RECIPE: Stuffed Eggplant

The recipe word of the day is eggplant. Eggplant is an excellent source of vitamins and minerals. The deep color is absolutely beautiful. Don't throw away the peel!!! When I make this dish everything goes straight to the tummy.

2 (1 pound) eggplants

2 tablespoons olive oil

1 medium onion, chopped

3 cloves garlic, minced

6 sprigs fresh parsley, chopped

1 1/2 cups fresh bread crumbs

1/2 cup grated Gruyere cheese

2 tablespoons chopped black olives

1 lemon, juiced

1 teaspoon chopped fresh basil

1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes

1 teaspoon salt

pepper to taste

12 slices tomato

1/4 cup grated Gruyere cheese

4 tablespoons olive oil

Preheat oven to 350. Cut eggplant in half, scoop out the pulp, leaving a 1/2 inch shell. Chop the flesh finely.
Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Cook chopped eggplant for about 1 minute. Stir in onion, garlic, and parsley, and cook until tender. Transfer to a large bowl, and mix in bread crumbs, 1/2 cup Gruyere, chopped olives and lemon juice. Season with basil, pepper flakes, salt, and pepper. Stuff into eggplant shells.
Top stuffed eggplants with overlapping slices of tomato. Sprinkle evenly with remaining 1/4 cup cheese, and drizzle with remaining 4 tablespoons olive oil. Place on baking sheet.
Bake in preheated oven for 30 minutes.

Categories: Lifestyle