Stuffed eggplant is a classic Lebanese dish that’s both delicious and comforting. This recipe fills tender eggplant shells with a savory mixture of spiced ground beef and fluffy rice simmered in a rich, garlicky tomato broth.
- Stuffed eggplant is a flavorful and hearty Lebanese recipe
- It’s made by filling eggplants with a spiced beef and rice mixture
- The stuffed eggplants are then cooked in a garlicky tomato broth
- This creates a rich, savory flavor using simple ingredients
Have you ever tried stuffing vegetables like eggplant? It’s a fun way to enjoy a cozy, family-style meal. Want to learn how?
Preparing the Stuffing
To start, you’ll need:
- Small eggplants
- Ground beef
- Onions
- Short grain rice
- Tomatoes, garlic, and tomato paste (for the sauce)
- Spices like seven spices, salt, and pepper
Making the Beef Mixture
First, cook the ground beef with some chopped onions. This adds extra flavor instead of using raw meatโseason with salt, pepper, and seven spices.
Next, stir in the uncooked short-grain rice. Season the rice with a teaspoon of salt.
Hollowing the Eggplants
Photo Credit – Pexels
While the beef and rice mix cools, prepare the eggplants:
- Cut off the stem end
- Use an apple corer or small knife to remove the flesh inside, leaving a hollow shell
- Be sure to save the scooped-out eggplant flesh for other recipes
Once hollowed out, stuff each eggplant shell with the beef and rice mixture. Don’t overstuff – the rice will expand while cooking.
Cooking in Tomato Broth
In a large pot, make the garlicky tomato broth:
- Combine chopped tomatoes, tomato paste, crushed garlic, salt and pepper
- Let this mixture simmer for a few minutes until fragrant
- Then add 6 cups of water or broth and stir until the tomato paste dissolves
Carefully place the stuffed eggplants in the tomato broth, weighing them down with a plate to keep them submerged.
Cover and simmer for 45 minutes on low heat. This allows the rice to cook through and the eggplant to become tender.
Serving the Stuffed Eggplants
The eggplants will look shriveled, but the insides will be perfectly cooked. Serve the stuffed eggplants drizzled with the flavorful tomato cooking broth.
You can garnish with fresh parsley, too. The combination of seasoned beef, fluffy rice, soft eggplant, and rich sauce is absolutely delicious!
If you enjoy stuffed vegetable dishes, try this Lebanese stuffed eggplant recipe for a tasty change of pace. Have you done anything similar before?
Photo Credit – Pexels
