Craving garlic bread, but watching your carbs? Roasted Eggplant Slices The Perfect Bread Alternative is just what you need!
You don’t have to sacrifice taste. Eggplant slices are topped with greek seasoning, artichokes, feta cheese and black olives. Bake, slice, eat!
I will confess, bread is one of my sacred foods. Seriously if I could not eat bread (at least once in a while) I would be one grumpy person. It’s no joke when I say if I was stranded on an island just give me bread, cheese, and wine. Ok, I need some water too….I have to stay hydrated.
Gluten free bread has come a long way. In the beginning, it was like eating cardboard. Now, if it is made well, you can’t even tell the difference. Although I don’t have dietary restrictions, I would be more than happy to eat the gluten free variety over no bread at all.
Cooking With Eggplant
Growing up in a Ukrainian household, I had my share of beets, cabbage, sauerkraut, and dill pickles. The cold room was always stocked with all kinds of preserves, jams and sauces. Never, and I mean ever, did I once have eggplant as a kid. I didn’t even know what it was.
Now, had I grown up in just about any other household, eating eggplant would be a whole other story. From Italy to Greece, Asia to India, eggplant is a staple for so many wonderful dishes.
Moussaka, ratatouille, parmigiana, baba ganoush, just to name a few. Pickled, grilled and baked. The delicious list is endless in the ways to enjoy this wonderful vegetable.
Experiment In The Kitchen
If there is one thing I LOVE about cooking, you can taste the culinary delights of the world without leaving home. Some people are afraid to experiment in the kitchen. That is not me. I am always trying new techniques and ingredients.
Do they all turnout? Nope. I have had the crash and burn experience a few times over the years. When this happens (it happens to the pros too), try again. Maybe not the same day, depending on the recipe, or the extent of failure. Persist, and tasty things will happen.
Eggplant has made an appearance a few times in my kitchen. I have made baba ganoush and ratatouille. My favourite way to cook vegetables is in the oven. Roasted Eggplant Medley is an easy recipe to try if you have never cooked with eggplant before.
For this recipe, I wanted to make an eggplant appetizer. Roasted Eggplant Slices The Perfect Bread Alternative is just that, a great alternative to bread. Simple to make, and delicious to eat. When you are craving garlic bread, but don’t want the carbs, this is a great choice. It even looks like bread slices.
Cut a medium eggplant in half. Score and brush with oil and seasoning. Top with artichokes, cheese, and olives. Bake, slice and eat. It turned out so good, we ate the whole thing for dinner. Seems if you pair it with a salad, it is a multi functional dish.
For this recipe I used artichokes canned in water. You could use marinated artichokes and it would be totally delicious too. It will however make a difference in the nutrition profile, more fat, calories and sodium. If you choose this route, I would skip the oil step all together.
What is your favourite flavour combination?
By all means, experiment in the kitchen and play with your own selection of toppings. I’m pretty sure you can come up with some great combinations. It’s like dressing a pizza.
I will say, even though I did not grow up eating eggplant, my curiosity paid off. Eggplant is no longer a mystery to me.
If you enjoy eggplant, check out this Vegan Chickpea and Eggplant Dip with Dill Pesto from my blogger friend Julia over at Imagelicious.
Roasted Eggplant Slices The Perfect Bread Alternative
Ingredients
- 1 medium eggplant
- 1/3 cup feta cheese (crumbled)
- 1/4 cup black olives (sliced)
- 1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp greek seasoning
- 1 can artichokes (canned in water) (chopped)
Instructions
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Preheat oven to 400º F. Spay a baking dish, or baking pan.
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In a small bowl, mix the olive oil and the greek seasoning. Set aside.
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Open the canned artichokes. Squeeze out excess liquid, and chop.
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Wash eggplant. Cut in half lengthwise. Slice a small piece off the back of each half just so the eggplant lays flat on the dish.
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Score the inside of each half in a diagonal pattern.
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Brush each half with the oil mixture.
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Top each half with the artichokes, feta and olives.
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Bake for 25 minutes, or until the skin has softened. If the cheese is browning too quickly, you can cover loosely with foil.
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Remove from oven, let cool for a couple of minutes and slice.
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ENJOY!!
Recipe Notes
For this recipe I used artichokes packed in water. If may not use the whole can. Place any remaining chopped artichokes in covered dish in the fridge, and use in other recipes like eggs, dips or even smoothies.
You can choose to use marinated artichokes. I would likely skip the oil step and just pile on the artichokes it place of it. It will however change the nutrition profile.
For a super easy eggplant side dish, try Roasted Eggplant Medley.
I have never used artichokes before whenever I see it in grocery store wonder what to do with it and won’t pick it. Eggplant is my favorite m. I think my family will like this verison withveggplant, looks comforting
I used canned artichokes…but will have to experiment with fresh ones too. This is a great dish to try using canned artichokes for sure.
Bread is just something I couldn’t live without! I do like the idea of an alternative though! Nice 🙂
I know…I can’t live without bread either, but it is nice to have options.
What an interesting idea for eggplant. I’m planning my garden now, I’ll have to dedicate some space for eggplants!!
Yes that is a great idea. Happy gardening!!
Eggplant, arthichokes, AND olives?! I love this combo!
Yes they all work very well together.
This looks so tasty!!
It sure was…hope you give it a try.
Such a fun way to use eggplant!
Yes it really is.
SO clever!
Thanks….it turned out well.
Eggplants are truly perfect bread alternative. That’s why I love them!
Thanks…this recipe did turn out well.
I LOVE this! But that topping has me drooling. Can’t wait to try .
It is a great combination for sure.
This is such a clever low carb hack for garlic bread!
Yes we do agree with you.
I recently saw someone use sweet potato as a toast but never have I seen eggplant! This is my new favorite crostini I can already tell! I am not sure that I can top the artichoke and olive and feta but I think I want to try it with some sundried tomato and capers too!
Well it was an experiment that totally worked!! Hope you give it a try.
I love garlic bread but I was always worrying about excess calories. This roasted eggplant sounds fantastic. And looks really delicious! I can’t wait to try this. Saving and sharing the recipe!
Thanks so much…we really enjoyed it. Hope you give it a try.
This is such a simple yet delicious recipe. I love eggplants and would happily include this in our next todo recipe llst. The addition of artichoke and olives would just enhance the taste even further.
Yes they additions worked really well with the eggplant.
I’ve always loved eggplant, and we love cooking it in endless ways. I love bread too much as well, l was trying to cut down on the amount l have, but not much luck though. I will try having eggplant instead, it sounds like a great alternative.
We ate the whole thing for dinner..and didn’t miss bread either.
I’m not the biggest eggplant fan, but the toppings you have on top look really good and makes me want to give it a shot! Thanks for sharing!
Yes I hear what you are saying. Give it a try, you might just like it.
It’s been quite some time since I’ve had eggplant but you’re making me want to run out and buy some just to try this recipe! I absolutely love the flavors you put on top, feta, olives and artichokes are some of my all time favs. Next time I’m at the store, I’m going to grab me an eggplant just so I can try this recipe! Love the low cab, bread alternative!
It did work well. We ate the whole thing with a simple side salad.
Oh you are speaking my language! Bread = love! AND especially warm bread straight from the oven with butter…. OMG! I also love eggplants too… and now you have me craving both! I love this idea!
HAHAH…yes I can never give up bread, but with this I can eat it a little less often.
This recipe = ALL the heart eyes! I absolutely love roasted eggplant. Pinning for later!
Hope you enjoy it as much as we did.
Looks delicious I cook with eggplant but never tried eaten them like this I know when eggplant roasted it gives really nice taste.
We loved it and at the whole thing for dinner.
Great minds think alike, Gloria! I just literally finished cooking with eggplant. I love the addition of the canned artichokes to this roasted eggplant. Canned artichokes are always present in my pantry. We love them!
This really was an experiment that turned out so good.
Wow, this is SO creative!!! I try to find new vegetables to use in place of bread and noodles and this recipe sounds right up my alley. Not only do I love eggplant, but feta cheese is pretty much in everything I eat. Love this!
Well hope you give it a try.
I’m always looking for ways to reduce carbs with other tasty ingredients. . .and I must say. . .I’m with you it’s hard to find alternatives for bread (especially garlic bread. . .which just so happens to be one of my favorites). Loving your use of eggplant. . .which just so happens to be one of the hubby’s favorites (win-win). I’m also loving that you gave it a Greek spin.. I mean. . .one can never get enough feta after all.
HAHAH….yes I agree on ALL accounts…and feta…well that stands alone as totally delicious.
What a fun way to cook eggplant! I love artichokes and kalamata olives, those taste so good together!
Yes it is a great combination of flavours.
This is a great idea, and one I hadn’t considered. I haven’t like eggplant in the past, but perhaps it is how it was prepared? Definitely going to try this. You may turn me into a fan!
Well it took me a long time to like it, so you never know.
There is no way that I can give up bread. Uh, uh, no way! I’m Italian and I was raised on eggplant made in many forms but I would have my slice of bread with your recipe. 🙂 And on that island with you — I’d bring the salami. And as far as experimenting, that’s what’s fun about cooking. I love to cook. It’s not that I want to eat it, although I’d like a little taste, it the creating process. I like your recipe I’m pinning.
HAHAH…deal salami would be great too…we would be set for sure.
I never thought to use eggplant in this way. I usually slice it so thin. I love this idea leaving it nice and thick. It must be delicious and a great non-carb option!
It really was, hope you give it a try.
What a brilliant idea! To be honest I am not
A big fan of bread but I do love eggplant!! Mmm!
Well it certainly works well as a bread alternative.
That’s one fantastic idea. Though we use eggplant much in cuisine, never thought of replacing it for bread. I have made few faux pizzas with these big ones though. Will try it sometime.
Well it did work great. Hope you give it a try.
You may have missed out on eggplant but I would have loved to grow up with a cold room all devoted to fermenting food! Super jealous. Anyway, I love this idea! Bread is sacred to me as well but sometimes it’s nice to change things up and this is great. I would love a flavor combination similar to eggplant parmesan, only much lighter.
Yeah the cold room….funny it’s something I never got interested in.
This sounds delicious! I really love eggplant but never thought of preparing it this way. And since I follow a gluten free diet this would be great for me. Can’t wait to try this and it looks so Easy too 🙂
YES…perfect for gluten free fans!!
What a great way to use eggplant! I love these Mediterranean flavors. This is perfect for those of us who can’t eat gluten.
Well we devoured the whole thing for dinner…and loved it.
What a terrific way to enjoy eggplant. Contrary to your experience, I’ve grown up on this nightshade and Love it (with a capital L).
HAHAH…well I am glad I ventured into experimenting with it. It sure is delicious.
Two of my favorite veggies eggplant and artichokes. And topped with cheese.. You got me Gloria!!!
Yes I love both as well…and the feta speaks for itself.
I think this is a wonderful idea and it would make a great #meatfreemonday meal for us, or as an alternative when kids are having pizza and us adults don’t want the evening carbs. I would love to try your recipe, Am thinking adding some homemade roasted tomato sauce underneath all that deliciousness.
I think roasted tomato sauce sounds like a great addition!!
Sounds like a wonderful alternative to bread. I love and enjoy my share of eggplants, especially grilled, but I just can’t quit bread. 🙂
Yup…LOVE bread too.
Goodness I just adore eggplant – but it has to be fully cooked… Or else, meh.. haha! I like it SOAKING in olive oil 😉
Well you can cook this as much as you like….but if it too well done, it might be hard to pick up with your fingers.
What an interesting alternative to bread!
Yes it sure is.
I love Eggplant. I actually grew up eating it but it was Georgian influence definitely: Eggplant with walnuts! This recipe looks amazing!
I am so glad I was interested in trying eggplant….it really is delicious.
I’m really a gluten addict! and I try to cut on it so badly but it’s hard to find those alternatives. This sounds like a great one! I’ll have to try, love the olive touch in there also.
We ate the whole thing for dinner…with a side salad. Perfect and healthy…no guilty indulgence.
We are big fans of eggplant. This sounds delicious! And a great alternative to all the carbs!
It was so good….we ate the whole thing for dinner.
This is a lovely idea, egg plant (or aubergine here in the UK) is delicious. and I adore artichokes!
It turned out great….we ate the whole thing.
What a great idea,to use eggplant in place of a slice of bread. Inspirational!
Thanks…it was totally delicious.
I love roasted eggplants. But I make it a little differently. Sometimes, I slice them up into thin rounds and just fry them with olive oil. Sometimes, I just roast them and mash them with spices and we enjoy it as a dip. I will try your recipe as well.
Lots of ways to enjoy eggplant…all are delicious.
I could survive on bread,cheese and wine too 🙂 It’s kind of unfair that we can’t, haha. But I guess it leaves room for recipes like this, which looks wonderful, I don’t eat eggplant enough, this looks like a new interesting way to prepare it.
Give it a try….you might just like it.
i LOVE eggplants but NEVER thought to use them as a bread substitute… interesting…
It really works well…and is so delicious.
These look so delicious. I need to cook with Aubergine more than I do. Such an inventive recipe.
I am so glad I did experiment with it…and found out I like it.
I love anything with hearty eggplant!
It turned out so well…we ate the whole thing.
This is perfect for anyone watching their carbs! I bet it tastes even better than bread too!
HAHA…we ate the whole thing in one sitting…and there was only 2 of us!!
This has my name all over it
Hope you give it a try.
Truly beautiful dish!
Super easy…and super delicious.
I love eggplant! So glad you tried it late in life so you could share this recipe 😉
Me too…we love it now!!