Stuffed Eggplant Delight (Sheikh Al Mihshi)
Indulge in the rich flavors of Sheikh Al Mihshi, a traditional Middle Eastern dish featuring tender eggplants stuffed with a savory blend of ground lamb or beef, aromatic spices, and crunchy pine nuts. This delightful recipe is perfect for a hearty lunch or as a satisfying snack, making it an excellent choice for gatherings or family meals. The eggplants are lightly browned to enhance their flavor and then baked until they're infused with the delicious tomato sauce, creating a wholesome and comforting dish that will impress your guests and delight your taste buds.
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
Japanese eggplants
12 small or 6 medium (stalks removed, peeled in stripes)
Samneh (clarified butter) or oil
1/4 cup (for browning eggplants)
Ground lamb or ground beef
500 g (finely ground)
Oil
2 tablespoons (for cooking meat)
Onion
1 large (finely chopped)
Garlic
1 clove (finely chopped)
Pine nuts
1/4 cup (for mixing)
Ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon (for flavor)
Ground allspice
1/4 teaspoon (for flavor)
Parsley
1/4 cup (finely chopped)
Salt
to taste (for seasoning)
Fresh ground black pepper
to taste (for seasoning)
Tomato puree
1 cup (for topping)
Water
optional (to add during cooking if necessary)
Instructions
1
Begin by preparing the eggplants: Remove the stalks and peel the eggplants in 1 cm intervals to create a striped effect. This will enhance their visual appeal and flavor absorption.
2
In a large skillet, heat the clarified butter or oil over medium heat. Lightly brown the eggplants on all sides, ensuring they develop a golden color. Remove the eggplants from the skillet and set them on a plate to cool.
3
In the same skillet, add the minced meat (lamb or beef), oil, finely chopped onion, and garlic. Cook the mixture while stirring frequently until the meat is browned and the moisture evaporates, about 5-7 minutes.
4
Stir in the pine nuts, ground cinnamon, ground allspice, chopped parsley, salt, and pepper. Mix well and remove from heat.
5
Take each eggplant and make a deep slit along one side. Carefully stuff each eggplant with the meat mixture until well-filled.
6
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Arrange the stuffed eggplants in a baking dish. Pour the tomato puree over them, adding salt and pepper to taste.
7
Cover the dish with aluminum foil and place it in the preheated oven. Bake for about 30 minutes, removing the foil halfway through. If the eggplants appear dry, you can add a little water to the dish and baste the eggplants with the juices occasionally.
8
Once cooked and tender, remove from the oven and let cool for a few minutes before serving.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Stuffed Eggplant Delight (Sheikh Al Mihshi)?
Sheikh Al Mihshi is a traditional Middle Eastern dish featuring tender eggplants stuffed with a savory blend of ground meat, aromatic spices, and crunchy pine nuts.
What type of eggplants are best for this recipe?
The recipe calls for Japanese eggplants, specifically 12 small or 6 medium ones.
What does the name Sheikh Al Mihshi mean?
It is often referred to as the King of Stuffed Dishes in Middle Eastern cuisine due to its rich and savory profile.
How should the eggplants be prepared before cooking?
You should remove the stalks and peel the eggplants in 1 cm intervals to create a striped effect for better visual appeal and flavor absorption.
What is the first step in cooking the eggplants?
Lightly brown the eggplants on all sides in a large skillet with clarified butter or oil until they develop a golden color.
What meat can I use for the filling?
You can use 500g of either finely ground lamb or ground beef for the stuffing.
What is Samneh?
Samneh is clarified butter, which is used in this recipe for browning the eggplants to add a rich flavor.
What aromatics are used in the meat mixture?
The recipe uses one large finely chopped onion and one clove of finely chopped garlic.
Which spices provide the signature flavor of this dish?
Ground cinnamon and ground allspice are the primary spices used to flavor the meat filling.
Why are pine nuts included in the recipe?
Pine nuts are added to the meat mixture to provide a crunchy texture and nutty flavor.
How long should the meat mixture cook?
The meat, onion, and garlic should be stirred frequently for about 5 to 7 minutes until the meat is browned and moisture evaporates.
When do I add the parsley?
Chopped parsley is stirred into the meat mixture after it has been removed from the heat.
How do I stuff the eggplants?
Make a deep slit along one side of each browned eggplant and carefully fill it with the prepared meat mixture.
At what temperature should the oven be preheated?
The oven should be preheated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit or 190 degrees Celsius.
What kind of sauce is used for baking?
The stuffed eggplants are topped with 1 cup of tomato puree before being placed in the oven.
How long does the dish need to bake?
The dish should bake for approximately 30 minutes in total.
Should the baking dish be covered?
Yes, cover the dish with aluminum foil for the first half of the baking process, then remove it for the remaining time.
What should I do if the eggplants look dry while baking?
You can add a little water to the baking dish and baste the eggplants with the juices occasionally.
How many people does this recipe serve?
This recipe is designed to provide 6 servings.
Is this recipe suitable for family gatherings?
Yes, it is described as an excellent choice for gatherings or family meals due to its wholesome and comforting nature.
What can I use instead of clarified butter?
If you do not have Samneh, any standard cooking oil can be used for browning the eggplants and cooking the meat.
Is there a vegetarian option for this dish?
While the main recipe uses lamb or beef, the tags suggest it can be adapted as a vegetarian option by replacing the meat with a plant-based substitute.
What texture should the eggplants have when finished?
The eggplants should be tender and fully infused with the flavors of the tomato sauce and meat stuffing.
How much oil is needed for cooking the meat?
Two tablespoons of oil are used specifically for cooking the meat mixture.
What are the primary flavor tags for this recipe?
The tags include savory snacks, Middle Eastern cuisine, comfort food, and baked dishes.
Can I use fresh pepper in this recipe?
Yes, the recipe specifies using fresh ground black pepper to taste for seasoning.
Is the garlic chopped or crushed?
The recipe specifies using one clove of garlic that is finely chopped.
Should I let the dish cool before serving?
Yes, it is recommended to let the dish cool for a few minutes after removing it from the oven before serving.
Is the tomato puree seasoned?
Yes, you should add salt and pepper to the tomato puree to taste before pouring it over the eggplants.
What is the serving size for this recipe?
While the specific weight is not listed, the recipe is portioned for 6 people.