Are you looking for a hearty and flavorful dish that will impress your family and friends? Look no further than stuffed eggplant with meat and rice. This classic dish is made with tender eggplant, savory minced meat, fluffy rice, and a variety of aromatic herbs and spices. The result is a delicious and satisfying meal that is perfect for any occasion.
This recipe provides step-by-step instructions on how to make stuffed eggplant with meat and rice, ensuring that even beginner cooks can achieve perfect results. We'll also explore variations on the classic recipe, such as using different types of meat, vegetables, and sauces. Whether you're a seasoned cook or just starting out, you'll find everything you need to make this delicious dish in this comprehensive guide.
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
YUMMY STUFFED EGGPLANT WITH MEAT AND RICE
Make and share this Yummy Stuffed Eggplant with Meat and Rice recipe from Food.com.
Provided by Mirj2338
Categories Vegetable
Time 2h
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Cut the stem ends from the eggplants.
- Halve the eggplants lengthwise.
- Peel if desired; if the eggplant is fresh, there is no need to peel it.
- Use a spoon to scoop out the centers, leaving boat-shaped shells.
- Keep the flesh you scooped out to add to the stuffing.
- Sprinkle the shells with salt.
- Put them in a colander upside down and leave to drain for 1/2 hour.
- Preheat oven to 425 degrees C.
- Prepare the stuffing: Add the rice to 3 cups boiling salted water and boil for 10 minutes until not quite tender.
- Rinse under cold running water and drain well.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a frying pan, add the onion and cook over low heat until soft but not brown.
- Leave to cool.
- Mix with the beef, parsley, cumin, turmeric and almonds.
- Chop the flesh removed from the eggplant.
- Heat 2 tablespoons oil, add the chopped eggplant and sprinkle with salt.
- Saute over medium-low heat, stirring often, until tender, about 10 minutes.
- Leave to cool and mix with the stuffing.
- Taste for seasoning; if you prefer not to taste a mixture that contains raw beef, broil or microwave a teaspoon of the mixture and taste it for seasoning.
- Rinse the eggplant shells, pat them dry and put them in a baking dish.
- Fill them with the stuffing.
- Mix the tomato paste with 1/4 cup water and spoon the mixture over the eggplant.
- Add enough water to the dish to cover the eggplant by one third.
- Add the garlic to the dish.
- Spoon 1 tablespoon oil over the eggplant.
- Cover and bake 15 minutes.
- Reduce the heat to 350 F and continue baking, covered, 15 more minutes.
- Uncover and bake, basting occasionally, 30 minutes or until the eggplant is very tender.
STUFFED EGGPLANT
This authentic Stuffed Eggplant recipe is a my family's popular Lebanese dish made with a spiced beef & rice stuffing and cooked in a garlicky tomato broth!
Provided by Yumna Jawad
Categories Entree Main Course
Time 2h
Number Of Ingredients 16
Steps:
- Cut off the stalks of the eggplant. Using a knife, apple corer or veggie drill, carefully hallow out the eggplant and remove the flesh without puncturing the outside of the eggplant. You can reserve the flesh for another recipe.
- Heat the olive oil in a large deep pot on medium heat large. Add the onions and ground beef and season with 7 Spice, 1 teaspoon salt and pepper. Cook until the beef is browned, about 7-10 minutes. Add the uncooked rice, the remaining salt and stir to combine the ingredients. Transfer the rice mixture to a bowl.
- To make the tomato broth, heat the olive oil in the pot used to cook the beef over medium. Add the tomato paste, chopped tomatoes and pressed garlic and season with salt and pepper. Cook until the mixture becomes fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the water and bring mixture to a boil. Lower heat to a simmer, while stuffing the eggplant.
- Using a small spoon or your hands, fill the hallowed out inside of each eggplant with the rice stuffing. Be sure to leave about ¼ inch of empty space at the top since the rice will expand when cooked. Then stuff a tomato chunk on top to seal the eggplant and prevent the stuffing from coming out when cooked. Repeat with the remaining eggplant. If you have any leftover stuffing, you can cook it with water.
- Transfer the stuffed eggplant to the deep pot and bring mixture to a boil, then simmer over low heat for 45 minutes, allowing the sauce to reduce and the rice to fully cook.
- Serve the stuffed eggplant warm with the sauce on top.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 617 kcal, Carbohydrate 76 g, Protein 27 g, Fat 25 g, SaturatedFat 7 g, Cholesterol 54 mg, Sodium 1528 mg, Fiber 16 g, Sugar 22 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 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
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.
EGGPLANTS STUFFED WITH MEAT AND RICE
Steps:
- Cut off the stem ends of the eggplants and reserve. Soften the pulp by rolling them on the table and pressing them with the palm of your hand. Hollow them, using an apple corer or a special tool for hollowing vegetables (you find them in Arab markets). Insert the corer through the cut end and push it as far as possible, making sure that you don't break through the other end, and twisting it to loosen the pulp and pull it out. Repeat to make a reasonably large hole. (Use up the discarded flesh for another dish.)
- Prepare the filling in a bowl, using raw rice.
- Stuff the eggplant shells three-quarters full with the filling, to allow room for the rice to expand. Close them with the reserved "corks."
- Put the oil in a large saucepan. Place the eggplants in it, packed close and in layers. Add enough water, mixed with salt, pepper, and lemon juice, barely to cover them. Cover with a lid, and cook over gentle heat for 40 minutes, or until the eggplants and the filling are tender. Remove the lid at the end so that the water, if any is left, evaporates.
- Serve hot.
Tips:
- To ensure the eggplants are cooked evenly, choose eggplants that are similar in size.
- To prevent the eggplants from absorbing too much oil, make sure they are patted dry before frying.
- To get a crispy texture, fry the eggplants in hot oil.
- If you don't have a meat grinder, you can chop the meat into small pieces.
- To add more flavor to the dish, use a variety of herbs and spices in the meat mixture.
- If you don't have time to make the tomato sauce, you can use store-bought tomato sauce.
- To make the dish more colorful, garnish it with fresh herbs.
Conclusion:
Stuffed eggplants with meat and rice is a delicious and satisfying dish that can be enjoyed by people of all ages. It is a great way to use up leftover rice and meat, and it is also a good option for a vegetarian meal. The eggplants are soft and tender, and the meat and rice filling is flavorful and hearty. The dish is also very versatile, and it can be served with a variety of sides.
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 »
#weeknight #time-to-make #course #main-ingredient #cuisine #preparation #occasion #appetizers #main-dish #beef #vegetables #asian #middle-eastern #oven #potluck #dinner-party #heirloom-historical #holiday-event #kosher #stove-top #dietary #hanukkah #low-sodium #gluten-free #low-cholesterol #low-calorie #low-carb #rosh-hashana #ground-beef #free-of-something #low-in-something #meat #to-go #equipment #4-hours-or-less
You'll also love