Unveil the magic of the Mediterranean cuisine with our enticing Stuffed Eggplant Karniyarik. Delight in every bite of this traditional dish bursting with flavor
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Savor my Mediterranean Stuffed Eggplant Karniyarik recipe—a delightful dish featuring creamy eggplants filled with nutritious, fresh ingredients. Enjoy the harmonious blend of tender ground beef and lamb, mixed with finely chopped onions, garlic, and sweet ripe tomatoes, all nestled within a sweet, roasted eggplant. Each bite promises a burst of flavor, making it a standout stuffed eggplant dish.
Our Stuffed Eggplant Karniyarik is both light and filling, an ideal choice for a wholesome dinner. As the smell fills your kitchen and the rich Mediterranean spices come to life, everyone will want more. Try traditional cooking with the deep, layered flavors of Karniyarik.
A Deep Dive into Karniyarik
Karniyarik is a traditional dish from the Middle East. This Stuffed Eggplant Karniyarik is the epitome of the region’s abundant use of fresh vegetables, fragrant spices, and savory meats. Originating from Turkey, the name Karniyarik – translating to ‘split belly’ – offers a playful hint to the cooking process. The dish features an eggplant that’s roasted to creamy perfection. Split open to create a ‘belly’ ready to be stuffed. Whether savored at a traditional Middle Eastern restaurant or recreated in your home kitchen, Karniyarik connects us to the heart of Mediterranean culinary tradition.
Salting the Eggplant: The Key to Perfect Karniyarik
In the Stuffed Eggplant Karniyarik, achieving the perfect texture lies in the crucial to salt the eggplant. This simple step works wonders in drawing out the excess moisture, ensuring ultimate tenderness in your Karniyarik. Generously sprinkle kosher salt over the peeled eggplant and let it sit for 30 minutes. After the resting time, rinse off the salt and pat the eggplant dry. Now primed and ready, your eggplant is set to become the smooth, delicious heart of your Karniyarik dish
Choosing Your Karniyarik Meat
The choice of meat can significantly shape your Stuffed Eggplant Karniyarik’s flavor profile. My personal preference is a balanced mix of ground beef and lamb, offering a delightful medley of rich flavors that complement the eggplant. However, Karniyarik is a versatile dish. If lamb feels too gamey or ground beef too fatty, you can easily substitute with leaner meats like chicken or turkey. The key is aligning your choice with your personal taste.
The Magic of Baharat in Karniyarik
Baharat, an aromatic spice blend, is a key ingredient in many Middle Eastern dishes, including our Stuffed Eggplant Karniyarik. Baharat, literally translating to ‘spices’ in Arabic, is an all-purpose blend that provides a unique and inviting flavor. If you don’t have Baharat on hand, you can substitute it by equal parts of paprika, cumin, and cinnamon to recreate the rich, warming characteristics in your Karniyarik.
Perfect Pairings with Stuffed Eggplant Karniyarik
Unlock a world of flavors by pairing your Stuffed Eggplant Karniyarik with the elegant Rice Vermicelli. crank up the flavor with the spiced Yemeni Basmati Rice. If you’re craving a zesty twist, Greek Lemon Rice offers refreshing tang, and for the bold, Lebanese Hashweh Rice promises to make your Karniyarik meal an epic adventure.
Preparation
Preheat the oven to 400F and drizzle the eggplants with olive oil. Roast for about 25 minutes until soft, then set aside to cool.
Add the ground lamb and beef and break the meat using a wooden spoon. Cook for 5 minutes
Add the spices, bay leaves, Aleppo pepper, cumin, coriander, baharat, chopped jalapeno, and garlic. Mix well and lower the heat to medium. Cook for another 5 minutes, then season with salt and black pepper. Transfer to a bowl and set aside.
Add the remaining chopped garlic, and sauté for another 2 minutes. Add the chopped tomatoes, the cubed eggplant, salt, black pepper, red pepper paste, and dry thyme. Cook for 5 minutes.
Use a hand blender to blend the tomato mixture in the pot until you reach the desired texture.
Cover and cook in the preheated oven at 400F for 30 minutes.
Ingredients:
Adjust Servings
4 large eggplants | |
Kosher salt to sprinkle | |
2 tablespoons olive oil |
For the Meat Mixture
1 lb ground lamb | |
1 lb ground beef | |
1 onion, chopped | |
5 cloves of garlic, chopped | |
1 jalapeno pepper, chopped | |
1 tablespoon cumin | |
1 tablespoon coriander | |
1.5 tablespoons baharat | |
1 tablespoon Aleppo pepper | |
2 bay leaves | |
1 tablespoon black pepper | |
Salt to taste |
For the Tomato Sauce:
1 onion, chopped | |
5 cloves of garlic, chopped | |
8 large tomatoes, chopped into small chunks | |
4 tablespoons tomato paste, mixed with 1 cup of warm water | |
2 tablespoons red pepper paste | |
1 tablespoon dry thyme | |
1 tablespoon black pepper | |
Salt to taste | |
2 tablespoons olive oil |
Garnish:
1/2 cup of chopped parsley |
Preparation
Recipe Tips & Suggestions
Storage Instructions:
Reheating Instructions:
Rana’s Notes!
Nutrition Information
The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice.
See our full nutrition disclosure here.
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