Eggplant, Tomato, and Pesto Stack

cheese tomato appetizer side bake vegetarian mozzarella basil eggplant summer healthy self pescatarian wheat/gluten-free peanut free soy free no sugar added kosher

Andrea Bemis

Makes 4 servings

Source

Ingredients

1/3 cup plus 2 tablespoons chopped walnuts, divided

2 cups fresh basil leaves, plus more for garnish

3 medium garlic cloves

1/2 cup plus 1 1/2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, divided

1/2 cup grated Parmesan

1 large eggplant, cut into 8 1/2-inch rounds

1 teaspoon sea salt

2 large heirloom tomatoes, cut into 4 slices each

4 slices (4 ounces) fresh mozzarella

1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar

Method

In a food processor, pulse 1/2 cup walnuts until finely chopped. Add 2 cups basil and garlic, and pulse while slowly adding 1/2 cup oil, scraping down sides as needed until smooth, about 1 minute. Add Parmesan; season with salt and black pepper; process until pesto is well combined. Heat oven to 400°F. Brush eggplant slices with remaining 1 1/2 tablespoons oil and sprinkle with sea salt; roast on a baking sheet, turning once, until tender and golden, 20 minutes. Top each with 1 tablespoon pesto. Alternately layer 2 eggplant slices, 2 tomato slices and 1 slice mozzarella. (Refrigerate any remaining pesto for another use.) Divide balsamic vinegar, remaining 2 tablespoons walnuts and basil leaves among stacks.