Vegetarian Eggplant BLTs

Submitted by Anna Pippin, MSHN

This is a very tasty and healthy vegetarian alternative to the classic BLT. It is a quick and easy lunch or dinner and goes nicely with a side of tomato soup or another soup of your choice.

Ingredients (Makes 4 Sandwiches):
Crispy eggplant:
● ½ cup panko breadcrumbs
● ½ cup whole wheat flour
● 1 teaspoon onion powder
● 1 teaspoon garlic powder
● Salt and pepper
● 2 eggs, beaten (or flax eggs, if you want to make vegan)
● oil to coat pan
● 1 small eggplant, sliced into ¼-inch pieces
Sandwiches:
● mayonnaise (regular or vegan)
● 8 slices bread, toasted if desired
● lettuce
● tomato, sliced

Instructions:
1. Stir panko breadcrumbs, whole wheat flour, onion powder, garlic powder, salt and pepper in a large bowl. Place another bowl with the beaten eggs (or flax eggs) next to the breadcrumb mixture. Both bowls should be wide enough to fit the largest slice of eggplant.
2. Heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Dip a piece of eggplant in the egg (or flax egg), and then dip in the breadcrumb mixture until fully coated. Transfer to the skillet and cook for 3 minutes, or until the bottom turns brown. Flip and cook for an additional 2 minutes, or until both sides are brown and crispy. Repeat with remaining eggplant slices, cooking in batches to allow space between each piece in the skillet.
3. Once cooked, transfer eggplant to a towel-lined plate until ready to serve.
4. Prepare BLT sandwiches as desired with mayo, tomato, lettuce, and eggplant!
Notes:
● Vegan variation: Use flax eggs and vegan mayonnaise.
● To make a flax egg: whisk 1 tablespoon ground flaxseeds with 3 tablespoons of water. Wait five minutes, or until the consistency is similar to a beaten egg.

Nutrition Facts (varies depending on bread type, etc, so this is an estimate)
Servings 4.0
Amount Per Serving
calories 454
% Daily Value *
Total Fat 32 g 49 %
Saturated Fat 2 g 12 %
Monounsaturated Fat 2 g
Polyunsaturated Fat 6 g
Trans Fat 0 g
Cholesterol 98 mg 33 %
Sodium 624 mg 26 %
Potassium 53 mg 2 %
Total Carbohydrate 67 g 22 %
Dietary Fiber 5 g 22 %
Sugars 1 g
Protein 13 g 27 %
Vitamin A 13 %
Vitamin C 12 %
Calcium 6 %
Iron 4 %

Recipe from: https://gratefulgrazer.com/home/vegetarian-eggplant-blt/

See it on Anna’s Website at: https://www.holisticnutritioncoach.org/eggplant-blt

Anna Pippin, MSHN
Anna Pippin, MSHNOwner of Holistic Nutrition Coach, LLC.
Anna lives in Lyme and is the owner of Holistic Nutrition Coach, LLC.. She believes one can heal from eating whole, nutritious foods and it is her passion to help and support others on their own path to nutritional wellness. Visit her website at www.holisticnutritioncoach.org.

If you have a recipe you would like to share, please reach out to shelby@cclyme.org. 

Shelby Wood
Manager of Program Development
CommunityCare of Lyme
Shelby@cclyme.org
802-468-7776