Creamy Eggplant Mushroom Monte Cristo Food

GRILLED EGGPLANT PANINI WITH BASIL AIOLI

Steps:

• For aioli, place the first 8 ingredients in a blender; cover and process until smooth. , Brush vegetables with oil. Place in broiling pan and broil 3-4 inches from heat, or grill, covered, over medium heat until tender, 4-5 minutes per side. Chop the peppers when cool enough to handle. , Spread cut sides of each roll with 2 tablespoons aioli; top each with cheese. Layer bottoms with eggplant and peppers. Replace tops., In a panini press, grill sandwiches until cheese is melted, 5-7 minutes. Serve remaining aioli with sandwiches or save for another use.

CREAMY EGGPLANT PARMESAN CASSEROLE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 400°F.
• Cover 2 baking sheets with parchment. Combine bread crumbs and 1/4 cup Parmesan in shallow dish. Reserve 2 Tbsp. crumb mixture for later use. Spray both sides of 1 eggplant slice with cooking spray; dip in remaining bread crumb mixture, turning to evenly coat both sides of eggplant slice. Place on prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining eggplant slices.
• Bake 30 min. or until eggplant is tender and golden brown, turning after 15 min.
• Meanwhile, microwave cream cheese in medium microwaveable bowl on HIGH 40 sec. Gradually whisk in milk until blended. Stir in garlic and 1/4 cup basil.
• Spread 1/4 cup cream cheese sauce onto bottom of 9-inch pie plate sprayed with cooking spray. Top with layers of 1/3 of the eggplant, 4 cheese slices, 1/4 cup of the remaining Parmesan and 1/3 cup of the remaining cream cheese sauce; repeat layers twice. Top with tomatoes, remaining cheese slices and reserved crumb mixture.
• Bake 25 min. or until heated through. Sprinkle with remaining basil.