Embark on a culinary journey to the heart of Mediterranean cuisine with our delectable Date-Stuffed Baby Eggplants! These tender and flavorful eggplants are carefully hollowed out, revealing a cavity waiting to be filled with a captivating blend of savory and sweet ingredients. A mixture of minced lamb, fragrantly spiced with cumin, cinnamon, and a hint of nutmeg, forms the base of this enticing stuffing. Succulent dates, plump and juicy, add a touch of natural sweetness, while toasted pine nuts lend a nutty crunch. The stuffed eggplants are then gently simmered in a rich tomato sauce, infusing them with vibrant flavors and aromas. As the sauce thickens and reduces, it coats the eggplants in a luscious glaze, creating a harmonious union of textures and tastes. Indulge in this delightful dish as a main course, accompanied by fluffy rice or warm pita bread to soak up the delectable sauce. Vegetarian enthusiasts can rejoice, as we also present a meatless variation, where lentils replace lamb, offering a hearty and protein-packed alternative. Additionally, for those seeking a vegan delight, discover our unique recipe featuring a flavorful filling of quinoa, sun-dried tomatoes, and aromatic herbs. Each variation promises a culinary adventure that celebrates the diverse flavors and textures of this Mediterranean masterpiece.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
DATE-STUFFED BABY EGGPLANTS
Eggplant does double duty in this hearty dish -- baby eggplants are stuffed with a sweet-and-savory lamb filling, and Italian eggplant is paired with roasted red peppers for a bright, smoky relish.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Meat & Poultry Lamb Recipes
Number Of Ingredients 31
Steps:
- Make the bell pepper and eggplant relish: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Brush eggplant all over with 2 tablespoons oil and season with a pinch of salt. Place cut-sides down on one half of a rimmed baking sheet. Place garlic cloves and onion in the center of a 12-inch piece of parchment-lined foil. Drizzle with remaining 2 tablespoons oil and season with salt and black pepper. Toss to combine. Wrap to enclose and place on the other side of the baking sheet. Bake until eggplant is very tender, about 20 minutes. Set aside to cool. Add cooled eggplant and roasted garlic and onion mixture, along with 2 teaspoons salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and remaining ingredients, to a food processor; process until smooth.
- Make the stuffed eggplants: Preheat oven to 350 degrees. In a large bowl, toss eggplants with 1/4 cup oil, then transfer to a rimmed baking sheet. Bake, tossing every 5 minutes, until very tender, 20 to 25 minutes. Set aside to cool.
- Heat remaining 1 tablespoon oil in a small skillet over medium. Add scallions and garlic and cook until softened. Set aside to cool.
- Meanwhile, place rice in a bowl and add enough water to cover. Swirl water to rinse rice and drain. Repeat process 3 to 4 more times until water is clear. Cover rice with clean water and soak for 30 minutes, then drain.
- In a medium bowl, combine cooled scallion and garlic mixture, freekeh, date paste, tomato paste, spices, parsley, and mint. Season with 3/4 teaspoon salt and a pinch of black pepper. Stir in lamb.
- Once eggplants are cool enough to handle, use a paring knife to cut a slit in each eggplant from top to bottom, taking care not to cut all the way through. Carefully open each eggplant and fill with about 1 tablespoon lamb mixture.
- Place stuffed eggplants in a baking dish large enough to hold eggplants in a single layer and bake until filling is thoroughly cooked, 15 to 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, combine drained rice, 2 cups water, and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a large saucepan. Bring to a boil and cook until rice is just tender, about 5 minutes. Drain rice in a colander.
- Whisk together tahini and lemon juice until smooth in a small bowl. Thin with 1 to 2 tablespoons water, if necessary, and season with salt.
- Transfer rice to a serving platter and top with eggplants. Serve with tahini sauce and bell pepper and eggplant relish.
STUFFED BABY EGGPLANTS
Provided by Michael Symon : Food Network
Categories appetizer
Time 10h
Yield 10 to 12 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- In a 4-quart saucepan over medium heat, add oil. Add the onions, garlic, and salt. Sweat for 3 minutes or until vegetables are translucent and aromatic. Add the remaining ingredients and bring to a simmer. Simmer for 8 hours over low heat, stirring occasionally. Check seasoning.
- Cut eggplants in half, scoop out seeds, and sprinkle with salt, cut side up. Place the eggplant halves on a baking sheet and let sit for 1 hour. Place 1 1/2 ounces of sausage in each eggplant half. Place in the oven and bake for 15 minutes. Top each eggplant with some tomato sauce and fresh mozzarella. Place back into oven for 10 minutes or until the cheese melts.
STUFFED BABY EGGPLANT RECIPE
Stuffed Baby Eggplant with a vegetarian breadcrumb filling can be enjoyed as a side dish, main dish or they are small enough to be served as an antipasto dish.
Provided by Nadia Fazio
Categories antipasto Main Course Side Dish
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F and grease a baking sheet.
- Begin by cutting the eggplant in half, lengthwise, and hollowing them. I use a knife to score the flesh of the eggplant and then a spoon to scoop out the flesh. Set aside the flesh in a bowl.
- Drizzle olive oil over the hollowed baby eggplant, salt lightly and bake in a 350 degrees F preheated oven for 15 minutes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 179 kcal, Carbohydrate 19 g, Protein 8 g, Fat 9 g, SaturatedFat 3 g, Cholesterol 36 mg, Sodium 219 mg, Fiber 5 g, Sugar 6 g, ServingSize 1 serving
MOM'S STUFFED EGGPLANT
Provided by Michael Chiarello : Food Network
Categories side-dish
Time 1h15m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
- Cut the eggplant in half and scoop out the center, leaving enough meat inside the skin so that it holds its shape when baked. Boil the scooped-out center part until very soft, about 10 to 12 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a medium saute pan heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Season the beef with salt and pepper. Add the seasoned ground beef to the pan and saute until all of its liquid is evaporated and the beef begins to brown slightly. Drain the beef, removing the extra, unnecessary fat. Let cool briefly and chop the cooked beef so that there are no large chunks of meat. In another medium saute pan over medium heat add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and saute the onions, peppers and garlic together.
- In a bowl mix together the cooked eggplant, vegetables, cooked beef, herbs, 1 cup of the cheese, bread crumbs, and the egg.
- Fill the scooped-out eggplant halves with this mixture, dividing it evenly among the 2 halves.
- Top with chopped tomatoes and the remaining 1/4 cup of grated cheese, season with salt and pepper, place on an oiled oven tray or baking dish, and bake for 50 minutes in preheated oven. Let cool briefly, slice widthwise and serve.
STUFFED BABY EGGPLANT
Provided by Tyler Florence
Categories main-dish
Time 1h20m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
- Using a paring knife, cut a wedge out of each eggplant, from stem to base, just large enough to stick a spoon inside and scoop out the flesh inside. Discard the flesh you scoop out.
- Coat a large saute pan with the oil and place over medium flame. Lightly fry the eggplants on all sides, until slightly charred and blistered; remove to a platter and set aside.
- Return the pan to the heat and add the shallots and garlic, saute for 5 minutes, until soft and golden brown. Add the ground lamb to the pan and brown the meat well, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Stir in the tomatoes, combine well, and let simmer for 5 minutes; season with salt and pepper. Toss in a couple of handfuls of the parsley, the mint, and lemon juice; continue to cook for 2 to 3 minutes. Remove the pan from the heat and let the stuffing cool slightly. Using a spoon, stuff the lamb filling into the eggplants until they feel full, but not overly packed.
- Arrange the eggplants in a single layer in a large saucepan, pour the chicken stock over them and lay the lemon slices on top of each eggplant, drizzle with some more olive oil. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, or until fork tender. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.
STUFFED EGGPLANT
So delicious! Great as a main course but you can buy the mini eggplant and use them as a side dish or appetizer! A must try!
Provided by Elaina
Categories World Cuisine Recipes European Italian
Time 1h
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Scoop out the flesh of the eggplant, chop, and reserve. Season shells with salt and pepper, and coat with some olive oil; set aside.
- Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a large, deep skillet over medium high heat. Saute sausage and garlic until sausage is evenly brown. Stir in the reserved chopped eggplant. Season with parsley, salt and pepper. Pour in wine, and cook 5 minutes. Mix in the bread crumbs and 1/4 cup Parmesan cheese. If mixture is dry, stir in more olive oil. Stuff mixture into eggplant shells, and sprinkle top with remaining Parmesan cheese.
- Bake in preheated oven for 30 to 40 minutes, or until eggplant is tender.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 976.5 calories, Carbohydrate 51.6 g, Cholesterol 97.9 mg, Fat 69.7 g, Fiber 7.7 g, Protein 31 g, SaturatedFat 19.6 g, Sodium 2082.4 mg, Sugar 7.1 g
STUFFED EGGPLANT
Don't discount the eggplant! This underrated veggie turns downright succulent when cooked correctly and stuffed with ground beef and veggies-it's a hearty, comforting and a delight to the taste buds. Herbs and pecorino Romano cheese add extra flavor and the toasted breadcrumbs add a satisfying crunch!
Provided by By Betty Crocker Kitchens
Categories Entree
Time 1h20m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Heat oven to 350°F.
- Cut the eggplant in half and scoop out the center, leaving enough meat inside the skin so that it holds its shape when baked. Chop eggplant that has been scooped out of the inside; place in saucepan, cover with water and boil until very soft, 10 to 12 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a medium sauté pan, heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil over medium heat. Salt and pepper the beef. Add the seasoned ground beef to the pan, and sauté until all of its liquid is evaporated and the beef begins to brown slightly. Let cool briefly, and chop the cooked beef so that there are no large chunks of meat. In another medium sauté pan over medium heat, add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil, and sauté the onion, pepper and garlic together in the oil.
- In a bowl, mix together the cooked eggplant, vegetables, beef, herbs, 1 cup of the cheese, 1/4 cup of the bread crumbs and the egg. Fill the scooped-out eggplant halves with this mixture, dividing it evenly between the two halves.
- Top with chopped tomatoes, the remaining 1/4 cup cheese, remaining 1/4 cup bread crumbs, and season with salt and pepper. Place on an oiled oven tray or baking dish, and bake for 50 minutes. Let cool briefly; slice widthwise and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 500, Carbohydrate 32 g, Cholesterol 115 mg, Fat 3 1/2, Fiber 9 g, Protein 28 g, SaturatedFat 10 g, ServingSize 1 Serving, Sodium 850 mg, Sugar 10 g, TransFat 1/2 g
STUFFED BABY EGGPLANT
This is a recipe my aunt passed on to me. She's been making these for as long as I can remember, and everyone loves them. You can use whatever bread is on hand. Recipe works well with white, wheat, or Italian bread crumbs. If you are in a hurry, you can skip the final step of baking in the oven, and cook the eggplants on top of the stove. This dish is also great topped with tomato sauce and sliced mozzarella cheese just before placing in the oven. Just be sure to cover the pan with aluminum foil before baking, venting with a few knife slits.
Provided by Maureenie
Categories Vegetable
Time 1h
Yield 8 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Prepare eggplants by slicing them in half lengthwise.
- Scoop out the inside of the eggplant and cut into cubes.
- Lay cubes on several paper towels and squeeze any moisture out of them by hand.
- Boil shells in a large stockpot for 2 minutes and allow to cool.
- Place a tablespoon of olive oil in a hot skillet. Add eggplant, onion, and garlic and saute.
- In a large mixing bowl, stir the saute mixture into the remaining ingredients and combine well. Add a second tablespoon of water if mixture is too dry. If mixture is too loose, add more bread crumbs.
- Fill the cooled eggplant shells with the mixture.
- Add a tablespoon of olive oil to a hot skillet. Place eggplants top side down in skillet and brown over medium heat.
- Place browned stuffed baby eggplants in a baking dish.
- Drizzle with remaining olive oil and bake for 30 minutes in a 350 degree oven.
Tips:
- To ensure the best results, select firm and small eggplants. Look for ones that are deep purple in color and heavy for their size.
- To prevent the eggplants from becoming bitter, sprinkle them with salt and let them rest for 30 minutes before cooking. Then, rinse them thoroughly and pat them dry.
- Use a sharp knife to make a slit in the eggplants. Be careful not to cut all the way through.
- Stuff the eggplants with the date mixture. You can use a spoon or your fingers to do this.
- To prevent the eggplants from drying out, brush them with olive oil before baking. You can also add a little water to the baking dish.
- Bake the eggplants until they are tender and slightly browned. This usually takes about 25-30 minutes.
- Serve the eggplants hot or warm. They can be enjoyed as a main course or a side dish.
Conclusion:
Date-stuffed baby eggplants are a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for any occasion. The combination of sweet dates, savory eggplant, and tangy tomatoes creates a flavor profile that is sure to please everyone. This dish is also a great way to get your daily dose of fruits and vegetables. So next time you're looking for a healthy and delicious meal, give date-stuffed baby eggplants a try!
Are you curently on diet or you just want to control your food's nutritions, ingredients? We will help you find recipes by cooking method, nutrition, ingredients...
Check it out »
You'll also love