Lebanese Eggplant Bake

Ingredients:

• 2 large eggplants
• 250g ground meat (lamb or beef)
• 1 medium onion
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 can of cooked chickpeas (about 240g drained)
• 300g Greek yogurt
• 1 tablespoon tahini (optional)
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 50g toasted pine nuts (optional)
• 2 tablespoons chopped parsley
• Olive oil, as needed
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Crispy pita (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

Preparing the Eggplants:

1. Slice or cube the eggplants, then arrange them on a baking sheet. Brush with a little olive oil and roast in a preheated oven at 200°C for about 20-25 minutes, until tender and lightly browned. You can also pan-fry the pieces in oil if you prefer a quicker method.

Cooking the Meat:

1. In a large pan, heat some olive oil and sauté the finely chopped onion until it becomes golden brown.
2. Add the chopped garlic and stir briefly to release its aroma.
3. Incorporate the ground meat, breaking it into smaller pieces with a spatula, and cook until browned. Season with salt, pepper, cumin, and paprika.

Adding the Chickpeas:

1. Once the meat is almost done, stir in the drained chickpeas and cook for a few minutes to absorb the flavors.

Making the Yogurt Sauce:

1. In a bowl, mix the Greek yogurt with lemon juice, a pinch of salt, and tahini (if using). Drizzle a bit of olive oil into the mix to smooth out the sauce.

Assembling the Dish:

1. In a baking dish, spread the roasted eggplants as the base.
2. Layer the meat and chickpea mixture over the eggplants.
3. Pour the yogurt sauce evenly on top.

Garnishing:

1. For extra flavor and texture, garnish with toasted pine nuts, chopped parsley, and crispy pita pieces if desired.

Final Baking:

1. Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C for about 15 minutes, allowing the dish to heat through and the flavors to meld.

Serving:

1. It can be served either warm or cooled down, depending on your preference.

Tips:

• You can add other Lebanese spices like sumac or za’atar for more authentic flavor.
• For a vegetarian option, omit the meat and increase the chickpeas or add vegetables such as zucchini or bell peppers.
• This dish works wonderfully as part of a Mediterranean-themed meal!