Lasanha de Berinjela

Lasanha de Berinjela is a delightful Brazilian twist on traditional lasagna, replacing pasta with layers of tender, grilled eggplant. This high-protein dish is packed with flavor and makes for a satisfying and healthy meal.

Ingredients

• Eggplant - 2 medium-sized
• Ricotta cheese - 200 grams
• Mozzarella cheese - 150 grams, shredded
• Parmesan cheese - 50 grams, grated
• Ground turkey - 200 grams
• Tomato sauce - 400 grams
• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
• Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
• Onion - 1 small, chopped
• Fresh basil - 10 grams, chopped
• Salt - 1 teaspoon
• Black pepper - 1/2 teaspoon
• Egg - 1 large

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Slice the eggplants lengthwise into 1 cm thick slices. Sprinkle with salt and let them sit for 20 minutes to draw out moisture.
3. Heat olive oil in a pan over medium heat. Sauté the onion and garlic until translucent.
4. Add the ground turkey to the pan, cooking until browned. Season with salt, black pepper, and half of the fresh basil. Stir in the tomato sauce and let it simmer for 5 minutes.
5. Rinse and pat dry the eggplant slices. Grill or pan-fry them for about 3 minutes on each side until tender.
6. In a bowl, mix the ricotta cheese, egg, and the remaining basil. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
7. In a baking dish, start layering: a layer of tomato sauce mixture, a layer of eggplant, a layer of ricotta mixture, followed by a layer of mozzarella cheese. Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with mozzarella and parmesan on top.
8. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 30 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
9. Let it cool for a few minutes before serving.

Nutrition

• Calories: 450
• Protein: 35 g
• Carbs: 20 g
• Fiber: 7 g
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 800 mg
• Cholesterol: 90 mg
• Total Fat: 25 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Water: 0.5 L

Health Benefits

• High in protein from turkey and cheeses, which supports muscle repair and growth.
• Rich in dietary fiber from eggplant, promoting digestive health.

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