Baked Eggplant

Baked Eggplant is a flavorful Moroccan-inspired dish, rich in spices and high in protein, making it a nutritious option for lunch. The tender eggplant is complemented by a savory filling, bringing vibrant tastes to your table.

Ingredients

• Eggplant - 1 medium (about 300g)
• Ground turkey - 200g
• Chickpeas - 100g, canned and drained
• Red bell pepper - 1, diced
• Onion - 1 small, finely chopped
• Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
• Cumin - 1 tsp
• Cinnamon - 1/2 tsp
• Paprika - 1 tsp
• Olive oil - 2 tbsp
• Salt - 1/2 tsp
• Black pepper - 1/4 tsp
• Fresh parsley - 2 tbsp, chopped
• Feta cheese - 50g, crumbled

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F).
2. Slice the eggplant in half lengthwise and scoop out a small portion of the flesh to create a boat, reserving the scooped flesh.
3. Brush the eggplant halves with 1 tablespoon of olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Place them cut-side down on a baking sheet and roast in the preheated oven for about 20 minutes.
4. In a skillet, heat the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add chopped onion and garlic, sautéing until softened.
5. Add the ground turkey to the skillet, cooking until browned. Stir in the diced red bell pepper, reserved eggplant flesh, cumin, cinnamon, paprika, salt, and black pepper.
6. Mix in the chickpeas and cook for an additional 5 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
7. Remove the eggplant halves from the oven and carefully turn them cut-side up.
8. Spoon the turkey and chickpea mixture into each eggplant half, pressing down gently to pack the filling.
9. Top each filled eggplant half with crumbled feta cheese.
10. Return to the oven and bake for an additional 15 minutes, until the eggplant is tender and the cheese is slightly golden.
11. Garnish with fresh parsley before serving.

Nutrition

• Calories: 380
• Protein: 30 g
• Carbs: 30 g
• Fiber: 8 g
• Sugar: 5 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Cholesterol: 70 mg
• Total Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 4 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
• Water: 0.5 L

Health Benefits

• High in protein from ground turkey and chickpeas, promoting muscle health.
• Rich in dietary fiber from eggplant and chickpeas, aiding digestion.

Tags