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Imam bayildi

Aubergine halves stuffed with tomato, onion and peppers, baked in olive oil

A classic Turkish dish whose name means 'the imam fainted', supposedly with delight. Aubergine shells are fried in olive oil and filled with their own flesh cooked with tomatoes, onion, red and green peppers, garlic and herbs, then baked until meltingly tender. Finished with lemon and parsley; good hot or cold with bread, salad and creamy garlic dip.
Total time
80 min
Difficulty
medium
Serves
4
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Ingredients

Serves4

For the filling

For the seasoning

To garnish

Method

0/9 done
  1. Step 1: Scoop out the flesh from 2 aubergines with a spoon, leaving shells about 1 cm thick. Chop the flesh.

  2. Step 2: Sprinkle the shells and flesh with 1 tsp salt and leave in a colander for 20 minutes. Rinse and pat dry. Keep the shells aside.

    20 min
  3. Step 3: Heat 4 tbsp olive oil in a frying pan and shallow-fry the shells on both sides until lightly browned. Drain and place in a baking dish.

    6 min
  4. Step 4: Heat the oven to 375°F. In the same pan heat 2 tbsp olive oil, add 1 onion, 1 tsp garlic paste, 1 red capsicum (bell pepper) and 1 green capsicum (bell pepper) and cook for 5 minutes.

    5 min
  5. Step 5: Add 6 tomatoes, 2 tbsp fresh parsley, 1 tsp fresh coriander and the chopped aubergine flesh and cook for 5 minutes.

    5 min
  6. Step 6: Add 1 tsp ground coriander, 1 tbsp lemon juice, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp sugar and ¼ tsp black pepper, mix well and cook for 2 minutes.

    2 min
  7. Step 7: Pile the filling into the aubergine shells.

  8. Step 8: Bake for 30 minutes until the aubergines are tender.

    30 min
  9. Step 9: Place half an aubergine on each plate, sprinkle with 2 tbsp lemon juice and garnish with 2 tbsp fresh parsley. Serve hot or cold with bread, salad and creamy garlic dip.

Nutrition per serving

Calories
230 kcal
Protein
4 g
Carbs
20 g
Fat
16 g
Fibre
8 g

Nutrition values are estimates.

K
Recipe by

KrazyBadal

All recipes by this chef →

Good to know

How long does imam bayildi take?
About 80 minutes in total: 35 minutes to prepare and 45 minutes to cook.
How many people does it serve?
4 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
Is it vegan?
Yes. It has no meat, fish, dairy or eggs.
Is it gluten free?
Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
What can I use instead of onion?
2 shallots per onion.
What can I use instead of garlic paste?
1 crushed garlic clove per ½ tsp.

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