Happy Memorial Day - Celebrating with a Sandwich

Today is a day for remembrance.  I have a multitude of loved ones who have passed away that I deeply miss, one of which inspired my recipe choice for today.  Last week, my Mom and I went out for dinner.  It was Dad's golf night and we tend to get together on those nights for dinner.  We got to talking about my Grandma's love for eggplant.  I had never knew this about her until a few years ago when Mom happened to mention it for whatever reason, maybe because Grandma never prepared eggplant when I was around. She knew there would be no way in hell I would ever have eaten it as a child.  It was too strange and exotic for my tastes.  I only discovered that I enjoy eggplant about 10 years ago when my friend Ann and Jenny decided to get an eggplant parmasian at a Italian joint we were eating at. Daringly, I took a bite and LOVED it.  I have only began to cook with it myself, in the last year or so but even then only rarely. 

The day after my conversation with my Mom, I found a great recipe app for my Droid phone.  As I was scrolling through the app, I happened upon one that made me smile, Grilled Eggplant Parmigiana Heros.  It was the most perfect sandwich to celebrate Memorial Day with. 

Grilled Eggplant Parmigiana Hero adapted from Epicurious

Marinara Ingredients:
1 1/2 pounds Roma Tomatoes, chopped
2 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 small onion, chopped finely
5 cloves garlic, chopped finely
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
1/3 cup grated parmesan cheese
1 tsp Italian Seasoning
1/2 tsp sea salt
1/4 tsp pepper

Eggplant Hero Ingredients:
4 Hoagie rolls
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 - 1 pound eggplants
8 slices provolone cheese
basil leaves

Directions:
1.  In food processor or blender, blend tomatoes  until smooth. 
2.  Heat olive oil in heavy saucepan on medium-high heat, add onions, garlic and red pepper flakes and saute until golden brown.  Add tomato sauce, italian seasoning, salt and pepper and simmer, uncovered  until sauce has thickened about 30-35 minutes.
3.  Once thickened, take sauce off heat and add parmesan cheese.
4.  Slice eggplant into 1/2 inch slices and brush with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and place on grill until tender, about 4 minutes on each side. 
5.  Place cheese slices on the grilled, tender eggplant slices and allow to melt before taking eggplant off the grill.
6.  Brush the cut sides of the hoagie rolls with olive oil and grill until crisp.
7.  Add some marinara to bottom slice of hoagie, top with eggplant some more sauce and a few basil leaves. 

This was one amazing sandwich.  I am actually going to place this sandwich on my top 5 list of favorite sandwiches ever.  It is that delicious, give it a try, you'll love it! ;^)