Baked Eggplant Tajine

Baked Eggplant Tajine is a flavorful Moroccan dish that highlights tender eggplant layered with spices, chickpeas, and a medley of vegetables. This gluten-free delight is perfect for a cozy dinner, bringing the essence of North African cuisine to your table.

Ingredients

• Eggplant - 1 medium (approximately 300g)
• Olive oil - 2 tablespoons
• Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
• Onion - 1 small, finely chopped
• Red bell pepper - 1, diced
• Zucchini - 1 small, diced
• Canned chickpeas - 200g, drained and rinsed
• Tomato puree - 100g
• Ground cumin - 1 teaspoon
• Ground coriander - 1 teaspoon
• Paprika - 1 teaspoon
• Cinnamon - 1/2 teaspoon
• Salt - 1/2 teaspoon
• Black pepper - 1/4 teaspoon
• Fresh parsley - a handful, chopped
• Lemon juice - 1 tablespoon

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Slice the eggplant into 1 cm thick rounds and sprinkle with salt. Let them sit for 15 minutes to draw out moisture, then rinse and pat dry.
3. In a skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Add the minced garlic and chopped onion, sauté until softened, about 3-4 minutes.
4. Add the diced red bell pepper and zucchini to the skillet, cooking for another 5-7 minutes until the vegetables are tender.
5. Stir in the chickpeas, tomato puree, cumin, coriander, paprika, cinnamon, salt, and black pepper. Cook for an additional 5 minutes to meld the flavors.
6. In a baking dish, arrange a layer of eggplant slices, followed by the chickpea mixture. Repeat the layers until all ingredients are used, finishing with a layer of eggplant on top.
7. Drizzle the remaining tablespoon of olive oil over the top layer of eggplant. Cover with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes.
8. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the eggplant is tender and slightly golden.
9. Remove from the oven, drizzle with lemon juice, and garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

Nutrition

• Calories: 350
• Protein: 12 g
• Carbs: 45 g
• Fiber: 12 g
• Sugar: 6 g
• Sodium: 400 mg
• Cholesterol: 0 mg
• Total Fat: 14 g
• Saturated Fat: 2 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
• Water: 0.5 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in dietary fiber, promoting digestive health.
• Contains antioxidants and anti-inflammatory compounds from eggplant and spices.

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