This stuffed eggplant recipe is known as papoutsakai translated to “little shoes” and are stuffed with a delicious meat filling and topped with a creamy bechamel sauce. You’ll love it!
Greek Stuffed Eggplant
Ingredients
Eggplant/Aubergine:
Greek Bolognese:
Bechamel Sauce:
Method
Eggplant/Aubergine:
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Preheat oven to 200C/400F.
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Slice each eggplant in half lengthwise. On the cut side, cut around the edge, leaving a 1cm border. Then on the inside, cut in a criss-cross pattern.
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Go deep down but not slicing through to the bottom of the eggplant. Brush the flesh with olive oil and sprinkle with salt and garlic powder.
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Turn them over on a baking tray lined with baking paper (flesh side down) and bake for about 30 minutes, until the inside of the eggplant is soft.
Meat Sauce:
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Meanwhile, make the meat sauce. Heat a little olive oil in a pan, then cook the onions until softened.
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Add the garlic, cinnamon, oregano and basil and cook for a minute longer.
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Add the ground beef and cook until browned.
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Add the tomato paste, wine and tomato juice. Simmer the sauce uncovered until it has thickned, about 30-45 minutes.
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Turn off heat, stir in parsley and season with salt and pepper to taste.
Bechamel Sauce:
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Over low heat melt the butter in a small saucepan, then stir in the flour.
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Take off heat and gradually add the milk.
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Put the pan back on the heat, turn up heat and stir until the sauce has thickened
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Turn of heat, add the parmesan cheese and nutmeg. Stir through, then add the egg yolks.
Assemble & Baking:
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Arrange the baked eggplant in a baking dish lined with baking paper.
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With a fork, squash down the inside of the eggplant without touching the boarder.
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Spoon some of the meat sauce inside each eggplant.
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Top with a few spoonful's of bechamel sauce, sprinkle some parmesan cheese on top and freshly ground pepper.
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Bake in oven 190C/375F for 30-45 minutes, until the bechamel sauce is golden and bubbling.
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Remove from oven and garnish with fresh chopped parsley.
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Enjoy with a crispy side salad or with your favourite potatoes!
