Spice Stuffed Indian Eggplant Recipes

SPICED LAMB-STUFFED EGGPLANTS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
• Cut the eggplants in half lengthwise, including the stems. Using a sharp paring knife, scoop out some of the flesh, leaving a shell that is 1/3 inch thick and reserving the scooped-out eggplant. Place the eggplant shells snugly in a single layer in a large (10-by-14-inch) rectangular baking dish. Brush the eggplant all over with 1/4 cup olive oil (use it all!) and sprinkle with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 3/4 teaspoon pepper. Pour 1/4 cup water in the baking dish, cover tightly with aluminum foil, and bake for 30 minutes, until the shells are tender when pierced with a small knife. Remove from the oven, discard the foil, and leave the oven on.
• Meanwhile, for the lamb filling, in a large (12-inch) skillet, heat 3 tablespoons olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and saute for 5 minutes, tossing occasionally, until tender. Cut the reserved scooped-out eggplant into 1/2-inch dice (you should have about 2 cups). Add the eggplant to the onion and cook for 5 minutes, adding more oil if it seems dry. Add the garlic and cook for 30 seconds, until fragrant. Add the ground lamb and cook, mashing lightly with a fork, for 5 to 7 minutes, until no longer pink. Add the oregano and cinnamon and cook for one minute. Add the wine, tomatoes, marinara, parsley, 2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon pepper. Bring to a boil, lower the heat, and simmer uncovered for 25 to 30 minutes, until the liquid evaporates. Spoon the filling into the eggplant halves in the baking dish. (You may have a little extra filling.)
• In a medium bowl, mash the ricotta, goat cheese, egg yolks, mint, 1 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper with a fork. With a spoon, place large dollops of the ricotta mixture on the lamb filling and bake for 30 to 40 minutes, until the filling is hot and the topping is lightly browned. Serve warm, sprinkled with extra mint.

POTATO-STUFFED EGGPLANTS WITH INDIAN SPICES

Steps:

• Cut eggplant in half longitudinally.
• Place cut side up in microwave and cook on high 5mins or just until soft enough that you can scoop out the pulp leaving a firm shell. Reserve these shells.
• Heat one tablespoon oil and add cumin seeds. Just as they crackle, add ginger, chilis cumin and coriander powders.
• Stir in the potatoes, tomato and salt; cover and cook about 5mins over medium heat.
• Mix in the mashed eggplant, reduce heat and let cook until the potatoes are completely soft.
• Take the eggplant shells and fill each half with this potato-pulp mixture.
• In a small bowl make a paste of the flour and water. Spread this paste in a layer over the potatoes, ensuring the top and sides of the stuffing are completely covered.
• Sprinkle the chopped cilanto over the paste.
• Heat remaining oil in a large skillet, and pan-fry the eggplant in it, stuffing side down. The flour paste will form a shell on it as it fries.
• Turn over and fry the skin side too, until it crisps up.

SPICE-STUFFED INDIAN EGGPLANT

Steps:

• 1. Prepare the ginger-garlic paste. Then cut the eggplants: Starting at the bottom, make a deep cross-cut toward the stem, stopping about 1/4 inch from the stem. Keep the stem intact. (You should be able to pick up each eggplant by the stem.)2. In a small bowl, mix together the coriander, fennel, cumin, fenugreek, pomegranate seeds, mango powder, cayenne pepper, turmeric, and salt. Fill each eggplant with about 1/2 teaspoon of the spice mixture, making sure that the cut surfaces are covered. Save leftover spices.3. Heat the oil in a large wok, preferably cast-iron, or a nonstick skillet over medium heat, add the eggplants and cook, turning a few times, about 5 minutes. Then reduce the heat to low, cover the pan, and cook, turning occasionally, until the eggplants are almost black and crispy on the outsides and meltingly soft inside, about 1 hour. Add the leftover spice mixture during the last 10 minutes. Mix in the cilantro, transfer to a serving dish, and serve.From "1,000 Indian Recipes." Copyright 2002 by Neelam Batra. Used with permission of the publisher, Wiley Publishing, Inc. All Rights Reserved.