Are you looking for a delicious and nutritious meal that won’t cause your blood sugar to spike? Look no further than this mouthwatering eggplant recipe! Packed with wholesome ingredients and bursting with flavor, this dish is sure to become a favorite in your household. Let’s dive into the recipe and discover how to make this culinary treasure.
Ingredients:
For the Eggplants:
- 4 eggplants
- 4-5 tablespoons of olive oil
- Paprika to taste
- Salt and pepper to taste
For the Filling:
- 500 g of lean minced meat (approximately 1.1 pounds)
- 3 tomatoes
- 1 red pepper, diced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 200 ml of water (approximately 3/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon)
- A drizzle of olive oil
- 25 g of tomato paste (approximately 2 tablespoons)
- 4 cloves of garlic, minced
- Chilli flakes (optional)
- Spices to taste
- Salt and pepper to taste
For Garnishing:
- 150g of grated light cheese (approximately 1 1/2 cups)
- 2-3 sprigs of chopped parsley
Preparation:
- Preparing the Eggplants:
- Trim the eggplants and peel them on the sides. Cut them lengthways into four slices.
- In a small bowl, mix olive oil with paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Place the eggplant slices on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Brush them on both sides with the flavored oil mix.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C for 30 minutes.
- Preparing the Filling:
- Roughly cut the tomatoes and blend them to obtain a smooth puree.
- In a non-stick pan, heat a drizzle of olive oil. Add chopped onion and minced garlic. Sauté until golden.
- Add the minced meat and cook until browned.
- Stir in diced red pepper, followed by the blended tomatoes, tomato paste, chilli flakes (if using), salt, pepper, and spices. Add water and simmer for 5 minutes.
- Stuffing the Eggplants:
- Transfer half of the baked eggplant slices to a baking tray. Top each slice with a portion of the cooked minced meat mixture.
- Sprinkle grated cheese over the filling.
- Cover each filled eggplant slice with another slice of baked eggplant.
- Repeat the process with the remaining ingredients.
- Final Cooking:
- Bake the stuffed eggplants in the preheated oven for 15 minutes at 200°C.
- Garnishing:
- Once cooked, garnish the stuffed eggplants with chopped parsley before serving.
Conclusion:
With its combination of tender eggplant, flavorful minced meat filling, and cheesy topping, this recipe is a true delight for the taste buds. Plus, it’s a healthy option that won’t cause your blood sugar to spike. Serve it as a satisfying main dish for dinner or impress your guests at your next gathering. Either way, this eggplant recipe is bound to become a cherished favorite in your recipe collection!