Caprese Salad with Grilled Eggplant (low-FODMAP recipe)

Caprese Salad with Grilled Eggplant (low-FODMAP recipe)

Grilling is the perfect cooking method for low fodmap recipes because it adds a ton of flavor. I took a classic Italian tomato and mozzarella salad and added slices of eggplant with a char straight from the grill. It's simple, fast, and delicious.

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During summer, I want easy recipes using the fresh produce that isn’t around come January in Chicago. I also want to grill as much as possible.

If you agree, you’ll love this recipe! “Easy” is really an understatement. Make this dish once and you’ll have it memorized forever. :-)

It’s a caprese salad, the classic Italian salad with colors meant to resemble the Italian flag, with the tasty addition of grilled eggplant. The eggplant makes this a more substantial side or appetizer, or even a light meatless meal.

When you have IBS, large servings of vegetables can be hard to digest, but caprese gives you that salad experience without a big bowl of lettuce and raw veggies. If you’re sensitive to vegetables, start with a small serving and see how you feel!

Looking for more low-FODMAP grilling recipes? Check out Lemon-Caper Fish and Veggies Grilled in Foil Packets or the Grilled Steak with Chimichurri Sauce!

Caprese Salad with Grilled Eggplant

This salad works best with flavorful tomatoes in season - If you grow them or have access to a farmer’s market, that’s the way to go! I used heirlooms, but common varieties are great too. Pair with sourdough bread or another grain for a light meatless meal. You could also add prosciutto or chicken to the salad for extra protein.

Serves 4

INGREDIENTS

1 medium eggplant, sliced in rounds about ¼-inch thick
Cooking spray or oil
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
6 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced thin
2 medium (7 to 8 ounces each) tomatoes (see note above), cut into wedges
Sea salt to taste
4 tsp extra virgin olive oil
4 tsp balsamic vinegar
Chopped fresh basil

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Prepare a charcoal or gas grill (medium-high for gas). Coat both sides of eggplant rounds with cooking spray (or brush with oil) and season with salt and pepper. Grill until very tender, 16 to 20 minutes, turning 3 to 4 times during cooking.

2. Arrange 3 eggplant slices (you may have some leftover) on each of four plates. Top evenly with mozzarella and tomatoes. Drizzle each plate with 1 tsp each extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Season tomatoes with sea salt. Garnish with basil and serve.

Tip: Want to make sure your fresh mozzarella is low lactose? Look at the “Sugars” line on the Nutrition Facts label. Lactose shows up as sugar in dairy products, so if it says “0 g” you know it’s low-FODMAP. This works for any cheese, as long as there are no added sugars in the ingredient list (honey, for example), which there shouldn’t be unless it’s a flavored cheese product.

>>> Need to make food shopping on the FODMAP Diet a little easier? I created a free shopping list of everyday food you can find at most supermarkets (plus links to some of my favorite low-FODMAP recipes!). Click to grab it!