Mediterranean Eggplant Rolls with Creamy Goat Cheese and Herb Tomato Sauce
Savor the vibrant flavors of these Mediterranean-inspired Eggplant Rolls! Each roll is filled with a savory blend of bulgur, sun-dried tomatoes, and creamy goat cheese, all enveloped in tender, grilled eggplant slices. Served on a bed of rich, homemade tomato sauce with fragrant basil, these rolls make for a delightful meatless main dish. Perfectly portioned, you can enjoy 2 to 3 rolls per serving, while extra bulgur mix can be made and frozen for future meals. This dish not only pleases the palate but also provides a hearty and nutritious meal option that is sure to impress family and friends alike.
4-6
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
olive oil
1/3 cup (divided for cooking)
onion, chopped
1 (finely chopped)
mushrooms, chopped
4 ounces (finely chopped)
garlic cloves, minced
2 (minced)
bulgur
1 cup (rinsed)
sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
1/4 cup (finely chopped)
chicken stock or vegetable stock
2 cups (low-sodium)
eggplants
2 (sliced lengthwise)
salt and pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
goat cheese
4 ounces (crumbled)
tomato sauce
4 cups (preferably homemade or high-quality store-bought)
basil
1/4 cup (fresh and chopped)
Instructions
1
In a skillet, heat 2 tablespoons of olive oil over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, mushrooms, and minced garlic, cooking until softened, approximately 5 minutes.
2
Stir in the bulgur and chopped sun-dried tomatoes, ensuring they are well-coated in the oil. Cook for an additional 2 minutes.
3
Pour in the chicken or vegetable stock, bringing the mixture to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat and cover, allowing to simmer for 20 minutes or until the liquid is fully absorbed. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and set aside.
4
While the bulgur is cooking, preheat another skillet over medium heat and add the remaining olive oil.
5
Prepare the eggplants by peeling 2-inch wide strips of skin from opposite sides and discarding them. Slice each eggplant lengthwise into 6 slices, about 1/4 inch thick. Brush both sides of the slices with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Grill the slices in the preheated skillet, turning once, until golden and tender, roughly 10 minutes. Remove and set aside on a tray.
6
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
7
Fold the goat cheese into the cooled bulgur mixture until well combined.
8
Take one slice of grilled eggplant and place it on a flat surface. Spread approximately 1/4 cup of the bulgur mixture over the narrow end, then roll it up tightly. Position the roll seam-side down on a baking tray. Repeat the process with the remaining eggplant slices.
9
Spread the tomato sauce evenly across a 13 x 9 inch baking dish. Place the eggplant rolls on top of the sauce, arranged seam side down. Cover the dish with aluminum foil and bake for 20 minutes, or until the sauce is bubbling hot.
10
Remove from the oven, garnish with freshly chopped basil, and serve warm.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the name of this eggplant dish?
The dish is called Mediterranean Eggplant Rolls with Creamy Goat Cheese and Herb Tomato Sauce.
Is this Mediterranean Eggplant Roll recipe vegetarian?
Yes, it is a meatless main dish, provided you use vegetable stock instead of chicken stock.
How many servings does this recipe provide?
This recipe makes approximately 4 to 6 servings.
How many eggplant rolls should I serve per person?
You can enjoy 2 to 3 rolls per serving.
What are the main components of the filling?
The filling consists of a savory blend of bulgur, sun-dried tomatoes, mushrooms, onions, garlic, and creamy goat cheese.
How should I prepare the eggplants for slicing?
Peel 2-inch wide strips of skin from opposite sides of the eggplants and discard them before slicing lengthwise.
How thick should the eggplant slices be?
Each eggplant should be sliced into 6 pieces, approximately 1/4 inch thick.
How long do I need to grill the eggplant slices?
Grill the slices in a skillet for roughly 10 minutes, turning once, until they are golden and tender.
What temperature should the oven be set to?
The oven should be preheated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius).
How long does the bulgur need to simmer?
The bulgur should simmer for 20 minutes or until the liquid is fully absorbed.
Can I freeze any part of this meal?
Yes, extra bulgur mix can be made and frozen for future meals.
What type of stock is recommended?
You can use 2 cups of either low-sodium chicken stock or vegetable stock.
How much goat cheese is required for the recipe?
The recipe calls for 4 ounces of crumbled goat cheese.
What size baking dish should I use?
A 13 x 9 inch baking dish is recommended.
Do I need to cover the dish while baking?
Yes, cover the dish with aluminum foil while it bakes.
How long do the eggplant rolls bake in the oven?
Bake for 20 minutes, or until the tomato sauce is bubbling hot.
What is the final garnish for the dish?
Garnish the finished rolls with 1/4 cup of freshly chopped basil.
How much tomato sauce is needed?
The recipe requires 4 cups of homemade or high-quality store-bought tomato sauce.
What kind of mushrooms should I use?
The recipe specifies 4 ounces of finely chopped mushrooms.
How much olive oil is needed in total?
You will need 1/3 cup of olive oil, divided for cooking the filling and brushing the eggplant.
When do I add the goat cheese to the mixture?
Fold the goat cheese into the bulgur mixture once it has cooled.
How do I assemble the eggplant rolls?
Place 1/4 cup of the mixture on the narrow end of an eggplant slice and roll it up tightly.
What direction should the rolls face in the baking dish?
The eggplant rolls should be placed seam-side down on top of the tomato sauce.
How many garlic cloves are used?
The recipe uses 2 minced garlic cloves.
Should the bulgur be rinsed before cooking?
Yes, the recipe suggests using 1 cup of rinsed bulgur.
What is the preparation for the sun-dried tomatoes?
You should use 1/4 cup of finely chopped sun-dried tomatoes.
How long do I sauté the onion, mushrooms, and garlic?
Sauté them over medium heat for approximately 5 minutes until softened.
Can I use store-bought tomato sauce?
Yes, high-quality store-bought sauce is a suitable alternative to homemade.
How do I season the eggplant slices?
Brush both sides with olive oil and season with salt and pepper to taste.
What is the total number of ingredients in this recipe?
There are 12 distinct ingredients listed for this dish.