LIS'AN EL QA'THI - JUDGES' TONGUE (IRAQI STUFFED EGGPLANT)

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Lis'an El Qa'thi - Judges' Tongue (Iraqi Stuffed Eggplant) image

Amazing recipe if you love Middle Eastern cooking like me. This dish is Iraqi (in my case, Iraqi-Israeli). It wouldn't surprise me if there was a Persian variant on this dish, because it combines stuffing vegetables with spiced ground meat, and simmering it deliciously in a tasty sauce. It can be served over any type of rice, and has a lot of juice/gravy that is just delicious. It is quite easy (though there are a few steps, none are difficult). This dish is kosher, but cannot be mixed with dairy products of course. It is a powerful and tasty dish, and I suggest that everyone try it. Warning - due to the appearance, I'm not sure how much little children (who are not Middle Eastern) would like it; though if they managed to try it, they would fall in LOVE. For the perfect compliment to this already amazingly rich dish, having hummus, tahina, and hot sauce (schug), and/or amba (an Iraqi pickled mango) - any middle eastern spread/dip. My mouth is watering just thinking about it all.

Provided by Mivashel

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 1h30m

Yield 20 rolls, 6-8 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 14

2 eggplants (large, the longer the better)
2 lbs ground meat (i prefer 1lb beef, 1lb lamb)
2 onions (1 medium finely minced, 1 larger diced)
2 -3 garlic cloves (finely minced)
1 egg
2 tomatoes (large, firm)
6 ounces tomato paste (can)
14 ounces beef (can) or 14 ounces chicken stock (can)
1/2 cup lemon juice
salt
pepper
turmeric (or curry powder)
spices (any others you desire, I like CUMIN, CORIANDER, etc.)
oil (canola, vegetable, or olive)

Steps:

  • peel the eggplant, trim off the top and bottom.
  • stand eggplant up, and cut LENGTHWISE into 1/8'' thin strips.
  • sprinkle with salt, pepper, and cumin.
  • heat a very thin layer of oil on a skillet and fry the eggplant slices in batches, turning once to brown on both sides - do NOT overcook (they will cook to perfection at a later stage) - remember to add a fresh (thin) layer of oil for every batch of eggplant fried - let the eggplant slices try on paper towel.
  • in a bowl: mix together the ground meats, the medium onion and garlic (both finely minced), spices to taste (don't overkill), and beaten egg.
  • form the ground meat mixture into cylinders (sausage like rods) 1'' thick and 2'' long.
  • place a portion of the meat stuffing at one enf othe eggplant slice, and WRAP the eggplant around it - place the rolls in a baking dish.
  • Slice up one tomato, and layer on top of eggplant/meat rolls.
  • In a saucepan, heat 2 tbsp of oil and saute 1 large diced onion. When soft, add in 1 tomatoe (chopped), salt, pepper, tumeric/curry powder, and any other spices. Stir around until fragrant.
  • Add tomato paste, beef/chicken stock, and lemon juice - this is your sauce - bring to boil, then cover and let simmer/thicken for 15 minutes.
  • Once the sauce is thickened to your liking, pour it INTO the baking dish (it should cover all the rolls and reach near the top of the dish - this is good (more gravy/sauce for the rice, and ensures a nice even cooking of the meat).
  • cover with lid (or aluminum foil), and BAKE at 450 degrees for 1 hour (or until done; one hour is certainly enough).
  • take out and ENJOY an exotic taste that I am sure you will love; be proud of yourself, you made an authentic and wonderful Iraqi dish.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 545.8, Fat 48.3, SaturatedFat 19.9, Cholesterol 96.5, Sodium 261.7, Carbohydrate 20.9, Fiber 7.6, Sugar 10.2, Protein 10.2

Jayden Plaatjies
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This dish is a must-try for eggplant lovers! The eggplant was cooked to perfection and the filling was incredibly flavorful. The tangy tomato sauce was the perfect finishing touch. I highly recommend this recipe!


Ashley Farlow
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This recipe was a bit challenging, but it was definitely worth the effort! The stuffed eggplants were beautiful and delicious. The filling was flavorful and the eggplant was cooked perfectly. I'm so glad I tried this recipe.


SUNDAY VIVIAN
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This was my first time making Lisan el Qathi and it turned out great! The eggplant was cooked perfectly and the filling was delicious. The tomato sauce was a bit too acidic for my taste, but that's just a personal preference. Overall, I'm very happy


NAYON KARMAKAR
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This dish was absolutely amazing! The eggplant was tender and the filling was incredibly flavorful. The tangy tomato sauce was the perfect complement. I highly recommend this recipe!


Jamal Hussain
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I'm not a big fan of eggplant, but I thought I'd give this recipe a try. I was pleasantly surprised! The eggplant was cooked perfectly and the filling was flavorful. The tangy tomato sauce was a nice touch. I'll definitely be making this again!


Haris Jana
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This dish was a bit of a disappointment. The eggplant was undercooked and the filling was bland. The tomato sauce was also too acidic for my taste.


Kiran Malla
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The flavors in this dish were a bit too strong for my taste. The eggplant was also a bit too oily. I think I'll pass on this recipe next time.


nimco maxamad
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I found this recipe to be a bit too complicated and time-consuming. The end result was good, but I don't think it was worth all the effort. I might try a simpler recipe next time.


B Perry
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Not bad, but not amazing either. The eggplant was a bit overcooked and the filling was a bit dry. The flavors were decent, but overall it was just an average dish for me.


SOHAG HAMZA
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This dish was a delightful surprise! I wasn't sure what to expect, but the combination of flavors and textures was amazing. The eggplant was tender and the filling was savory and aromatic. Even my picky eaters loved it!


Deepak Aryal
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I'm a huge fan of Iraqi cuisine, and this Lisan el Qathi recipe did not disappoint! The eggplants were cooked to perfection and the filling was incredibly flavorful. The tangy tomato sauce added a nice touch of acidity. Highly recommend!


Santo Vai
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This dish was a labor of love, but it was so worth it! The stuffed eggplants were a showstopper at our dinner party. The flavors were rich and complex, and the presentation was stunning. Definitely a recipe to impress your guests.


Nor aiza “Enda” Barquio
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Absolutely delicious! The eggplant was perfectly tender and the filling was incredibly flavorful. The combination of spices and herbs in the filling was just right. Served it with a side of yogurt sauce and it was a perfect meal.


Rajendra Joshi
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This recipe was a bit challenging for me as a beginner cook, but I'm glad I gave it a try. The end result was impressive and delicious. The stuffed eggplants looked beautiful on the plate and the flavors were spot on. Will definitely make it again!


Amie Jallow
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Not a fan of eggplant, but I absolutely loved this dish! The stuffing was flavorful and the eggplant was cooked so well that it melted in my mouth. The tangy tomato sauce added a nice touch of acidity. Highly recommend!


Mary Jackson
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I've been looking for an authentic Lisan el Qathi recipe for ages, and this one finally delivered! The eggplant was cooked to perfection, and the filling was packed with flavor. The tangy tomato sauce brought it all together perfectly. Will definitel


Anil Magar
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Lisan el Qathi is a dish that requires a bit of patience and attention to detail, but the result is definitely worth the effort. The flavors are complex and delicious, and the presentation is stunning. I served it at a dinner party and received rave


Oudh Alkhaleej
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First time making Lisan el Qathi and it turned out surprisingly well! The stuffed eggplants were a hit at our dinner party. The combination of tangy tomato sauce and the aromatic filling was just perfect. Highly recommend this recipe!


Lonjey Condes
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This Iraqi stuffed eggplant dish, Lisan el Qathi, was a delightful journey of Middle Eastern flavors! The tender eggplant embraced a savory filling of spiced ground beef, rice, and nuts. Each bite revealed a harmonious blend of textures and aromas. A