Moroccan Stuffed Eggplant Aubergine Food

MOROCCAN AUBERGINE & CHICKPEA SALAD

Steps:

• Thickly slice the aubergines and arrange over a grill rack. Brush lightly with oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, then grill until browned. Turn them over, brush and season again then cook until tender, about 8-10 mins in total. Remove from the grill and cut each slice into quarters.
• Drain and rinse the chickpeas, then tip into a bowl with the aubergine, coriander and red onion. Mix the dressing ingredients in a screw-top jar, shake well, then use to dress the salad.

MOROCCAN CHICKPEA AND EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) STEW

Steps:

• Cut off the ends of the eggplant, than chop into ¾" cubes. I salted an eggplant once just for fun, but with fresh eggplant just don't find it necessary!
• Chop the onion roughly.
• Mince the garlic.
• Coat a large deep-sided frypan with olive oil. and heat over a medium heat.
• Add the minced garlic, onion, chili powder, cumin and cinnamon. Stir well to coat evenly. Cook until the onions have softened (approx. 4-5 minutes).
• Add the eggplant, tomatoes and chickpeas, along with the stock. Simmer over medium-low heat, covered, for fifteen-twenty minutes (until the eggplant is tender).
• Uncover and stir. If the stew looks very soupy, let the liquid bubble away for a few more minutes.
• Salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve over rice / pasta / cous cous / even toast would be yummy.
• The qty of spice listed make it moderately hot - good for a taste explosion for someone not used to spices. I normally double them as I like things really spicy!

MOROCCAN STUFFED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Leaving the stem on, slice the eggplant in half lengthwise and place it, cut side down, on an oiled baking sheet. Cover it with aluminum foil and bake at 375 degrees for about 50 minutes, or until tender.
• Saute the onion, garlic and spices in 3 T olive oil until the onion is translucent. Stir often to prevent burning.
• Add the chopped tomatoes and simmer, covered, for 3 to 4 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a separate pot, heat the 2 T of olive oil. Toss the rice and lentils in the hot oil for a couple of minutes until the color of the rice changes to golden-brown. Immediately add 2 cups of water (stand back! It will splatter), bring it to a boil and simmer, covered, for about 10 minutes until the water is absorbed. Remove from heat.
• Add the rice, chickpeas and raisins.
• Stir in the sauteed onion-tomato mixture, the lemon juice and the parsley. Add garam masala, hot sauce and salt and pepper to taste.
• Turn the baked eggplant halves over in the baking pan. With a fork or spoon, mash the pulp a little, taking care not to break the skin. Push aside some of the pulp to make a hollow in the middle if desired. Mound half of the filling on each half.
• Bake, covered, at 375 degrees for 20 minutes.
• Sprinkle with feta cheese and serve.

STUFFED AUBERGINES

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200C/Fan 180C/Gas 6. Cut the aubergines in half, lengthways, and (leaving a border of around 5mm/¼in), cut out the flesh.
• Dice the flesh and set aside. Brush the inside of the aubergines with olive oil and season with salt. Place in a baking tin and cover with foil. Bake for 20 minutes.
• Heat 2 tablespoons of the olive oil in a pan. Add the onion and fry gently over a medium heat for 10 minutes, or until softened.
• Increase the heat, add the garlic and aubergine flesh and stir until the aubergine has lightly browned. Add the herbs, chilli flakes, if using, and the tomatoes and season with salt and pepper. Stir to combine, reduce the heat and cover.
• Simmer for 10 minutes, remove the lid and continue to cook until any liquid has evaporated.
• Spoon the mixture into the aubergine halves. Mix the breadcrumbs with the cheese, lemon zest and basil, and season with a little salt and pepper. Sprinkle this over the stuffed aubergines, and drizzle with more olive oil.
• Bake the aubergines, uncovered, for 25-30 minutes, or until the filling is hot and the top has lightly browned. Serve.

EASY GREEK VEGETARIAN STUFFED AUBERGINE/EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Pierce the aubergine all over with a fork and then wrap in foil and bake in the oven at 180C/350F for 30 minutes.
• Cut in half and scoop out the cooked flesh and chop up into small pieces.
• Mix the cooked aubergine flesh with all other ingredients in a bowl (omit the coriander)
• Stuff all of this back into the aubergine shells and grill for 10 minutes at high heat.
• Serve with a wedge of lemon and scattered with fresh coriander.

MOROCCAN STUFFED EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE)

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 200°C.
• Using a small knife and a spoon, carefully remove the flesh from the eggplant halves without breaking the skin, and chop the flesh coarsely.
• Place the eggplant halves onto a baking tray, cut side up, drizzle with 1 tablespoon of oil and bake for 10-15 minutes, until tender.
• Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons of oil in a large pan, over a medium heat, and sauté the eggplant flesh for 3-5 minutes, until it is golden and tender; remove from the pan and set aside.
• In the same pan, heat the remaining oil over a high heat and sauté the onion and garlic for 1 minute, then add the ground meat and cook for 4-5 minutes, until it is well browned, breaking up the lumps as it browns with the back of a spoon.
• Return the eggplant to the pan, add the Moroccan seasoning and cook, stirring, for 1 minute, until fragrant. Stir in the tomato, pine nuts and sugar and season to taste.
• Fill the eggplant halves with the meat mixture and sprinkle with breadcrumbs and Parmesan.
• Bake for 25-30 minutes, until golden and tender.
• Serve with the tomato and cucumber salad and fresh crusty bread.
• Tomato and Cucumber Salad: Chop the cucumber and toss the cucumber pieces and halved cherry tomatoes with the olive oil and red wine vinegar and season to taste.

AUBERGINE SALAD

Steps:

• Soak sun-dried tomatoes in boiling water 15-30 minutes until they soften, then drain and dice; set aside until needed.
• Heat oil in a large skillet; add eggplant, red pepper, and onion along with salt, pepper, cumin, paprika, and garlic.
• Cook mixture, stirring occasionally, over medium heat, for 8-9 minutes or until lightly tender, then remove from heat and allow to cool.
• In a large bowl, mix together chopped olives, chopped sun-dried tomatoes, chopped parsley, toasted almonds, lemon juice, and mint (if using).
• Mix in cooled eggplant mixture, tossing lightly (add extra-virgin olive oil, salt, or fresh lemon juice if desired to adjust consistency to your taste).
• Serve salad warm or chilled with fresh pita bread, or alone as a salad or first course.

MOROCCAN-SPICED EGGPLANT AND TOMATO STEW

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (218 C) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Add diced eggplant, drizzle with avocado or olive oil, and sprinkle with salt. Toss to coat and roast for 30-35 minutes, flipping / tossing near the 20-minute mark.
• In the meantime, heat a large rimmed pan or pot over medium heat. Once hot, add oil (or water) and onions. Sauté for 4-5 minutes, stirring frequently, or until soft and slightly caramelized.
• Add garlic, cumin, and paprika and stir to coat. Cook for 1 minute more.
• Add tomatoes and their juices as well as water (or vegetable broth). Cover and bring to a simmer over medium heat. Cook for 4 minutes to allow the flavors to develop.
• Remove cover and add (rinsed, drained) chickpeas (optional), maple syrup, and harissa paste and stir to coat. Cover and simmer over medium-low heat.
• Remove roasted eggplant from oven, turn oven off, and add eggplant to the tomatoes and chickpeas. Stir to combine and cover. Simmer over medium-low / low heat for another 10 minutes to allow flavors to deepen.
• Taste and adjust flavors as needed, adding more maple syrup to balance the heat, cumin, or paprika for smokiness, salt to taste, or harissa paste for spice.
• Serve as is or over rice or grain of choice (or pasta or roasted vegetables) with wedges of fresh lemon and fresh chopped parsley or cilantro. Additional harissa paste can be added as garnish for additional heat.
• Store completely cooled leftovers in the refrigerator up to 5 days or in the freezer up to 1 month. Reheat on the stovetop, adding more water or vegetable broth as needed to rehydrate.

MOROCCAN ZAALOUK RECIPE

Steps:

• Bring a big pot of water to boil, lower the heat to medium-high and add your diced aubergine. Cook for 15-18 minutes, or until the aubergines have completely cooked trough. We are not looking for al dente here, they have to be very soft. Drain, and set aside.
• Cut your tomatoes in half, lengthwise. Grab a box grater and grate your tomatoes face down until the only thing your left holding is the skin. Be careful not to hurt yourself. (See notes)
• Heat up a sauce pan on medium heat and add olive oil. Once your olive oil is hot, add your onions and saute for 4-5 minutes or until your onions get translucent. Then add tomato pulp & juice, tomato paste, spices, salt and pepper and garlic. Cook your tomato sauce for 10-12 minutes with the lid on.
• Add your cooked aubergine into the sauce. You will notice that the texture is chunky and still a bit watery. Remove from the heat. Grab a potato masher or even a fork and mash your aubergines until you get a smooth consistency.
• Put your sauce pan back on the stove at medium-low heat and let it simmer uncovered for another 7-10 minutes or until most of the water evaporates.
• Remove from the heat. Garnish with a drizzle of olive oil and some freshly topped cilantro. Serve with a nice hunk of bread and enjoy!

MOROCCAN EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) FRITTERS

Steps:

• Microwave eggplant until tender.
• Transfer to processor and puree.
• Whisk puree with 2 eggs, 1 cup breadcrumbs and all ingredients up to and including cardamon (mixture will be very soft).
• Place 1 rounded tablespoonful of mixture into flour and turn to coat.
• Dip into beaten eggs, then in remaining 1 cup breadcrumbs to coat.
• Flatten between palms of hands forming 3 inch oval patties.
• Transfer to baking sheet.
• Repeat, using up all of eggplant mixture.
• Heat 3 inches of oil (olive oil is best but vegetable oil can be substituted) in large saucepan until hot.
• Add patties and cook until golden-brown, about 3 minutes per side.
• Transfer to paper towels to drain.
• (may be prepared 2 hours ahead, let stand at room temperature) Serve hot or at room temperature with tzatziki.

EGGPLANT ZAALOUK

Steps:

• Preheat the oven broiler.
• Cut eggplants in half and brush with olive oil, then broil until golden brown, about 15 minutes.
• Dice the tomatoes and sauté on high heat in olive oil. Add minced garlic, cumin and paprika.
• Dice the eggplants (with or without the skin) and finely chop the parsley, then add to the tomatoes.
• Keep stirring and cook until eggplant is tender for about 15 to 20 minutes. Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Drizzle olive oil and add a pinch of chili powder.

MOROCCAN ZAALOUK (COOKED EGGPLANT AND TOMATO SALAD)

Steps:

• Gather the ingredients.
• Combine eggplant, tomatoes, garlic, cilantro, parsley, paprika, cumin, salt, oil, water, and cayenne in a large deep skillet or pot. Cover and simmer over medium to medium-high heat for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• With a spoon or potato masher, crush and blend tomatoes and eggplant.
• Add lemon wedge to the pot, if using. Continue simmering mixture, uncovered, for 10 minutes. The lemon will give a tangy nuance but is not necessary.
• The zaalouk is ready when liquids are reduced and mixture can be stirred into a heap in the center of the pan.
• Drizzle olive oil-or chile oil if you like spicy food. Serve with sliced crusty bread.

MOROCCAN VEGETABLES WITH COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200C/180C Fan/Gas 6.
• Cut the aubergines in half from top to bottom and score in a criss-cross pattern through the flesh. Place on a small baking tray and spray with oil. Season with a little black pepper and bake for 30-40 minutes or until very tender and lightly browned.
• Meanwhile, spray a large non-stick frying pan with oil and place over a medium heat. Add the onion and cook for five minutes, stirring regularly until softened and lightly browned. Add the cumin, coriander, chilli and cinnamon and cook for a few seconds, stirring constantly.
• Pour the tomatoes into the pan. Add the pepper, courgette, chickpeas, coriander and stock. Season with a little salt and lots of ground black pepper and bring to a gentle simmer. Cook for around 20 minutes, stirring occasionally until the vegetables are tender and the sauce is thick.
• Just before the sauce is ready, make the couscous. Dissolve the stock cube in 100ml/3½fl oz just-boiled water in a medium bowl. Stir in the couscous, cover and rest for three minutes. Add the lemon zest, coriander and season to taste. Toss well together, using a fork to break up the clumps of couscous.
• Divide the aubergines between four plates. Stir the lemon juice into the chickpeas and season to taste. Spoon the spiced chickpeas over the aubergines. Add the couscous and sprinkle with chopped nuts. Garnish with coriander and yoghurt.

ITALIAN-STYLE STUFFED AUBERGINES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Slice the aubergines in half lengthways, leaving the stem intact. Using a small knife, cut a border inside each aubergine about ½-1cm thick. Using a teaspoon, scoop out the aubergine flesh, so that you have 4 shells. Brush these with a little of the oil, season and place in a baking dish. Cover with foil and bake for 20 mins. Chop the flesh and place to one side.
• Meanwhile, add the remaining oil to a non-stick frying pan. Tip in the onion and cook until soft. Add the chopped aubergine flesh and cook through. Tip in the garlic and tomatoes and cook for 3 mins more. Stir in olives, basil, mozzarella and seasoning.
• When the aubergine shells are tender, remove from the oven and reduce heat to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Pile stuffing into shells, sprinkle with breadcrumbs and drizzle with a little more oil. Bake for 15-20 mins, until the cheese is gooey and the breadcrumbs are golden. Serve with a green salad.