Eggplant, when prepared right, can be an absolute delight. But let’s be honest, the typical fried eggplant can get a bit boring. That’s why I’m excited to share with you a recipe that takes eggplant to a whole new level of deliciousness, without any frying involved! Get ready to embark on a culinary journey with me as we create the most mouthwatering eggplant dish you’ve ever tasted!
YOU’LL NEED THE FOLLOWING INGREDIENTS :
- 2 eggplants
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
- Sweet paprika
- Oregano
- 1 onion (chopped)
- 2 bell peppers (chopped)
- 2 cloves of garlic
- 0.7 lb of minced meat
- Cumin
- Ginger
- Coriander
- Parsley (chopped)
- 8.8 oz of tomato puree
- 2/3 cup of water
- 5.3 oz of mozzarella
- Parmesan
HOW TO MAKE Without Frying! Eggplant
Step 1: Preparing the Eggplant
First things first, let’s prepare our eggplant. Wash them thoroughly and then slice them thinly, about 0.4 inches thick lengthwise. Set the slices aside for now.
Step 2: Seasoning the Eggplant
In a bowl, add 2 tablespoons of olive oil. Season it with salt, garlic powder, pepper, sweet paprika, and oregano. Mix these ingredients until they are well combined.
Step 3: Baking the Eggplant
Place the eggplant slices on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Now, brush the olive oil mixture generously on both sides of the eggplant slices. Once done, pop them into the oven and bake at 356°F for approximately 20 minutes until they are tender and slightly golden brown.
Step 4: Cooking the Meat Filling
While our eggplant is baking, let’s prepare the delicious meat filling. Heat some olive oil in a pan and add the chopped onion. Cook until it’s slightly translucent, then toss in the chopped bell peppers. Season them with salt and black pepper, and mix well.
Next, press the garlic cloves into the pan and add the minced meat. Break down the meat using a spatula and then season it with sweet paprika, ginger powder, cumin, and coriander. Keep mixing until all the ingredients are well incorporated and the meat is cooked through, which should take about 6 to 7 minutes.
Step 5: Assembling the Dish
Once the meat is cooked, add the chopped parsley and tomato puree to the pan. Give it a good stir, and then add the water. Let the mixture simmer for another 10 to 15 minutes until it thickens slightly.
Step 6: Baking the Dish
Now comes the fun part – assembling our dish! Take each baked eggplant slice and fill it with the delicious meat mixture. Top it off with a generous amount of shredded mozzarella and parmesan cheese. Repeat this process to create two more layers, and for the final touch, sprinkle some dried oregano on top.
Finally, place the assembled dish back into the oven and bake at 356°F for about 15 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and bubbly.
Conclusion
And there you have it – a mouthwatering eggplant dish that’s sure to impress everyone at the dinner table! With its flavorful layers of seasoned eggplant, savory meat filling, and gooey melted cheese, this dish is guaranteed to be a hit. So why wait? Give this recipe a try and treat yourself to a taste sensation like no other!