leftover eggplant for another use.
  3. Arrange eggplant slices on prepared baking sheet in single layer; brush on one side with half of spiced oil. Turn slices over and brush on other side with remaining oil. Bake until slices are crisp and begin to char, 15–17 minutes. Slide eggplant with parchment onto work surface; let cool briefly (eggplant will get crisper).
  4. Meanwhile, peel and pit avocados. Roughly chop and put into small bowl; add lemon juice and pinch each salt and pepper. With fork, mash until fairly smooth.
  5. To assemble sandwiches, lay toasted bread on work surface. Top each with one fourth of mashed avocado, tomato, lettuce, onion, and eggplant.
  6. Serving size: 1 open-face sandwich