Grilled Eggplant Stack

Antioxidants in the eggplant may promote healthy aging and memory.

Yield: 4 servings (serving size: 1 stack)

Ingredients

• 1  (1-pound) eggplant, cut crosswise into 1/2-inch-thick slices
• 3/4  teaspoon  salt, divided
• 1/4  cup  balsamic vinegar
• 1/4  cup  dry red wine
• 1  tablespoon  brown sugar
• 1  small zucchini (about 4 ounces)
• 1  small yellow squash (about 4 ounces)
• 1  large red bell pepper, quartered lengthwise and seeded
• 1  teaspoon  olive oil
• 1/4  teaspoon  freshly ground black pepper
• 1/4  cup  (2 ounces) goat cheese
• 1  tablespoon  chopped fresh basil
• 1  teaspoon  chopped fresh oregano

Preparation

Place eggplant slices in a colander. Sprinkle evenly with 1/2 teaspoon salt; toss well. Let stand 10 minutes. Rinse slices thoroughly; dry with paper towels.

Combine vinegar, wine, and sugar in a small saucepan over medium heat; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, and simmer until reduced to 1/4 cup (about 8 minutes).

Prepare grill.

Trim ends from the zucchini and yellow squash; slice each lengthwise into 4 (1/4-inch-thick) slices. Flatten pepper pieces with hand. Brush eggplant, zucchini, squash, and pepper pieces with oil; sprinkle with remaining 1/4 teaspoon salt and black pepper. Place pepper pieces, skin side down, eggplant, zucchini, and squash on a grill rack; grill 8 minutes or until tender, turning once.

Combine cheese, basil, and oregano.

To assemble stack, place 1 eggplant slice on a plate; top with one-fourth of cheese mixture. Lay one strip of yellow squash and one strip of zucchini side by side. Drizzle with 1 1/2 teaspoons balsamic mixture. Top with one pepper piece. Top with one eggplant slice and drizzle with 1 1/2 teaspoons balsamic mixture. Repeat procedure three times with remaining eggplant, cheese, squash, zucchini, peppers, and balsamic mixture. Let stand 5 minutes before serving.

Nutritional Information

Calories:

117 (35% from fat)

Fat:

4.6g (sat 2.3g,mono 1.5g,poly 0.4g)

Protein:

5.4g

Carbohydrate:

15.5g

Fiber:

5.3g

Cholesterol:

7mg

Iron:

1.2mg

Sodium:

211mg

Calcium:

49mg