Middle Eastern Stuffed Eggplant

Middle Eastern Stuffed Eggplant Recipe with Lamb and Rice

Region / culture: Arabia | Preparation time: 30 minutes | Cooking time: 25 minutes | Servings: 2

Introduction

Middle Eastern Stuffed Eggplant is a delicious and hearty dish that combines the flavors of ground lamb, vegetables, and spices all stuffed inside a tender eggplant shell. This recipe is perfect for a special dinner or a family meal.

History

Stuffed eggplant dishes have been enjoyed in Middle Eastern cuisine for centuries. The combination of lamb, rice, and vegetables stuffed inside eggplant is a classic and beloved dish in many Middle Eastern countries.

Ingredients

1 medium eggplant
8 oz (227 g) ground lamb
0.33 cup chopped onion
0.33 cup chopped celery
0.33 cup chopped green pepper
0.67 cup cooked rice
1 small tomato, chopped
1 tsp salt, optional
0.25 tsp basil leaves, crushed
0.25 tsp thyme leaves, crushed
0.13 tsp ground black pepper
0.25 cup (1 oz (28 g)) grated monterey jack cheese

How to prepare

Split the eggplant lengthwise or cut off the cap of the eggplant and cut in half lengthwise. Scoop out the pulp, leaving a 0.25 inch shell.
Chop the pulp and cover it with water. Cook for about 5 minutes. Drain and set aside.
Cook the lamb in a medium skillet until the meat is no longer pink, stirring to crumble.
Add the onion, celery, and green pepper. Cook until tender-crisp.
Pour off any excess fat.
Stir in the rice, tomato, salt, basil, thyme, black pepper, and eggplant pulp into the vegetables.
Fill the eggplant shells. Spoon any extra rice mixture into a small baking dish.
Place the eggplant halves in a shallow baking dish. Bake at 350°F/180°C for 20 minutes.
Sprinkle with cheese and bake for an additional 5 minutes.

Variations

For a vegetarian version, substitute the ground lamb with cooked lentils or chickpeas.
Add pine nuts or raisins to the stuffing mixture for extra flavor and texture.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Be sure to scoop out the eggplant pulp carefully to create a sturdy shell for the stuffing.

- Cooking the lamb until it is no longer pink ensures that it is fully cooked and flavorful.

- Adding a variety of spices like basil, thyme, and black pepper enhances the flavor of the dish.

Serving Suggestions

Serve Middle Eastern Stuffed Eggplant with a side of Greek yogurt or a fresh salad for a complete meal.

Cooking Techniques

Baking the stuffed eggplant in the oven ensures that the flavors meld together and the eggplant becomes tender.

Ingredient Substitutions

Feel free to customize this recipe by using ground beef or ground turkey instead of lamb. You can also add your favorite vegetables or spices to the stuffing mixture.

Make Ahead Tips

You can prepare the stuffed eggplant ahead of time and refrigerate it until ready to bake. This dish also reheats well, making it a great option for meal prep.

Presentation Ideas

Garnish the stuffed eggplant with fresh herbs like parsley or mint for a pop of color and flavor.

Pairing Recommendations

Middle Eastern Stuffed Eggplant pairs well with a side of couscous, tabbouleh, or roasted vegetables.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in the oven or microwave until heated through.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of Middle Eastern Stuffed Eggplant contains approximately 350 calories.

Carbohydrates

This recipe contains approximately 25 grams of carbohydrates per serving.

Fats

Each serving of Middle Eastern Stuffed Eggplant contains around 15 grams of fat.

Proteins

With ground lamb as the main protein source, this dish provides about 20 grams of protein per serving.

Vitamins and minerals

This recipe is rich in vitamins and minerals, including vitamin A, vitamin C, iron, and calcium.

Alergens

This recipe contains dairy (cheese) and meat (lamb) allergens.

Summary

Middle Eastern Stuffed Eggplant is a balanced dish that provides a good mix of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, and essential vitamins and minerals.

Summary

Middle Eastern Stuffed Eggplant is a flavorful and satisfying dish that is perfect for a special occasion or a cozy family dinner. With a mix of protein, vegetables, and spices, this recipe is sure to become a new favorite in your meal rotation. Enjoy!

How did I get this recipe?

The first time I saw this recipe, I was immediately captivated. It was a warm summer day and I was visiting a friend of mine who had recently returned from a trip to the Middle East. She had brought back with her a small cookbook filled with traditional recipes from the region, and as she flipped through the pages, my eyes landed on a picture of a beautifully stuffed eggplant. The vibrant colors and bold flavors jumped off the page, and I knew I had to learn how to make it.

My friend graciously agreed to teach me the recipe, and we spent the afternoon in her kitchen, chopping, sautéing, and stuffing eggplants until we had created a dish that was as delicious as it was beautiful. The combination of tender eggplant, fragrant spices, and hearty filling was unlike anything I had ever tasted before, and I knew that this recipe would become a staple in my own kitchen.

As I continued to make the dish for family and friends, I started to experiment with different variations and ingredients, adding my own personal touch to the traditional recipe. I found that by using a mix of ground lamb and beef, I could create a richer, more flavorful filling. I also discovered that a sprinkle of toasted pine nuts added a delightful crunch to the dish, while a drizzle of tangy yogurt sauce helped to balance out the spicy flavors.

Over the years, I have shared this recipe with countless people, each time passing on the knowledge and techniques that I learned from my friend all those years ago. I have taught my grandchildren how to make it, passing down the recipe from generation to generation. And each time I make it, I am reminded of that warm summer day in my friend's kitchen, where I first fell in love with Middle Eastern cuisine.

But the recipe for Middle Eastern Stuffed Eggplant is more than just a dish to me - it is a symbol of the connections we create through food. It represents the shared experiences and memories that we create when we come together in the kitchen, learning from one another and celebrating our cultural heritage. It is a reminder of the power of food to bring us closer, to bridge the gaps between us, and to create lasting bonds that transcend language and borders.

So the next time you find yourself in the kitchen, looking for a new recipe to try, I encourage you to give this one a shot. Let the flavors of the Middle East transport you to a world of bold spices, vibrant colors, and rich aromas. And as you take your first bite of that perfectly stuffed eggplant, remember the stories and memories that have been passed down through the generations, and savor the connection that food has the power to create. Bon appétit!