Keto Eggplant Casserole

This Keto Eggplant Casserole is a delicious blend of tender eggplant, savory ground meat, and aromatic Lebanese spices, all baked to perfection. It's a low-carb, hearty dish that brings the flavors of the Mediterranean right to your table.

Ingredients

• Eggplant - 1 medium (about 300g)
• Ground beef or lamb - 200g
• Onion - 1 small, finely chopped (about 70g)
• Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
• Tomato paste - 2 tablespoons (30g)
• Cumin - 1 teaspoon
• Paprika - 1 teaspoon
• Cinnamon - 1/4 teaspoon
• Salt - to taste
• Black pepper - to taste
• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons (30ml)
• Cheese (mozzarella or feta) - 100g, grated or crumbled
• Fresh parsley - for garnish

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Slice the eggplant into 1 cm thick rounds, sprinkle with salt, and let sit for 15 minutes to draw out moisture.
3. Rinse the eggplant slices under cold water and pat dry with paper towels.
4. In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, and sauté until the onion is translucent.
5. Add the ground beef or lamb to the skillet and cook until browned. Stir in the tomato paste, cumin, paprika, cinnamon, salt, and pepper. Cook for another 5 minutes, then remove from heat.
6. In a baking dish, layer half of the eggplant slices on the bottom. Spread half of the meat mixture over the eggplant, then sprinkle half of the cheese on top.
7. Repeat the layering with the remaining eggplant, meat mixture, and cheese.
8. Drizzle the top with the remaining tablespoon of olive oil.
9. Cover the baking dish with aluminum foil and bake for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes, or until the cheese is golden and bubbly.
10. Let the casserole cool for a few minutes, garnish with fresh parsley, and serve.

Nutrition

• Calories: 450
• Protein: 30 g
• Carbs: 12 g
• Fiber: 5 g
• Sugar: 4 g
• Sodium: 500 mg
• Cholesterol: 80 mg
• Total Fat: 30 g
• Saturated Fat: 10 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 20 g
• Water: 0.3 L

Health Benefits

• Low in carbohydrates, making it suitable for a ketogenic diet.
• Rich in antioxidants from eggplant, promoting heart health.

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