Best 9 Lamb And Eggplant Pide Recipes

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Lamb and eggplant pide is a hearty and flavorful Middle Eastern dish that combines the savory taste of lamb with the tender texture of eggplant, all wrapped in a crispy bread crust. This dish is perfect for a main course or as a shareable appetizer. Whether you're looking for a new weeknight dinner option or a delightful party dish, lamb and eggplant pide is sure to satisfy your taste buds.

Check out the recipes below so you can choose the best recipe for yourself!

MAMA'S OH-SO-SAVORY LAMB AND EGGPLANT CASSEROLE



Mama's Oh-So-Savory Lamb and Eggplant Casserole image

The basis of this recipe came from my 4th grade teacher's mother who was Armenian, and I've been making it for over 50 years. It is easy to put together, but the longer the stovetop step simmers, the better the casserole will be when served. Leftovers are yummy! You could serve this over rice, if you like, with a green salad. I just serve it in pasta bowls with crusty bread, butter, and a nice glass of red wine. Enjoy!

Provided by MAMA2EANDJ

Categories     Meat and Poultry Recipes     Lamb     Ground

Time 2h35m

Yield 4

Number Of Ingredients 18

1 (1 pound) eggplant, cut into 1-inch cubes
salt
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large sweet onion, coarsely chopped
2 large stalks celery, sliced
½ teaspoon ground cumin
2 pinches dried oregano
2 pinches ground dried rosemary
2 pinches paprika
⅛ teaspoon dried mint
1 pinch salt and ground black pepper to taste
1 ½ teaspoons garlic, minced
3 tomatoes, coarsely chopped
1 cup chicken broth
1 (15 ounce) can tomato sauce
1 pound ground lamb
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 lemon, juiced, or to taste

Steps:

  • Place eggplant in a colander set in a bowl or the sink; sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt and toss to coat. Let eggplant stand for at least 1 hour. Rinse off the bitter liquid and excess salt and drain well.
  • Heat 1 tablespoon olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Stir in onion and celery; cook and stir until onion has softened and turned translucent and celery is fragrant, about 5 minutes.
  • While vegetables are cooking, combine ground cumin, oregano, rosemary, paprika, mint, salt, and black pepper in a small bowl or mortar and pestle and mix well; this is the lamb seasoning (see Cook's Note). Set seasoning aside.
  • Stir eggplant cubes and garlic into the vegetables in the skillet, mixing well, and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Add chopped tomatoes and sprinkle with half of the lamb seasoning mixture. Reserve remaining seasoning. Stir gently and cook for 5 minutes more.
  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Grease a 2-quart casserole dish.
  • Pour chicken broth and half the can of tomato sauce into the skillet and simmer for 10 minutes; add a little water if the sauce starts to get dry. Transfer the sauce to the prepared casserole dish.
  • Return the skillet to the stove over medium-high heat and heat the reserved tablespoon of olive oil over medium heat. Place ground lamb into skillet and sprinkle with remaining seasoning mixture. Brown lamb in the hot oil, stirring frequently, until the meat is evenly browned; it should look like imperfect meatballs.
  • Gently transfer the lamb to the casserole dish, pushing it down into the vegetable mixture so that it is at least partially submerged. Stir fresh lemon juice into the remaining tomato sauce and pour the sauce over the casserole.
  • Bake uncovered for 45 minutes to 1 hour, depending upon how tender you like your vegetables.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 384.6 calories, Carbohydrate 22.6 g, Cholesterol 77.2 mg, Fat 23.2 g, Fiber 8.4 g, Protein 24 g, SaturatedFat 7.5 g, Sodium 1471.2 mg, Sugar 12.2 g

LAMB AND EGGPLANT PIDE



Lamb and Eggplant Pide image

Sometimes referred to as Turkish pizza, pide (pronounced pea-DAY) is made with a simple yeast dough. You can make your own dough, or use two 8-ounce balls of store-bought pizza dough, if you like. Spiced ground lamb is a typical Turkish topping, but we use some diced eggplant and a bit of yogurt and mint as a nod to moussaka. Adding an egg to the yogurt thickens it, so when it's cooked it becomes an almost-cheesy layer between the meat and dough. If you can't find ground lamb, you can substitute ground beef, and for a vegetarian version, omit the meat and double up on the eggplant.

Provided by Jessica Battilana

Categories     dinner, lunch, snack, breads, appetizer, main course, side dish

Time 1h15m

Yield 12 pide or 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 23

3/4 cup/180 milliliters warm water
1 tablespoon granulated sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons active dry yeast
2 1/4 cups/290 grams all-purpose flour, plus more for rolling
1 1/2 teaspoons kosher salt
2 tablespoons olive oil
3 tablespoons olive oil
1 small onion, diced
1 small eggplant (8 ounces/225 grams), diced
Kosher salt
2 tablespoons tomato paste
1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/4 teaspoon red-pepper flakes
1/8 teaspoon ground allspice
1/2 pound/225 grams ground lamb
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup/15 grams fresh mint, finely chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil, for brushing the pans and the pides
1/2 cup/120 milliliters plain full-fat yogurt
1 large egg
Kosher salt and black pepper

Steps:

  • Make the dough: In the bowl of stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment (or in a large bowl with a wooden spoon) combine the water and sugar. Sprinkle the yeast on top and let stand 5 minutes until foamy. With the mixer on low speed, add the flour, salt and olive oil and mix until combined. Increase the speed to medium, and mix until the dough comes together as a smooth ball. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let stand in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
  • While the dough is rising, make the filling: Heat the olive oil in a large (12-inch) skillet over medium. Add the onion and eggplant and several pinches of salt, and cook, stirring frequently, until softened and beginning to brown, 8 to 10 minutes. Stir in the tomato paste, cumin, black pepper, cinnamon, red-pepper flakes and allspice and cook for 1 minute. Add the lamb, increase the heat to high and cook, breaking up the chunks of meat with a wooden spoon, until the meat is barely pink, 5 to 6 minutes. Stir in the garlic and cook 1 minute more, stirring constantly (or removing from the heat as necessary) to keep the garlic from scorching. Let cool slightly, then stir in the mint. Season to taste with more salt.
  • Arrange the racks in the top and bottom third of the oven, and heat oven to 400 degrees. Lightly grease 2 rimmed baking sheets. In a small bowl, whisk together the yogurt and egg, and season with salt and pepper. Set aside. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured work surface and divide into 12 pieces, each about 1 1/2 ounces/45 grams. With a floured rolling pin, roll each piece of dough into an even oval measuring about 6-by-4 inches/15-by-10 centimeters. Working with one piece of dough at a time, spoon a scant tablespoon of the yogurt mixture into the center of the oval, then use the back of the spoon to spread it in a thin layer, leaving a 1/2-inch border. Spoon some of the lamb mixture on top of the yogurt and spread in an even layer. Fold the edges of the dough up and pinch the ends so the pide resembles a canoe. With a large spatula (or the bottom of a removable bottom tart pan) transfer the pide to the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining dough, yogurt and lamb.
  • Brush each pide with some of the remaining 1 tablespoon olive oil. Bake until the dough is deep brown, 18 to 23 minutes, rotating the pans and switching oven racks halfway through baking. Transfer to a wire rack and let cool. Eat warm or at room temperature.

EGGPLANT AND LAMB STEW



Eggplant and Lamb Stew image

The Arabic name (which I can't remember) means 'It cooks itself.' Most Middle Eastern food is time-consuming to make; this name implies that the cook is embarrassed to serve something so simple. Best served over rice.

Provided by KELLYJEANNE

Categories     Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes     Stews

Time 2h15m

Yield 6

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 tablespoons butter
1 ½ pounds lamb shoulder
2 large eggplants, peeled and chopped
2 large tomatoes, chopped
2 large onions, chopped
2 green bell peppers, chopped
10 cloves garlic, chopped
1 tablespoon tomato paste
½ cup water
1 teaspoon allspice
2 teaspoons salt
1 teaspoon ground black pepper

Steps:

  • In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat, and brown the lamb on all sides. Mix in the eggplants, tomatoes, onions, green bell peppers, and garlic. Cook and stir until tender and lightly browned.
  • In a small bowl, blend the tomato paste and water. Mix into the pot with the lamb. Season lamb with allspice, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat, and simmer about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the meat shreds easily with a fork. Add a little water as necessary to keep the ingredients moist.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 291.9 calories, Carbohydrate 20.8 g, Cholesterol 68.2 mg, Fat 16.2 g, Fiber 8.4 g, Protein 18.2 g, SaturatedFat 7.4 g, Sodium 871.3 mg, Sugar 8.6 g

LAMB AND EGGPLANT SHEPHERD'S PIE



Lamb and Eggplant Shepherd's Pie image

This Greek-inspired shepherd's pie is made with lamb, eggplant, and oregano. The mashed potato topping gets its Greek flavor from kasseri cheese, a hard, salty cheese. If you can't find kasseri cheese, use Pecorino Romano instead. Finish the dish with a sprinkling of chopped fresh oregano, if desired.

Provided by Jeanne Thiel Kelley

Categories     Cheese     Lamb     Onion     Potato     Bake     High Fiber     Dinner     Eggplant     Winter     Simmer     Boil     Bon Appétit     Peanut Free     Tree Nut Free     Soy Free

Yield Makes 8 to 10 servings

Number Of Ingredients 19

Filling:
1 1 1/2-pound eggplant, unpeeled, cut into 3/4-to 1-inch cubes
Coarse kosher salt
7 tablespoons (or more) extra-virgin olive oil, divided
2 pounds well-trimmed boneless lamb shoulder, cut into 1-inch cubes
All purpose flour
3 cups chopped onions
1 cup dry white wine
1 28-ounce can diced tomatoes in juice
3 cups beef broth (preferably organic)
8 garlic cloves, chopped
1 tablespoon dried oregano
Topping:
2 1/2 pounds russet potatoes, peeled, cut into 1-inch cubes
2 tablespoons (1/4 stick) butter
2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 garlic cloves, minced
3/4 cup whole milk
1 1/4 cups (packed) coarsely grated kasseri cheese* (5 to 6 ounces)

Steps:

  • For filling:
  • Scatter eggplant on rimmed baking sheet. Sprinkle with coarse salt; let stand 1 hour, tossing occasionally. Rinse eggplant and pat very dry.
  • Heat 3 tablespoons oil in heavy large pot over medium-high heat. Add eggplant and sauté until tender, about 12 minutes. Transfer to medium bowl.
  • Sprinkle lamb generously with coarse salt and pepper, then dust with flour to coat. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in same pot over medium-high heat. Add half of lamb. Sauté until browned, about 8 minutes. Transfer lamb to large bowl. Repeat with 2 tablespoons oil and remaining lamb.
  • Add 1 additional tablespoon oil to same pot, if needed. Add onions. Cover and cook over medium-low heat until very tender, about 10 minutes (bottom of pot will be very dark). Add wine to pot. Increase heat and boil until wine evaporates, scraping up browned bits, about 5 minutes. Add tomatoes with juice, broth, garlic, and oregano and bring to boil. Add lamb with any accumulated juices. Cover; reduce heat to low and simmer 1 hour. Uncover and continue to simmer until lamb is very tender and gravy thickens slightly, about 45 minutes. Stir in eggplant. Season with salt and pepper. Transfer to 13x9x2-inch glass baking dish. DO AHEAD: Can be made 3 days ahead. Cool slightly. Cover and chill.
  • For topping:
  • Preheat oven to 375°F. Cook potatoes in large pot of boiling salted water until tender, about 14 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, melt butter with oil in medium saucepan over medium-high heat. Add garlic. Sauté until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add milk and bring to simmer.
  • Drain potatoes. Return to pot. Stir over medium heat until excess moisture evaporates. Add milk mixture and mash potatoes until just smooth. Stir in cheese. Season with coarse salt and pepper. Drop potatoes over filling by heaping tablespoonfuls, covering completely.
  • Bake pie until filling is heated through and topping is golden, about 45 minutes.

EGGPLANT WITH LAMB AND PINE NUTS



Eggplant With Lamb and Pine Nuts image

A recipe from Jeff Smith. Rounds of eggplant topped with lamb in a flavorful sauce. You could serve this as a light main course, a side or even as an appetizer!

Provided by LifeIsGood

Categories     Lamb/Sheep

Time 50m

Yield 4-6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 lb ground lean lamb
1 medium yellow onion, peeled and chopped
2 garlic cloves, crushed
4 tablespoons olive oil
salt and pepper, to taste
1/2 cup tomato sauce, canned
1/4 cup red wine
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon allspice
3 tablespoons pine nuts (you might want to add more for personal taste)
1 large eggplant

Steps:

  • Brown the lamb, onion and garlic in the oil, in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Once the meat is browned, add the salt, pepper, tomato sauce, red wine, cinnamon, allspice and pine nuts. Cook for about 15 minutes while the sauce reduces a little.
  • Cut the eggplant into 1/2 inch slices. Lightly brown them in a separate skillet with just a touch of olive oil. Turn and brown the other sides. Do not overcook, just brown them.
  • Place the eggplant slices on a baking sheet and spread some of the filling on each.
  • Bake in a 375 degree F. oven for about 15-20 minutes, or until it is all hot and the eggplant is tender.

MAUREEN ABOOD'S EGGPLANT WITH LAMB, TOMATO AND PINE NUTS



Maureen Abood's Eggplant With Lamb, Tomato and Pine Nuts image

With its layers of golden eggplant, cinnamon-scented lamb, and sweet tomato sauce topped with melted cheese, this traditional Lebanese dish is made for celebratory meals and gatherings. Even better, it's just as good served warm or room temperature as it is hot from the oven. It also reheats well, meaning that you can bake it the day before, and reheat it before serving if you like. Pull it out of the refrigerator, let it come to room temperature for an hour, then reheat it covered for about 40 minutes at 350 degrees.

Provided by Melissa Clark

Categories     dinner, lunch, casseroles, main course

Time 2h

Yield 8 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 large firm eggplants, cut into 1/2-inch slices
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons kosher salt, more as needed
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 pound ground lamb or beef (80 percent lean)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Black pepper
1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/2 cup pine nuts
1 (28-ounce) can tomato sauce, or 31/2 cups homemade sauce (see recipe)
12 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced

Steps:

  • Heat broiler and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment.
  • Brush both sides of eggplant slices with 2 tablespoons olive oil and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt. Arrange slices on prepared baking sheet and broil in batches until they are deep mahogany brown, turning once halfway through, 5 to 7 minutes per side.
  • Adjust the oven to 375 degrees with rack positioned in the center.
  • In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the remaining olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until translucent, but not browned, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add ground lamb or beef, stirring frequently and breaking up meat into very small pieces with the side of a metal spoon. Season with remaining teaspoon salt, cinnamon and pepper. Sauté until meat is just cooked through. Taste and add more salt or pepper, or both, as needed.
  • In a medium skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add pine nuts and reduce heat to medium-low. Stir nuts to coat them with butter and continue stirring constantly until nuts are golden brown, 2 to 4 minutes. Keep a close watch over the nuts; they can burn quickly once they begin to brown. Transfer nuts to a bowl while still warm and salt them lightly.
  • Coat a 13-by-9-by-2-inch baking dish with remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Spread 1/2 cup of tomato sauce in the bottom of the dish. Lay 1/3 of the eggplant slices in a single layer over the sauce, covering as much surface area of the bottom of the dish as possible. Spoon half the meat evenly over eggplant. Pour 1/3 of the remaining tomato sauce evenly over meat. Sprinkle with 1/3 of the pine nuts. Layer again with eggplant, meat, tomato sauce and pine nuts. Finish with a layer of eggplant and cover with more tomato sauce, sprinkling top with pine nuts.
  • Pour 1 cup warm water around the perimeter of the baking dish. (Sauce will thicken as it bakes.) Cover pan with foil and bake for 90 minutes. Remove foil and top eggplant evenly with mozzarella. Bake for 15 minutes longer, uncovered, or until the cheese is bubbling and golden. Serve eggplant warm, over rice.

Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 478, UnsaturatedFat 20 grams, Carbohydrate 18 grams, Fat 37 grams, Fiber 7 grams, Protein 23 grams, SaturatedFat 13 grams, Sodium 854 milligrams, Sugar 10 grams, TransFat 0 grams

MOROCCAN LAMB AND EGGPLANT MATZO PIE WITH SPICY TOMATO SAUCE



Moroccan Lamb and Eggplant Matzo Pie with Spicy Tomato Sauce image

Categories     Lamb     Tomato     Bake     Sauté     Passover     Mint     Spice     Eggplant     Spring     Kosher     Cinnamon     Gourmet

Yield Makes 8 main-course servings

Number Of Ingredients 15

8 tablespoons olive oil plus additional for brushing on matzo
1 medium onion, finely chopped
1 1/2 pounds ground lamb
3 garlic cloves, finely chopped
2 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons ras-el-hanout (Moroccan spice blend)*
1 teaspoon dried oregano, crumbled
1 teaspoon dried mint, crumbled
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon cinnamon
2 (28- to 32-ounce) cans whole tomatoes in juice, chopped (6 cups), reserving juice
2 pound eggplant, peeled and cut crosswise into 1/3-inch slices
6 matzos (about 6 inches square)
1/4 teaspoon cayenne
3/4 teaspoon sugar

Steps:

  • Make lamb filling:
  • Heat 3 tablespoons oil in a 12-inch heavy skillet (2 inches deep) over moderately high heat until hot but not smoking, then sauté onion, stirring occasionally, until golden, about 5 minutes. Add lamb and sauté, stirring and breaking up lumps, until no longer pink, about 5 minutes. Add two thirds of garlic, 1 1/2 teaspoons salt, and 1 teaspoon ras-el-hanout with oregano, mint, pepper, and cinnamon, then sauté, stirring, 1 minute.
  • Stir in 4 cups tomatoes with some of juice (reserving remaining tomatoes and juice for sauce) and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, 10 to 12 minutes.
  • Roast eggplant and assemble pie:
  • Preheat broiler.
  • Toss eggplant slices with 4 tablespoons oil and 1/2 teaspoon salt in a bowl. Brush a large shallow baking pan (1/2 to 1 inch deep) generously with oil and arrange as many slices as possible in 1 layer. Broil, in batches if necessary, 5 to 7 inches from heat, turning slices over as they brown (about halfway through broiling), until tender, 12 to 15 minutes total.
  • Put oven rack in middle position and preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Soak matzos, 1 or 2 at a time, in a pan of warm water until matzos are slightly softened but still hold their shape, 1 to 1 1/2 minutes. Let excess water drip off and transfer matzos to paper towels or kitchen towels to drain.
  • Arrange 2 matzos side by side in a generously oiled 13- by 9- by 2-inch (3-quart) baking dish to nearly cover bottom. Spread 3 cups lamb filling over matzos in pan. Arrange 2 matzos side by side on top, then spread remaining filling over them. Arrange eggplant slices in 1 layer over filling (overlapping slices slightly if necessary), then arrange remaining 2 matzos on top and brush with oil. Bake, covered with foil, 20 minutes, then remove foil and continue to bake until filling is hot, about 10 minutes more.
  • Make tomato sauce while pie bakes:
  • Purée remaining 2 cups chopped tomatoes with juice in a blender. Heat remaining tablespoon oil in a 10- to 12-inch skillet over moderate heat, then cook cayenne, remaining garlic, and remaining 1/2 teaspoon each ras-el-hanout and salt, stirring, until garlic is golden, about 1 minute. Add tomato purée and sugar and simmer, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until slightly thickened, 4 to 6 minutes.
  • *Available at specialty foods shops and Kalustyan's (800-352-3451).

EGGPLANT AND LAMB AL FORNO



Eggplant and Lamb al Forno image

This Mediterranean dish, layering eggplant and lamb, is a baked feast for cooler weather days.

Provided by Martha Stewart

Categories     Food & Cooking     Ingredients     Meat & Poultry     Lamb Recipes

Number Of Ingredients 12

Salt and freshly ground black pepper
2 medium eggplants, (about 1 1/2 pounds total), ends trimmed, cut into six 1/4-inch-thick rounds each
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 medium onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice
1 teaspoon dried oregano
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 1/4 pounds ground lamb
1 can (28-ounce) whole peeled plum tomatoes, drained
2 teaspoons coarsely chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1 tablespoon dry breadcrumbs

Steps:

  • Preheat oven to 375 degrees. Salt eggplant well, arrange in colanders, and place weighted bowls on top. Let drain for 30 minutes. Rinse and dry.
  • Heat oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add onion, 1 teaspoon salt, and 3/4 teaspoon black pepper; cook until tender, 7 to 10 minutes. Add oregano, cinnamon, cumin, and cayenne; cook 2 minutes more. Add lamb, and cook until it browns, about 5 minutes. Drain fat from pan. Break up tomatoes, and add to pan. Cook over medium heat, stirring often, until sauce starts to thicken, about 8 minutes.
  • Place 4 eggplant slices in an 8-inch square baking pan, and top with a third of the sauce. Repeat twice, making 4 3-layer stacks. Combine 1 teaspoon parsley and breadcrumbs; sprinkle over the top.
  • Cover with foil, and bake for 1 hour. Remove foil, and bake for 10 to 15 minutes more. Sprinkle with remaining parsley; serve hot.

EGGPLANT WITH LAMB, TOMATO AND PINE NUTS RECIPE - (4/5)



Eggplant With Lamb, Tomato and Pine Nuts Recipe - (4/5) image

Provided by á-167595

Number Of Ingredients 12

2 large firm eggplants, cut into 1/2-inch slices
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
2 teaspoons kosher salt, more as needed
1 medium yellow onion, finely diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
1 pound ground lamb or beef (80 percent lean)
1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Black pepper
1/2 tablespoon unsalted butter
1/2 cup pine nuts
1 (28-ounce) can tomato sauce, or 31/2 cups homemade sauce (see recipe)
12 ounces fresh mozzarella, sliced

Steps:

  • Step 1Heat broiler and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment. Step 2Brush both sides of eggplant slices with 2 tablespoons olive oil and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt. Arrange slices on prepared baking sheet and broil in batches until they are deep mahogany brown, turning once halfway through, 5 to 7 minutes per side. Step 3Adjust the oven to 375 degrees with rack positioned in the center. Step 4In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the remaining olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until translucent, but not browned, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add ground lamb or beef, stirring frequently and breaking up meat into very small pieces with the side of a metal spoon. Season with remaining teaspoon salt, cinnamon and pepper. Sauté until meat is just cooked through. Taste and add more salt or pepper, or both, as needed. Step 5In a medium skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add pine nuts and reduce heat to medium-low. Stir nuts to coat them with butter and continue stirring constantly until nuts are golden brown, 2 to 4 minutes. Keep a close watch over the nuts; they can burn quickly once they begin to brown. Transfer nuts to a bowl while still warm and salt Step 6Coat a 13-by-9-by-2-inch baking dish with remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Spread 1/2 cup of tomato sauce in the bottom of the dish. Lay 1/3 of the eggplant slices in a single layer over the sauce, covering as much surface area of the bottom of the dish as possible. Spoon half the meat evenly over eggplant. Pour 1/3 of the remaining tomato sauce evenly over meat. Sprinkle with 1/3 of the pine nuts. Layer again with eggplant, meat, tomato sauce and pine nuts. Finish with a layer of eggplant and cover with more tomato sauce, sprinkling top with pine nuts. Step 7Pour 1 cup warm water around the perimeter of the baking dish. (Sauce will thicken as it bakes.) Cover pan with foil and bake for 90 minutes. Remove foil and top eggplant evenly with mozzarella. Bake for 15 minutes longer, uncovered, or until the cheese is bubbling and golden. Serve eggplant warm, over rice.

Tips:

  • To make the dough, use a stand mixer or food processor to combine the flour, salt, sugar, yeast, and warm water. Knead the dough for 5-7 minutes, or until it is smooth and elastic. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
  • While the dough is rising, prepare the filling. Sauté the onions, garlic, and eggplant in olive oil until the vegetables are softened. Add the lamb, cumin, turmeric, paprika, and salt and pepper to taste. Cook the lamb mixture for 15-20 minutes, or until the lamb is cooked through.
  • To assemble the pide, divide the dough into 8 equal pieces. Roll out each piece of dough into a 12-inch circle. Place the dough circles on a greased baking sheet.
  • Spread the lamb filling evenly over the dough circles. Top with the sliced tomatoes, bell peppers, and feta cheese. Drizzle the pide with olive oil and sprinkle with za'atar seasoning.
  • Bake the pide for 20-25 minutes, or until the crust is golden brown and the cheese is melted and bubbly.
  • Serve the pide hot with a side of yogurt sauce.

Conclusion:

Lamb and eggplant pide is a delicious and satisfying meal that is perfect for a weeknight dinner or a casual get-together. The pide is easy to make and can be tailored to your own taste preferences. For a vegetarian version, simply omit the lamb and add more vegetables to the filling. You can also experiment with different types of cheese, such as mozzarella or cheddar. No matter how you make it, lamb and eggplant pide is sure to be a hit with your family and friends.

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