Grilled Eggplant and Goat Cheese Salad

Since the weather has been warming up here in Central Illinois, Andrew and I have been taking advantage of the unusually high temperatures by firing up the grill and dining al fresco each evening. This light and simple salad is one of my favorite dishes to make once the weather warms up. It’s hearty enough for a healthy light lunch but also makes for a wonderful side dish to grilled meats. And the flavor? Well this flavor combination couldn’t get any better! Grilled eggplant topped with goat cheese crumbles, toasted pine nuts, basil and mint, then drizzled with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

One Year Ago: Chewy, Chunky Blondies 

Grilled Eggplant and Goat Cheese Salad

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Ingredients:

• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 7 Japanese eggplant, ends trimmed, cut crosswise into 1-inch wide slices
• 1/2 cup toasted pine nuts
• 3 ounces goat cheese, crumbled
• 1/3 cup basil, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons chopped mint
• 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

Directions:

1. Place a grill pan over medium-high heat or preheat a gas or charcoal grill. Drizzle the olive oil over the slices of eggplant and toss to coat. Sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste. Grill the eggplants until tender and grill marks appear, about 3 to 4 minutes per side.
2. Place the eggplants side-by-side on a serving platter. Sprinkle with the pine nuts, goat cheese, basil, and mint. Drizzle with extra-virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper.

Yields: 4 to 6 servings
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 8 minutes

Source: Food Network