Stuffed Eggplant

Stuffed Eggplant is a traditional Lebanese dish featuring tender eggplant halves filled with a savory mixture of rice, vegetables, and spices. This flavorful and wholesome meal is perfect for a comforting dinner.

Ingredients

• 2 medium eggplants
• 100 grams of long-grain rice
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 100 grams of tomatoes, diced
• 50 grams of bell pepper, finely chopped
• 30 grams of pine nuts
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
• 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 300 ml vegetable broth
• 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F).
2. Cut the eggplants in half lengthwise and scoop out the flesh, leaving about 1 cm of the flesh intact to create a shell. Chop the scooped-out flesh and set it aside.
3. In a medium saucepan, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion and garlic, sauté until translucent.
4. Add the diced tomatoes, bell pepper, and the reserved eggplant flesh to the pan. Cook for about 5 minutes until softened.
5. Stir in the rice, pine nuts, cumin, coriander, salt, black pepper, and cinnamon. Pour in the vegetable broth and bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 15 minutes until the rice is cooked.
6. Remove from heat and stir in chopped parsley. Fill the eggplant halves with the rice mixture.
7. Place the stuffed eggplants in a baking dish and drizzle with the remaining olive oil. Cover with foil and bake for 30 minutes.
8. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the eggplants are tender and slightly golden.
9. Serve warm, garnished with additional parsley if desired.

Nutrition

• Calories: 350
• Protein: 10 g
• Carbs: 55 g
• Fiber: 10 g
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Total Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 12 g
• Water: 0.5 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in dietary fiber which aids in digestion.
• Contains antioxidants from eggplant and tomatoes that may help reduce inflammation.

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