WHB: Eggplant and Goat-Cheese Sandwiches with Tomato Tarragon Sauce

As soon as I made this dish, I looked at the end result and thought, "It's a Whoopie Pie!"   As I dearly adore them, this added to the pleasure of eating this dish, so I'll always think of this as eggplant Whoopie Pie.  I enjoyed this recipe, as did my husband. However, he said that it reminded him of a souffle, and he's not crazy about them. So, he liked it, but it wasn't substantial enough for him. I loved it (I like souffles).  This was very quick to make. In fact, have everything ready because once you start cooking, it all goes like the wind. 

The dish has great contrasting tastes of sweet tomato sauce, crunchy panko crust, soft eggplant and creamy goat cheese.  The tomato sauce has the surprise seasoning of tarragon, rather than the expected sweet basil.   It adds a sweet anise flavor that makes the dish distinctive. Of course, you could substitute the basil, but I will always make this with the tarragon.  I offer this wonderful recipe for Weekend Herb Blogging, which was created by the amazing Kalyn of Kalyn's Kitchen.  This week WHB is being hosted by one of my favorite bloggers, Susan at Food Blogga. Go to her excellent site and see the Roundup of herby recipes by bloggers around the world.

This is a very fast, simple dish to make. Have everything assembled and keep a steady eye on the eggplant as you fry it. It browns  quickly, barely 1 minute per side.  I came periously close to having my skillet catch on fire when oil splashed onto the burner, as I laid in a breaded eggplant slice.  But, why not a little drama?   It was worth it.

I also made a few without the top layer of eggplant.  Delicious!

By the way, is it spelled Whoopee or Whoopie Pie?  (Because it's very important to know.)

Eggplant and Goat-Cheese Sandwiches with Tomato Tarragon Sauce

(Food & Wine)

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 small onion, chopped
3 cups fresh or canned crushed tomatoes in thick puree (one 28-ounce can)
1 teaspoon fresh tarragon
1- 1/4 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon fresh-ground black pepper
1 cup dry bread crumbs (I used plain Panko)
1/2 cup grated Parmesan
2 eggplants, peeled and cut to make sixteen 1/2-inch-thick slices in all
4 eggs, beaten to mix
Cooking oil, for frying
1/2 pound mild goat cheese, such as Montrachet, cut into 8 rounds

DIRECTIONS
    1.    In a medium saucepan, heat the olive oil over moderately low heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until translucent, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, tarragon, 3/4 teaspoon of the salt, and the sugar and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 25 minutes. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon of the pepper.
    2.    Meanwhile, heat the oven to 350°. In a medium bowl, combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan, and the remaining 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper.
    3.    Dip each slice of eggplant in the eggs and then in the bread-crumb mixture, coating well. In a large frying pan, heat about half an inch of cooking oil over moderate heat until very hot. Fry the eggplant in the hot oil, in batches, turning once, until golden and cooked through, 1 to 2 minutes per side. Drain on paper towels.
    4.    Arrange half of the eggplant slices in a single layer on a baking sheet. Put a slice of goat cheese on top of each and then top with the remaining eggplant slices. Bake until the cheese melts, about 10 minutes. Put the sauce on plates and top with the eggplant.

Comments

[Tara]

Oh my, that looks delicious! I am bookmarking this one to try VERY soon... yum!!

[angie]

Now this is one very delicious-looking sandwich :)

[baking soda]

Yum! Eggplant: check! Goat cheese: check!
Bookmarked: right now!

[Katiez]

I like Whoopie Pies...
This has been copied and pasted... Would make a great first course.
I like tarragon with tomato sauce - Just a hint of something new... and, of course, my favorite goat's cheese!

[Glenna]

OMG, I'm in heaven. I love all of those ingredients. I have to make this. More goat cheese, please!

[Tanna]

Oh my heart be still because my tummy is up in arms! Whohoo that looks fantastic Wow. I'm off to get an eggplant although I may have breakfast first. Sher this is way good.

[Kalyn]

Just wow, wow, wow. I love everything about this. And they have 100% whole wheat panko so I can even make it friendly for my diet! Woo Hoo. Sher, you have outdone yourself on this one.

[Jenn]

Oh I wish there was goat cheese here! That looks seriously yummy!

[Susan from Food Blogga]

Awww, thanks, Sher. You're a sweetie too. :) And these whoopie pies areaking me jump up and down with delight. I adore eggplant, and with the tarragon-tomato sauce--oh, my--is it lunchtime yet? Thanks for the delicious WHB entry!

[Lydia]

It is -- it is -- an eggplant whoopie pie! Such a nice presentation of this combination of ingredients.

[Callipygia]

These whoopies are to die for- move over buttercream! I was just drooling over spanish eggplant sandwiches which had ham and cheese inside, batter dipped and fried. Now to see this, Bookmarked-

[Anh]

pretty and delicious... Sher, you always have the best food around! ;)

[Biggie at Lunch in a Box]

This looks outstanding! I love the color contrast of the white goat cheese between the brown panko-ed eggplant, plus the red of the sauce. A feast for the eyes as well as the stomach.

[Kristen]

I am so fascinated by these. I bet they are great!

[Ann]

Oh boy. This looks so yummy. I really shall try to make this dish...maybe next weekend.

[The Cooking Ninja]

ooooh ... this is super good and with goat cheese ... yummy for my better half :) I have to try it out for him.

[Butta Buns]

Wowie, that looks insanely delicious!

A little drama indeed, glad nothing caught fire. You've had enough heat in Sacramento lately!

[Alisha]

Wow .. this looks fantastic! I made eggplant this week also but didn't sandwich it with cheese. Great idea!

[Nora]

My goodness, that looks perfect! Do you think that I can bake the eggplants instead? I'm not a fan of frying because I'm not good at it (oil goes everywhere) and I have no patience. If I can stick it in the oven, that would be great!

[Burcu]

Sher, this is not fair! I come here late night and saw those delicious yummies. Goat cheese, first thing in the morning and having this for lunch. mmmmm

[Dolores]

This has to be one of the most gorgeous things I've ever seen done with eggplant and goat cheese -- two of my very favorite foods!

[sher]

Tara, Baking Soda,

Thank you so much. I love the read that I've been bookmarked!

Angie,

Luckily--it was also delicious tasting, as well as looking good!

Katiez,

I love Whoopie Pies too! And this would make a great first course.

Glenna,

I know how you love goat cheese..........

Kalyn,

Yes, I also thought of the whole wheat panko. I sure love it!

Jenn,

Ahhh--I wish you and Kami had some goat cheese to share.

Susan,

Thank you for doing such a great job hosting.

Lydia,

Eggplant Whoopie Pies! Who knew? :):)

Biggie,

Thank you--the pretty colors were the thing that made me wnat to make this.

Callipygia,

Yum--those Spanish eggplant sandwiches sound great.

Anh,

Thank you, and I always defer to you for great food! :)

Kristen,

They really were great--and easy!

Ann,

Oh good! I hope you enjoy them.

The Cooking Ninja,

Great! I do hope you and your better half enjoy them!

Butta Buns,

Yes--no fires for us anymore!!!! (Fingers crossed.)

Alisha,

Thanks--anything is better sandwiched with cheese!

Nora,

I think that would be a good experiment! I've "fried" eggplant in the oven before, and it tasted great.

Burcu,

Great! By the way, I saw your beautiful ratatouille. It's fabulous!

Delores,

I'm blushing! Eggplant and goat cheese certainly do work well together, so I hope you try it. :)

[peabody]

This just looks really fantastic. I never think to put goat cheese with the eggplant...nice.

[Sara, Ms. Adventures in Italy]

That looks really good, my husband would love that! (And maybe me, too!) Will try it soon!

[Alanna]

Wow - and what do I WANT to eat? THAT!!