One of my favorite comfort dishes is tomato soup with grilled cheese – I loved to dunk my sandwich into the tomato soup, even thinking about it makes me hungry! Once I found out that I have gluten sensitivity, my hopes of continuing to eat this favorite started to diminish. I needed to find an alternative to the grilled cheese portion! Luckily my husband is a foodie and came up with the great idea of replacing the bread from the sandwich with breaded eggplant slices! Here is our recipe – enjoy!
TOMATO SOUP
- 8 cloves garlic
- 1 onion, quartered
- 3 – 4 lb mixed tomatoes (and type/color)
- 2.5 cups chicken broth
- 1 bay leaf
- 1 basil leaves (fresh, chopped)
- 1 tbsp. butter
- 1/4 cup half & half
Preheat the oven to 425 degrees. Roast tomatoes, garlic cloves, and onion in the oven for 25-30 minutes. In a stockpot, bring 2 1.2 cups of chicken broth to a boil, one bay leaf, two basil, and butter. Remove tomatoes from the oven. Add to stockpot. Bring to a boil again. Cook for an additional 5 minutes. Take off the heat. With an emersion blender, blend the contents in the stockpot to the desired consistency. Add up to 1/4 cup half and a half if you would like it to be creamier. Salt and pepper to taste.
EGGPLANT SANDWICHES
- 1 medium eggplant, peeled and sliced the long way
- Fresh mozzarella slices (or you can use any cheese you like!)
- Gluten-free breadcrumbs
- Gluten-free flour
- Eggs (beaten)
- Vegetable oil
- Dried parsley, oregano, and basil (for seasoning the breadcrumbs)
Season the breadcrumbs to your liking with the parsley, oregano, and basil. Dredge the eggplant slices in the gluten-free flour, then egg, then gluten-free breadcrumbs and fry with the vegetable oil, or bake in the oven at 325 degrees until golden brown. If fried, pat dry with a paper towel to remove any excess oil.
Make a sandwich with two slices of eggplant and cheese, then place in a toaster or conventional oven until the cheese melts.
Tell me what you think!
Mamma says
Superb next time I see you I’ll have that for lunch.
Love you
Mamma
Tianna says
yum! thanks for sharing ♥
Dana says
Thanks Tianna!
Mandi says
Interesting twist on a classic!
Dana says
Thanks Mandi, glad you liked it!
Earl-Leigh says
This is definitely a game changer. Can’t wait to try!
Dana says
I hope you like it!! 🙂
Maegan Dockery says
This is genius! I don’t have a gluten allergy/sensitivity, but I still think this is so smart and I can’t wait to try it! My husband and I like making macaroni and cheese and adding the tomato soup into that. It isn’t gluten-free or anything, but it’s a fun spin on the ultimate comfort food! Maybe it would work with spaghetti squash or zucchini noodles, though! Something to think about 🙂
Dana says
Thanks Maegan! I can totally make my gluten-free mac and cheese and add the tomato soup – that sounds delicious. Thank YOU for that recommendation 🙂
Emily says
Interesting! I have never had an eggplant sandwich but now I need to try one. Thanks for sharing!
Dana says
I didn’t think it would be a good replacement for the bread portion of the grilled cheese, but it was great!
Jessica says
I love tomato soup! Can’t wait to try!
Dana says
I can’t wait for you to try it out Jessica!
CourtneyLynne says
Oooo now this sounds beyond delicious! Who doesn’t absolutely love grilled cheese. Too yummy!
Dana says
I totally agree with you!
Chelsie says
um, YUM! My husband is has a gluten allergy and I am totally going to try this out for him! Also, I love love love tomato soup!
Dana says
Chelsie, I have some other gluten-free recipes if you want! They are under the “food” category. I hope you both like this#
Angie says
I can’t even tell you how much I love this combo! Even though I’m not technically allergic to gluten I try to avoid it when I can. Pinned!
Dana says
Thanks for visiting and pinning, Angie!
Chantal says
Thanks so much for creating this post Dana! I am gluten free and I find it hard to buy store bought gluten free soups so this is awesome! Thanks for joining the Link-It To Me Link Party, I hope you will party with us again next week! Pinning 🙂
Dana says
You are very welcome, Chantal!
Adriana says
Holy moly!! I love grilled cheese and tomato soup so much – and I LOVE eggplant! I’m definitely going to make this!! : ) Thanks for joining the Link-It To Me Link Party, I hope you will party with us again next week!
xo Adriana
Daily Dose of Design
Dana says
Sounds right up your alley! Enjoy Adriana!
Amanda C. says
Wow I cannot wait to try this thanks for sharing!