We’re getting to the point now where things are starting to get overwhelming. Orientation is in full swing here on the Weill Cornell Medical College campus. Our Whitecoat Ceremony was a few days ago, at which we received not only our…you guessed it white coats, but also our first stethoscopes! It’s actually beginning to sink in that I won’t be heading back to MIT this year and that I may actually be on this campus for the next 7-8 years.

The medical school class arrived on Friday with half of us going camping for a few days and the other half staying in NYC and familiarizing ourselves with the city. I am not really an outdoorsy kind of person, per say (although running outside has made me a bit more tolerant of such things) and the thought of peeing in a bush with people who I’d just met did not sound like the best way to make a good first impression, and so I decided to stay in the city. Since Monday, when the campers got back, we’ve been going out pretty frequently and trying to bond over anything and everything. We spend our days locked up in Weill Auditorium being orientated and our nights out on the town. One night we went on the Circle Line which is a boat tour around Manhattan, followed by some gin and tonics and $1 beers at a local bar. Then there was some good old-fashioned hanging out followed by some flip cup. And then last night there was, and this is my personal favorite, a trip to Baskin Robbins for some ice cream. We are living it up before classes start on Monday. At which point I am expecting that some kind of switch will go off in the heads of all the really hardcore premeds and they will lock themselves in their rooms with their anatomy textbook. I, not really being “one of those people” will do no such thing. In my opinion, passing is passing (especially since all of our classes are Pass/Fail) and while I will definitely strive to do well (I am after all a Type A person) I have never seen the sense in giving up my own personal happiness for .10 of a point on an exam.
That being said, amidst all of the mayhem, I have been craving simple and easy foods. Sandwiches, for instance, have become a fixation.

And really, at this point in the summer, when eggplants and tomatoes abound, what makes more sense than an eggplant parmesan sandwich? Especially when the eggplant is grilled (or broiled in my case), layered onto some good rosemary focaccia or ciabatta with slices of tomato, sprinkled with a dusting of parmesan cheese, and then popped under the broiler again so that the cheese gets melty and the bread gets crispy? There is very little that could have satisfied me more.

“Grilled” Eggplant Parmesan Sandwiches
Serves 3

1 loaf rosemary focaccia bread, cut into thirds
1 medium eggplant (about a pound)
2 tomatoes, sliced
1/2 cup marinara sauce (I used a jar of the Tomato-basil No Sugar Added sauce from Whole Foods)
6 tbsp parmesan cheese
salt to taste

1. Preheat the broiler to high. Slice the eggplant and place on a greased baking sheet. Spray the eggplant with cooking spray and sprinkle with salt. Broil until soft and beginning to brown, about 7-10 minutes.

2. To assemble the sandwiches, cut the thirds of bread in half so that you have two slices. On each half, put a layer of tomato sauce, a layer of eggplant, a sprinkling of parmesan cheese, a layer of tomatoes, a drizzle of tomato sauce, and a final sprinkling of parmesan cheese. Broil until the cheese has melted, 2-3 minutes.

I am submitting this to Souper Sunday over at Kahakai Kitchen.

As a final note, I thought I would spread the word about some blog events that are going on this month since I really love participating in them and it’s always good to know what’s out there. Please leave a comment if there are any that you really like to participate in that I don’t list. I’m sure there are many that I am not even aware of!

First there are the weekly events – Tyler Florence Fridays, Presto Pasta Nights, Souper Sundays, Blogger Secret Ingredient (the theme for this week is figs) and Weekend Herb Blogging.

Then there are the monthlys – Meeta’s Monthly Mingle over at What’s For Lunch, Honey (the theme for this month is heirloom recipes), Regional Recipes over at Blazing Hot Wok (the theme for this month is Spanish food), No Croutons Required (September’s theme has not been announced yet but will be soon, and Have the Cake (the theme for August is carrot cake).

Finally there is the bimonthly event that I participate in – Cook the Books.

All of these are tons of fun and I hope you participate in some or all of them!

You are reading this post on Eats Well With Others at https://joanne-eatswellwithothers.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author and or owner of Eats Well With Others. All rights reserved by Joanne Bruno.
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23 Responses to "Grilled" Eggplant Parmesan Sandwiches

  1. Palidor says:

    That is a yummy looking sandwich! Yesterday, I picked some tomatoes from my parents’ garden, so this would be a great way to eat them. Oh wait. No bread for me, haha!

    I agree with your philosophy on school. I was like that too. I knew that I would get good marks, but I didn’t see the point in killing myself just to get a slightly higher mark.

    BTW, good call on the camping. Can you imagine if you fell over while you were peeing and sat on a bug with your bare bottom?? Ewwwww!

  2. Mari says:

    Hey Chickie! that looks delish =)

    I have always wanted to go camping so I prob would have gone on the trip lol..when I was younger I used to work in Sears after school. I was in the sports dept and I would get so jealous of the people that would come in and buy Tents and camping things lol

  3. Megan says:

    Looks like a nice variation of traditional, fattening eggplant parm. Which I love, but I’d like to try this version instead – much healthier!

  4. Jen says:

    I love eggplant, you made me wanna make this!! looks really good!!

    Congrats on your coat and stethoscopes, wow that is so exciting!

    I love Tyler Florence, what is that event about?

    Jen

  5. I’m really not a fan of eggplant…I always find it so bitter. BUT everyone is talking about it lately (because it’s in season) and making these awesome dishes, like yours. SO, I’m going to experiment this coming week.

    Thanks for the heads-up on the food blogging events. That’s a great list.

    Finally, and most importantly, congrats on your white coat. I got my undergraduate degree (years ago) and still wake up thinking it was a dream. I struggled through school. I always admire people that go back for more!!

  6. Amy says:

    Crap! Very Culinary is the default when I get to your site, and sometimes I forget to change it. I’m sorry!!

  7. Justin says:

    hey, check it out, you are one of the two winners of that drawing I held this week. I don’t see an email address to contact you, but if you get this today, email me at work at [email protected] with your full name and an address and I’ll send you the book! And here is the announcement:

    http://justcooknyc.blogspot.com/

  8. great way to use these seasonal ingredients. And, those are fun events–I am a giant fan of PPN and WHB particularly. Have you ever thought about trying Royal Foodie Joust? That is another fun one.

  9. How do you keep up with so many cooking groups?
    I am trying to think of any I belong to that you did not mention. Yep, Craving for Ellie in My Belly, Ellie Krieger healthy food.

    I made a chicken sate with spicy peanut dipping sauce tonight. I can’t stop smiiling. You might want the recipe if not the group.

    Your eggplant looks delicious. I don’t even have bread in my house though.

  10. girlichef says:

    Great, quick meal! And…another 7-8 years! Wow, you have some stick-to-it-ness…good for you 🙂

  11. These look incredibly yummy! I love the weekly events but summer has me off track. Fall is cooking weather for me! What a commitment you’ve made – it’s inspiring.

  12. Elra says:

    Sounds really delicious Joanne. I love grilled eggplant.

  13. Kim says:

    Sounds like an exciting week, with a lot of great things in store for you! Looking forward to hearing about everything. Love the idea of the grilled eggplant parm sammie. I haven’t cooked with eggplant very much, but I’m warming up to the idea : ) Happy weekend!

  14. Shannon says:

    MMMmmm, eggplant. i didn’t like it as a kid, so i’m trying to make up for lost time 😉

  15. Mmm, eggplant parm, my favourite!

  16. Mansi says:

    Baskin Robins is my fav too..miss it though here..the sandwich looks absolutley divine…

  17. I am so excited for you with your new white coat and stethescope beginning. The eggplant parm sanwiches look incredible, that’s one terrific sandwich.

  18. nora@ffr says:

    looks magnificent!! love roasted eggplants!! yumm!!
    cheers!

  19. burpandslurp says:

    I’m grinning SO widely to see your passion and excitement for the upcoming year! I am so excited for you, Joanne! I hope you take a pic of yourself with your new stethescope! Haha, and I’m laughing at the nerdiness of this post, but that’s why I LOVE you, well, one of the many reasons anyway…
    another reason I love you…because I’m sucking up to you so you can come HERE and cook that delicious sammie for me!

  20. Debinhawaii says:

    Such a busy week and you still managed to make a delicious sandwich–it looks great! Thanks for sending it along to Souper Sundays!

  21. natalia says:

    I love your grilled eggplant sandwich !! Congratulation for the white coat and stethoscope !!

  22. Kerstin says:

    Love this, it looks so tasty and quick to assemble! And yay for medical school starting – how exciting!

  23. Just saw these tasty eggplant treats. They look delicious.

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