Imam Bayildi

Name: Imam Bayildi
Ingredients: 3/4 cup (185 ml/6 fl oz) olive oil; 1 kg (2 lb) elongated eggplant (aubergines), cut in half lenthways; 3 onions, thinly sliced; 3 garlic cloves, finely chopped; 400 g (13 oz) Roma tomatoes, peeled and chopped, or a 400 g (13 oz) can good-quality chopped tomatoes; 2 teaspoons dried oregano; 4 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley; 1/4 cup (35 g/1.25 oz) currants; 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon; 2 tablespoons lemon juice; Pinch of sugar; 1/2 cup (125 ml/4 fl oz) tomato juice

12 ingredients

1 steps

Ingredients

3/4 cup (185 ml/6 fl oz) olive oil
1 kg (2 lb) elongated eggplant (aubergines), cut in half lenthways
3 onions, thinly sliced
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
400 g (13 oz) Roma tomatoes, peeled and chopped, or a 400 g (13 oz) can good-quality chopped tomatoes
2 teaspoons dried oregano
4 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/4 cup (35 g/1.25 oz) currants
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
2 tablespoons lemon juice
Pinch of sugar
1/2 cup (125 ml/4 fl oz) tomato juice

Directions

1

{"0":"1. Preheat the oven to moderate 350 degrees F. Heat half the olive oil in a large heavy-based frying pan and cook the eggplants on all sides for about 8-10 minutes, until the cut sides are golden. Remove from the pan and scoop out some flesh lining the skins.","1":"2. Heat the remaining olive oil in the same frying pan and cook the onion over medium heat for 8-10 minutes, until transparent. Add the garlic and cook for another minute. Add the tomato, oregano, parsley, currants, cinnamon, reserved eggplant flesh and salt and pepper, to taste.","2":"3. Place the eggplant shells in a large ovenproof dish and fill each with tomato mixture.","3":"4. Mix the lemon juice, sugar, tomato juice and some salt and pour over the eggplant. Cover and bake for 30 minutes, then uncover and cook for another 10 minutes. To serve, place on a serving platter and lightly drizzle with any remaining lemon juice.","5":"Note: This dish is best served at room temperature and makes an excellent first course."}