Ingredients

2 lbs small eggplants or 2 medium eggplants
salt and pepper
1 -2 tablespoon tomato paste
4 cloves garlic , halved
1 tablespoon olive oil or 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1/2 cup long-grain rice , rinsed and drained
salt & freshly ground black pepper
3 tablespoons olive oil or 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
1 medium onion , finely chopped
1/2 lb lean ground beef
2 tablespoons chopped parsley
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon turmeric
3 tablespoons slivered almonds , toasted ( optional )
Yummy Stuffed Eggplant with Meat and Rice is a flavorful and healthy dish that combines baked eggplants with a savory beef and rice filling. This Middle Eastern dish is easy to make and is a great way to add more vegetables to your diet. The eggplants are sliced in half and scored to allow for better absorption of the tomato paste and seasoning, resulting in a delicious and tender vegetable. The beef and rice mixture is spiced with cumin and turmeric for added flavor and is topped with slivered almonds for a crunchy texture. This dish is perfect for a family dinner or for meal prep for the week ahead.

Instructions

1.Preheat the oven to 400 degrees F. Cut off the stem of the eggplants and slice them in half lengthwise. Score the flesh of the eggplants with a knife in a crosshatch pattern.
2.Season the eggplants with salt and pepper and brush them with tomato paste. Place the eggplants on a baking sheet and scatter garlic halves on top. Drizzle olive oil on top of the eggplants and bake them in the oven for 20 minutes.
3.In the meantime, cook the rice in a pot of salted water for 15 minutes until it's tender but still has some bite.
4.In a pan, heat olive oil and add chopped onions. Cook the onions for 5 minutes until they are soft. Add the ground beef to the pan and cook it until it's browned.
5.Add chopped parsley, ground cumin, and turmeric to the pan with the ground beef and cook for another 2 minutes. Mix in cooked rice and season the mixture with salt and pepper.
6.Fill the cavity of the eggplants with the beef and rice mixture.
7.Top with slivered almonds (optional) and bake for another 20-25 minutes in the preheated oven until the eggplants are tender and the filling is golden brown on top.

PROS

This recipe makes a hearty and filling meal that is perfect for lunch or dinner.

Eggplants are a nutritious vegetable that is low in calories and high in fiber.

CONS

The recipe calls for a small amount of vegetable oil to be used in both the eggplants and beef and rice mixture, which can increase the calorie count of the dish.

Cooking the rice and beef mixture together can take some time, but the result is worth the effort.

HEALTH & BENEFITS

Eggplants are a nutrient-rich vegetable that contains vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that may help lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.
Ground beef is a good source of protein and iron, but it’s also high in saturated fat. To make this recipe healthier, you can use lean ground turkey or chicken instead of beef.

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