Stuffed Aubergine

This stuffed aubergine recipe page is from the Completely Crete Website, Cretan Diet section. Authentic Crete Recipes from the Crete Diet for health and long life.

Ingredients for Cretan Stuffed Aubergines

2 tbs olive oil
2 medium aubergines (eggplant)
150g minced beef
50g parmesan or other hard cheese
10/12 pitted black olives sliced
2 garlic cloves
2 large tomatoes, chopped
1 teaspoon oregano
salt, pepper

Method

Preheat the oven to 200°C and bake the whole aubergines for 12-15 minutes according to size, till softened. Once the aubergines are cool, cut each in half horizontally. With a small sharp knife scoop out the flesh, leaving a shell about 5mm (¼in) thick. Chop the aubergine flesh scooped from the centre.

Crush one of the cloves lightly and chop the other very finely. Place the crushed garlic clove in a frying pan with the olive oil and warm gently on low heat. Discard the garlic clove, add the mince beef, turn up the heat and brown well. Add the tomatoes, aubergine, oregano and the minced garlic clove, season and simmer uncovered for 10-12 minutes or till well-reduced.

Add a little water if needed to keep the mixture simmering. While it simmers, grate the cheese and slice the olives finely.

Fill the aubergine shells with the mixture and place on top the olives and grated cheese. Place in a lightly-oiled baking dish and bake for 30 minutes at about 180°C.