Patlıcan Musakka

Patlıcan Musakka is a delightful vegetarian Turkish dish featuring layers of tender eggplant, rich tomato sauce, and aromatic spices, all baked to perfection. This hearty casserole is a comforting meal that showcases the flavors of Mediterranean cuisine.

Ingredients

• Eggplant - 2 medium-sized
• Olive oil - 4 tablespoons
• Onion - 1 medium, chopped
• Garlic - 2 cloves, minced
• Red bell pepper - 1, diced
• Tomato - 2 medium, diced
• Tomato paste - 2 tablespoons
• Salt - 1 teaspoon
• Black pepper - 1/2 teaspoon
• Ground cumin - 1/2 teaspoon
• Dried oregano - 1 teaspoon
• Chickpeas - 1 cup, cooked or canned
• Feta cheese - 100 grams, crumbled
• Fresh parsley - 2 tablespoons, chopped

Steps

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
2. Slice the eggplants into 1 cm thick rounds and sprinkle with salt. Let them sit for 15 minutes to draw out bitterness, then rinse and pat dry.
3. In a large skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Sauté the chopped onion and minced garlic until translucent.
4. Add the diced red bell pepper and cook for another 5 minutes until softened.
5. Stir in the diced tomatoes, tomato paste, salt, black pepper, cumin, and oregano. Cook for 10 more minutes until the mixture thickens slightly.
6. In another skillet, heat the remaining olive oil over medium heat. Fry the eggplant slices in batches until golden brown on both sides. Drain on paper towels.
7. In a baking dish, layer half of the fried eggplant slices, followed by half of the tomato sauce mixture and half of the chickpeas. Repeat the layers.
8. Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese on top of the final layer.
9. Cover the baking dish with foil and bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes. Remove the foil and bake for an additional 10 minutes until the top is slightly golden.
10. Garnish with chopped parsley before serving.

Nutrition

• Calories: 380
• Protein: 12 g
• Carbs: 45 g
• Fiber: 12 g
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 600 mg
• Cholesterol: 25 mg
• Total Fat: 22 g
• Saturated Fat: 6 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 16 g
• Water: 0.5 L

Health Benefits

• Rich in dietary fiber, which aids digestion.
• Contains antioxidants from eggplants and tomatoes, promoting overall health.

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