Cheesy Eggplant Steaks Recipe: A Deliciously Easy Dinner

by

Eggplant, a versatile vegetable, takes center stage in this sumptuous recipe, transforming simple ingredients into a delightful dish that’s hard to keep a secret. Combining the robust flavors of ground beef and the freshness of tomatoes, topped with a generous layer of melted cheese, this recipe offers a mouthwatering way to enjoy eggplant in a new and exciting form.

Ingredients:

  • 2 eggplants
  • 300 grams (10 oz) ground beef
  • 60 ml (2 fl oz) water (optional, for dry ground beef)
  • 2-3 tomatoes
  • 60 grams (2 oz) hard cheese (such as cheddar or Parmesan)
  • Salt, to taste

Instructions:

  1. Preheat Oven: Set your oven to 180°C (350°F).
  2. Prepare Eggplants: Slice the eggplants into 1-1.5 cm thick rounds and lay them on a baking tray. Pierce each slice with a fork to ensure even cooking and flavor absorption.
  3. Salt Eggplants: Lightly salt the eggplant slices and let them sit for a few minutes to draw out moisture.
  4. Prepare Beef: If your ground beef is dry, mix it with 60 ml of water to improve its spreadability. Season the beef with salt.
  5. Assemble Steaks: Spread the seasoned ground beef evenly over each eggplant slice.
  6. Add Tomatoes: Thinly slice the tomatoes and place one slice on top of the minced meat on each eggplant slice. Season the tomatoes with a pinch of salt.
  7. Bake: Place the baking tray in the oven and bake for 30 minutes.
  8. Add Cheese: Remove the tray from the oven, sprinkle finely grated cheese over the tomatoes, and increase the oven temperature to 200°C (400°F).
  9. Final Bake: Return the eggplant steaks to the oven and bake for an additional 5 minutes, or until the cheese is melted and golden.

Tips for Perfect Eggplant Steaks:

  • Draining Eggplants: After salting the eggplant slices, let them rest to draw out moisture. This step ensures they become wonderfully tender when baked.
  • Even Slices: Make sure to slice your eggplants evenly to promote uniform cooking.
  • Cheese Choices: Experiment with different types of cheese for varying flavors and textures. Mozzarella can also be a great choice for a more gooey topping.

This eggplant recipe is designed to impress with its layers of flavor and is sure to become a beloved dish in your culinary repertoire.

Serving Suggestions:

  • Accompaniments: Complement this dish with a fresh arugula salad drizzled with balsamic vinegar or a side of garlic bread for a satisfying meal.
  • Presentation: Serve these eggplant steaks on a warm plate with fresh herbs sprinkled on top for added color and flavor.

Nutritional Information:

  • Caloric Content: Each serving is approximately 250-300 calories, making it a moderately calorific dish suitable for a main meal.
  • Health Benefits: Eggplants are low in calories but high in fiber, which can help in managing weight. The tomatoes add a good dose of antioxidants like lycopene, and the cheese provides calcium for bone health.
  • Dietary Adjustments: For a lower-fat version, use reduced-fat cheese and leaner cuts of ground meat. Vegetarians can substitute the ground beef with a mix of quinoa and finely chopped nuts for protein.

Explore More Recipes:

Leave a Comment