Grilled Balsamic Vegetable and Brie Sandwiches


Grilling vegetables is usually something I save for the summertime. With bushel upon bushel of fresh vegetables available at my local farmers' market and the ease of grilling in the summer months, it is a no-brainer when dinner time rolls around.

With temperatures hovering around 15 degrees, I enlisted my grill pan instead of my grill for dinner a couple nights ago. I made a trip to my favorite market that I previously posted about and picked up a shopping cart full of Japanese eggplants, zucchini, sweet peppers, vadalia onions, portebello mushrooms, fresh rolls, and brie cheese with plans to make Grilled Balsamic Vegetable and Brie Sandwiches. This sandwich was a popular item at the gourmet cafe where I used to work. I occasionally like to prepare some recipes from my days in the cafe's kitchen.

With a hot grill pan and a sturdy pair of tongs, I grilled up a tray of vegetables for our sandwiches. I also made a thick balsamic vinaigrette to accent the grilled vegetables flavor.
We are trying to add a vegetarian meal a week to our menu plan. The Grilled Balsamic Vegetable and Brie Sandwiches were packed with flavor and so satisfying that we did not even miss our usual chicken, beef or fish with our dinner.

Grill up a garden of vegetables to enjoy during the week. It will be a time saver and a nutritious addition to your diet.

Grilled Balsamic Vegetable and Brie Sandwiches

makes 4 sandwiches

3 Japanese eggplants or 1 eggplant, sliced thin lengthwise
2 medium zucchini, sliced thin lengthwise
3 portebello mushrooms
1 large vadalia onion, sliced in thin rings
2 yellow, orange or red peppers, cut in thin pieces
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon honey
3/4 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
2/3 cup olive oil
4 large sandwich rolls, sliced
about 12 - 16 slices of brie cheese

Preheat oven to 425 degrees.

Heat a grill pan to medium high heat. Toss vegetables in olive oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper. Grill in batches until slightly charred and tender, turning once. Remove from pan and place on a tray. Slice the mushrooms in large pieces.

Meanwhile, in a small bowl combine balsamic vinegar, mustard, honey, salt, and pepper. Whisk in olive oil until vinaigrette is well combined.

To assemble sandwiches, place the bottom half of the rolls on a large baking tray and brush with the balsamic vinaigrette. Top with an assortment of the vegetables. Place the top half on the rolls on the baking tray, brush with the balsamic vinaigrette, and place 3 - 4 slices of the brie cheese on top. Place baking sheet in oven to crisp the rolls and melt the cheese. Remove the baking sheet from the oven and put the 2 halves of the sandwiches together. Cut each sandwich in half.

26 comments:

That Girl said...

This is too funny because we're doing sandwiches tonight and came thisclose to using brie!

LizNoVeggieGirl said...

Divine!!

Jersey Girl Cooks said...

I love grilled veggie sandwiches. When I saw grill I was thinking, is she crazy to be outside but then I saw grill pan. I am waiting for it to hit 40 so i can cook outside again.

Rindy R said...

There is truly nothing better then Brie - but I bet those grilled veggies take it up a notch. Thanks for sharing - I don't really think about grilling veggie this time of year either!

Anonymous said...

yes, I wish it was warm enough to do this outside too - I love this kind of sandwich for lunch, really fresh tasting!

Valerie Harrison (bellini) said...

This reminds me of summer and its bold fresh flavours!!!!!

Michele said...

Your sandwich reminds me of one that I had last weekend at Rockn' Joes. Instead of Brie they used a mild goat cheese. I love grilled vegetable sandwiches. They are always so flavorful and remind me of lazy summer days.

Peter M said...

It's grilles, it's kinda healthy and then there's Brie...damn tasty!

MaryBeth said...

even though I am not a big fan of the veggie, this sammie does look very good.

Anonymous said...

Love to use grilled vegetables on sandwiches - I'll remember to try them with brie next time! Yours looks fantastic.

DineInDiva said...

That looks like summer on a plate!

Hmmm, I might try that on my electric panini grill since a) I have no kitchen right now and b) avg temp today is supposed to be 11

kat said...

This sounds like it would be a favorite of mine

Creative Classroom Core said...

ooooohhh... that sounds amazing! I will be making this soon!!!

Robin said...

Now that is a lot of veggies- I could definitley get my rainbow this way. Looks fantastic! We are finally getting a little snow here so I must grill inside!

Colleen said...

Brie is basically my favorite cheese and I love the idea of serving it with the grilled vegetables.

Annie said...

Great little taste of summer! Love it.

Dragon said...

This is my kind of healthy. :)

La Cuisine d'Helene said...

This looks so good.

Sara said...

What a gorgeous sandwich, I love melted brie!

Lisa magicsprinkles said...

Oh yum!

Anonymous said...

why haven't I ever thought to put brie on a sammie before!

Brilliant!

Patsyk said...

I love grilled veggies and those sandwiches look amazing! Gonna have to try that soon!

Linda said...

Thanks for visiting my blog and I am glad to have found yours. These sandwiches are going on my list for a weeknight supper!

test it comm said...

What a great sandwich!

Anonymous said...

Wow! Yet another winner! This sounds really delicious, though I may have to switch the Brie for, oh, maybe a Scamorza Affumicata (a smoked italian cheese). But will try this one too.

vanillasugarblog said...

Oh these look super yummy! I am printing this one!