Indulge in a delightful culinary journey with our flavorful Eggplants Stuffed with Lamb, Rice, and Currants. This tantalizing dish, originating from the vibrant region of Turkey, is a symphony of aromatic spices, tender meat, and fluffy rice, all enveloped in tender eggplant shells. Embark on a taste adventure as you discover the harmonious blend of savory lamb, fluffy rice, tangy currants, and a blend of aromatic herbs and spices. This recipe also includes variations to cater to diverse tastes, including a vegetarian option with a delectable lentil and vegetable filling. Prepare to tantalize your taste buds and embrace the rich culinary heritage of Turkey with these irresistible Eggplants Stuffed with Lamb, Rice, and Currants.
Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!
MAMA'S OH-SO-SAVORY LAMB AND EGGPLANT CASSEROLE
The basis of this recipe came from my 4th grade teacher's mother who was Armenian, and I've been making it for over 50 years. It is easy to put together, but the longer the stovetop step simmers, the better the casserole will be when served. Leftovers are yummy! You could serve this over rice, if you like, with a green salad. I just serve it in pasta bowls with crusty bread, butter, and a nice glass of red wine. Enjoy!
Provided by MAMA2EANDJ
Categories Meat and Poultry Recipes Lamb Ground
Time 2h35m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 18
Steps:
- Place eggplant in a colander set in a bowl or the sink; sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt and toss to coat. Let eggplant stand for at least 1 hour. Rinse off the bitter liquid and excess salt and drain well.
- Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in onion and celery; cook and stir until onion has softened and turned translucent and celery is fragrant, about 5 minutes.
- While vegetables are cooking, combine ground cumin, oregano, rosemary, paprika, mint, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl or mortar and pestle and mix well; this is the lamb seasoning (see Cook's Note). Set seasoning aside.
- Stir eggplant cubes and garlic into the vegetables in the skillet, mixing well, and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Add chopped tomatoes and sprinkle with half of the lamb seasoning mixture. Reserve remaining seasoning. Stir gently and cook for 5 minutes more.
- Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 2-quart casserole dish.
- Pour chicken broth and half the can of tomato sauce into the skillet and simmer for 10 minutes; add a little water if the sauce starts to get dry. Transfer the sauce to the prepared casserole dish.
- Return the skillet to the stove over medium-high heat and heat the reserved tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Place ground lamb into skillet and sprinkle with remaining seasoning mixture. Brown lamb in the hot oil, stirring frequently, until the meat is evenly browned; it should look like imperfect meatballs.
- Gently transfer the lamb to the casserole dish, pushing it down into the vegetable mixture so that it is at least partially submerged. Stir fresh lemon juice into the remaining tomato sauce and pour the sauce over the casserole.
- Bake uncovered for 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending upon how tender you like your vegetables.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 384.6 calories, Carbohydrate 22.6 g, Cholesterol 77.2 mg, Fat 23.2 g, Fiber 8.4 g, Protein 24 g, SaturatedFat 7.5 g, Sodium 1471.2 mg, Sugar 12.2 g
EGGPLANTS STUFFED WITH LAMB, RICE, AND CURRANTS
A small amount of ground lamb adds a lot of flavor to this dish, which is further enhanced by the meatiness of the eggplant.
Provided by Martha Stewart
Categories Food & Cooking Ingredients Meat & Poultry Lamb Recipes
Time 1h25m
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Heat 2 teaspoons oil in an ovenproof pot over medium heat. Cook onion, stirring often, until soft and lightly caramelized, 10 to 12 minutes. Add lamb, breaking it up with a wooden spoon. Season with 1 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper. Cook until lamb is cooked through and no longer pink, 3 to 4 minutes. Add stock, rice, and currants. Bring to a simmer. Cover, and transfer to oven on lowest rack. Cook for 1 hour and 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, slice eggplants in half lengthwise; brush each cut side with 1/4 teaspoon oil. Roast, cut sides up, on a rimmed baking sheet on top oven rack until centers are soft and tops are browned, about 40 minutes. Let cool.
- Gently scrape eggplant flesh into a large bowl, reserving skins. Stir in lamb-rice mixture, chopped herbs, and lemon zest. Divide stuffing among eggplant skins. Garnish with more herbs and lemon zest.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 376 g, Cholesterol 15 g, Fat 9 g, Fiber 11 g, Protein 12 g, Sodium 335 g
SPICED LAMB-STUFFED EGGPLANTS
Steps:
- Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
- Cut the eggplants in half lengthwise, including the stems. Using a sharp paring knife, scoop out some of the flesh, leaving a shell that is 1/3 inch thick and reserving the scooped-out eggplant. Place the eggplant shells snugly in a single layer in a large (10-by-14-inch) rectangular baking dish. Brush the eggplant all over with 1/4 cup olive oil (use it all!) and sprinkle with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 3/4 teaspoon pepper. Pour 1/4 cup water in the baking dish, cover tightly with aluminum foil, and bake for 30 minutes, until the shells are tender when pierced with a small knife. Remove from the oven, discard the foil, and leave the oven on.
- Meanwhile, for the lamb filling, in a large (12-inch) skillet, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and saute for 5 minutes, tossing occasionally, until tender. Cut the reserved scooped-out eggplant into 1/2-inch dice (you should have about 2 cups). Add the eggplant to the onion and cook for 5 minutes, adding more oil if it seems dry. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant. Add the ground lamb and cook, mashing lightly with a fork, for 5 to 7 minutes, until no longer pink. Add the oregano and cinnamon and cook for one minute. Add the wine, tomatoes, marinara, parsley, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, until the liquid evaporates. Spoon the filling into the eggplant halves in the baking dish. (You may have a little extra filling.)
- In a medium bowl, mash the ricotta, goat cheese, egg yolks, mint, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper with a fork. With a spoon, place large dollops of the ricotta mixture on the lamb filling and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until the filling is hot and the topping is lightly browned. Serve warm, sprinkled with extra mint.
STUFFED EGGPLANT WITH LAMB
Provided by Food Network
Categories main-dish
Time 1h30m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 10
Steps:
- Peel the eggplants lengthwise in 1/2-inch strips "zebra-style," leaving a 1/2-inch strip of skin between each peel. Trim off long stems so eggplant will fit in pan. Heat oil in a large, deep frying pan. In batches, fry eggplant until golden all over and beginning to soften, turning frequently. Transfer eggplant to a baking dish, placing them side by side, and cut a deep slit lengthwise in each eggplant. Set aside.
- Heat the butter in the skillet, add the onions and saute until soft, 5 to 7 minutes. Add the lamb and cook for 10 minutes. Add the tomatoes, bell peppers and salt, and saute until all the juices are absorbed, about 5 more minutes. Stir in the parsley, and lemon juice, adjust seasonings and remove from heat.
- Preheat oven to 350 degrees.
- Stuff the eggplants tightly with the ground lamb mixture, enlarging the opening with your hand. Add a little water to the baking dish, cover, and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, or until eggplants are very tender.
EGGPLANT STUFFED WITH RICE AND TOMATOES
Travel anywhere in the Mediterranean region, and you will find stuffed vegetables. In Provence, they tend to be filled with meat (a way to stretch leftover stews), but in the Middle East and Greece rice and grain fillings prevail. Regional cooks make abundant use of fresh herbs like parsley, dill and mint, and sweet spices like cinnamon and allspice. Fragrant stuffed vegetables can be made ahead of the meal and served hot or at room temperature. They don't require a lot of patience to assemble - they just need a long simmer and then a rest to let the flavors mingle and intensify. Eat them as a main dish or a side, and serve up leftovers for lunch. The filling for these irresistible stuffed eggplants is also good for peppers and squash. Substitute the chopped flesh of the summer squash for the eggplant, and just use the rice and tomatoes for peppers. Make these a day ahead for best results.
Provided by Martha Rose Shulman
Categories dinner, weekday, main course
Time 2h15m
Yield Serves six
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Cut the eggplants in half. With a grapefruit spoon or a small knife, remove the flesh to within 1/2 inch of the skins.
- Sprinkle the eggplant shells with salt, and let sit for 30 minutes while you prepare the remaining ingredients. Chop the flesh, and steam for 20 minutes, until tender.
- In a large bowl, combine a third of the tomatoes, the steamed eggplant, 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, all but 1 clove of the garlic, the rice, herbs and the juice of one of the lemons. Season with salt and pepper.
- Oil a large flameproof casserole or an earthenware casserole set over a flame tamer. Combine the remaining tomatoes, olive oil, allspice, cinnamon, lemon juice, sugar, tomato paste and remaining garlic in the casserole. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Fill the eggplant shells with the rice mixture, and arrange in the casserole in a single layer. Add water if necessary to cover about a third of the eggplant. Bring to a simmer over medium-high heat, cover tightly and reduce the heat to low. Simmer 45 minutes to an hour until the eggplant and rice are tender. Remove from the heat.
- Using two spatulas (the eggplants are soft at this point), transfer the eggplants to a platter. Bring the sauce to a boil. If it is not already thick, reduce until thick and fragrant. Pour over the eggplants, and allow to cool to warm or room temperature. They're good chilled as well. Garnish with chopped fresh parsley or cilantro if desired.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 210, UnsaturatedFat 6 grams, Carbohydrate 35 grams, Fat 8 grams, Fiber 9 grams, Protein 5 grams, SaturatedFat 1 gram, Sodium 882 milligrams, Sugar 12 grams
EGGPLANT STUFFED WITH ALMONDS, CURRANTS AND RICE
Make and share this Eggplant Stuffed with Almonds, Currants and Rice recipe from Food.com.
Provided by evelynathens
Categories One Dish Meal
Time 2h15m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- For sauce: Heat oil in large saucepan over low heat.
- Add garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until soft, about 30 seconds.
- Add curry powder and stir 30 seconds.
- Mix in tomatoes and season.
- Bring to boil, reduce heat to low and cook until tomatoes are very soft, stirring occasionally, about 30 minutes.
- Mix in tomato paste.
- Puree in processor until smooth.
- Adjust seasoning.
- (can be prepared 1 day ahead) For pilaf: Heat 4 tsps olive oil in medium skillet over low heat.
- Add onion and cook until soft, stirring frequently, about 10 minutes.
- Add rice and stir until milky white, about 2 minutes.
- Add water, currants and season to taste.
- Bring to boil, stir, and cover.
- Reduce heat to low and cook until tender, about 18-20 minutes.
- Remove from heat, do not open, and let stand for 10 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 450F.
- Lightly grease shallow baking dish large enough to hold 4 eggplant halves.
- Make 1/8 inch deep cut around edge of each eggplant.
- Score 3 times down center.
- Arrange eggplants cut side up in dish.
- Sprinkle surface with salt and 2 tblsps olive oil.
- Bake until eggplant is tender when pierced with knife, about 25-30 minutes.
- Cool slightly.
- Remove eggplant pulp from skins using spoon; do not pierce skin.
- Coarsely chop pulp and add to pilaf.
- Taste and adjust seasoning.
- (can be prepared 1 day ahead. Cover skins and pilaf and refrigerate. Bring to room temperature before continuing.).
- Heat 2 tblsps olive oil in small skillet over medium-low heat.
- Add almonds and pine nuts and a pinch of salt.
- Stir until nuts are toasted a light-brown, about 2 minutes.
- Stir into pilaf with cilantro and spearmint.
- Preheat oven to 350F.
- Oil baking dish.
- Place eggplants, cut side up onto dish.
- Spoon pilaf into shells.
- Sprinkle with remaining 1 tblsp oil.
- Bake until hot, about 15 minutes.
- Reheat sauce, stirring frequently.
- Divide sauce among 4 plates and top with eggplant.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 562.7, Fat 39, SaturatedFat 4.8, Sodium 39, Carbohydrate 50.7, Fiber 14.2, Sugar 16.4, Protein 9.9
TURKISH STUFFED EGGPLANT WITH SPICY LAMB AND RICE
Steps:
- Lamb and Rice Filling
- Heat the olive oil in a medium skillet over medium heat, then add the onion and pepper, stir, and cook for 3-5 minutes. Stir in the garlic and crumble in the ground meat. Raise the heat to medium-high and cook, stirring, for 5-6 minutes, until the meat has lost its pink color and the mixture is starting to dry out and brown a little in the pan. Tilt the pan and spoon out any excess fat from the lamb. Sprinkle in the seasonings, stir, then add the tomatoes and puree, then the stock. Stir and scrape the bottom of the pan to dissolve the brown bits that have accumulated. Add the rice and herbs, and stir and cook a couple of minutes, until warmed through. Taste and adjust seasoning to your liking. When the filling is well mixed, moist, and flavorful-but not wet-remove it from the heat and let it cool.
- Eggplant
- Preheat the oven to 400°F.
- Combine all the ingredients except the eggplants in a small bowl.
- Cut the stem end from each eggplant, then cut it in half lengthwise. Take a look at the flesh, and if it is creamy white and not too seedy, don't worry about salting it. However, if it is a little darker, with numerous seeds, there's a good chance the juices will be slightly bitter, so you'll want to extract them. To do this, sprinkle the cut sides with about a teaspoon of salt each and place them cut side down on a plate or tray lined with a double thickness of paper towels. Place another plate or tray on top and weight that with a couple of pounds (cans of beans work well). Set aside for 10-15 minutes, then remove the weight and brush the salt off the surface, or rinse with running water and pat dry. Cut a shallow crosshatch pattern in the cut surface of the eggplant and brush generously with the flavored oil. Place the eggplant halves cut sides up on a lightly oiled baking sheet and bake for about 20 minutes, rotating the pan once, until the eggplants are very soft when you squeeze the sides and the surface is golden brown. Cool completely.
- To Assemble
- With your fingers or a spoon, press the tender eggplant flesh to the sides, making a bed for the filling. Divide the filling among the halves. Sprinkle the bread crumb topping evenly over the filling and pat it lightly. Bake the filled eggplants for about 15 minutes, or until they're heated through and the crumbs are browned.
VEGETABLE-STUFFED EGGPLANT
A friend of mine who raised eggplant shared this recipe with me. This fast and delicious side will compliment most any entree. -Doris Heath, Franklin, North Carolina
Provided by Taste of Home
Categories Side Dishes
Time 50m
Yield 2 servings.
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Preheat oven to 350°. Cut eggplant in half lengthwise; remove pulp, leaving a 1/4-in. shell. Cube removed pulp; set shells aside. Cut corn off the cob., In a large nonstick skillet, saute eggplant pulp, corn, onion, tomato and garlic in oil until onion is tender. Stir in seasonings. Spoon mixture into reserved shells. Place in an ungreased 11x7-in. baking dish; pour water into dish. , Cover and bake 25-30 minutes or until heated through. Uncover; sprinkle with cheese. Bake 5 minutes or until cheese is melted. ,
Nutrition Facts : Calories 259 calories, Fat 16g fat (4g saturated fat), Cholesterol 13mg cholesterol, Sodium 728mg sodium, Carbohydrate 26g carbohydrate (11g sugars, Fiber 7g fiber), Protein 9g protein.
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
LEBANESE STYLE STUFFED EGGPLANT
Provided by Melissa Roberts
Categories Rice Sauté Dinner Ground Lamb Pine Nut Party Potluck Simmer Gourmet Dairy Free Wheat/Gluten-Free Peanut Free Soy Free No Sugar Added Kosher
Yield Makes 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Hollow out each eggplant with a melon-ball cutter, working from bottom end and leaving about 1/3 inch eggplant flesh along interior walls.
- Rinse rice in a sieve under cold water until water runs clear. Drain well.
- Heat oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Fry pine nuts, stirring frequently, until golden, about 3 minutes, then transfer with a slotted spoon to a bowl. Sauté onion and garlic, stirring occasionally, until golden, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer 1/2 cup onion mixture to bowl with pine nuts. Add stock, tomatoes, 3/4 teaspoon salt, and 1/4 teaspoon pepper to skillet and simmer, uncovered, while stuffing eggplant.
- Add rice, meat, allspice, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper to bowl with onion mixture and mix well with your hands.
- Stuff eggplant with meat mixture, being careful not to pack tightly (rice will expand during cooking). Transfer stuffed eggplants to skillet with tomato sauce and simmer, covered, carefully turning once, until rice is cooked through, 50 minutes to 1 hour (cut 1 in half to test).
- If sauce is watery, transfer eggplant to a plate and boil sauce, stirring occasionally, until thickened slightly, 3 to 5 minutes, then adjust seasoning if necessary. Return stuffed eggplant to sauce. Squeeze lemon over dish and sprinkle with parsley before serving.
Tips:
- Choose the right eggplant: Select firm, unblemished eggplants with a deep purple color. Avoid eggplants that are too large or have wrinkles or bruises.
- Properly salt the eggplants: Salting the eggplants before cooking helps to remove excess bitterness and moisture. Make sure to rinse the salt off thoroughly before stuffing and cooking.
- Cook the rice properly: The rice should be cooked until it is tender but still has a slight bite to it. Overcooked rice will become mushy and ruin the texture of the dish.
- Use a flavorful lamb: Ground lamb is the traditional meat used in this dish, but you can also use ground beef or pork. Choose a lamb that is well-seasoned and has a good amount of fat for flavor.
- Don't overstuff the eggplants: Overstuffing the eggplants can make them difficult to cook evenly and can also cause them to burst. Stuff the eggplants loosely so that there is some room for expansion.
- Bake the eggplants until they are tender: The eggplants should be baked until they are tender and slightly caramelized. This will take about 30-40 minutes.
Conclusion:
Eggplants stuffed with lamb, rice, and currants is a delicious and flavorful dish that is perfect for a special occasion. The combination of tender eggplant, savory lamb, and aromatic rice is sure to please everyone at the table. With a little bit of planning and effort, you can easily make this dish at home. So next time you're looking for a new and exciting recipe, give this one a try!
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