Elegant Eggplant Salad Towers (vegan)

Total Time: 25 mins Preparation Time: 10 mins Cook Time: 15 mins

Ingredients

• Servings: 4
• 1 large red bell pepper, roasted, peeled & minced
• 1/2 cup frozen green pea, thawed
• 1/3 cup minced red onion
• 1 garlic clove, peeled & minced
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 medium eggplant
• 1 large ripe tomato
• 4 boston lettuce leaves
• 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, minced
• 4 slices ciabatta, crusts removed
• salt & freshly ground black pepper

Recipe

• 1 in a medium bowl, combine the bell pepper, peas, onion & garlic. add the olive oil, vinegar, lemon juice & salt & pepper to taste. toss to combine & then set aside.
• 2 preheat the oven to 400°f cut the middle section of the eggplant into 12 1/4" thick slices & place on a lightly oiled baking sheet. season with salt & pepper to taste & then bake until soft, turning once, this should take 12-15 minutes approximately.
• 3 toast the bread in the oven or under the broiler / grill, to make 4 large croutons, set aside.
• 4 cut 4 1/4" thick slices from the tomato & set aside.
• 5 set out 4 salad plates & place 1 lettuce leaf on each plate. top each leaf with a crouton. using a slotted spoon, place an eggplant slice on top of the crouton. top with a spoonful of the marinated salad, followed by another slice of eggplant, followed by a slice of tomato.
• 6 repeat with the remaining marinated salad & top with the remaining eggplant slice. sprinkle with the parsley & drizzle with any remaining dressing from the marinated vegetables or additional olive oil.
• 7 serve immediately.