Sheik El Mahshi Lamb Stuffed In Aubergines Casserole Recipes

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Make the filling: Heat the olive oil in a heavy-based pan, add the onions, garlic and chillies and cook, stirring often, until fragrant. Add the sugar, currants and pine nuts, and fry until the onions are golden. Stir in the ground spices, season, turn off the heat and leave to cool.
• Tip the lamb into a bowl. Add the cooled onion and spice mixture, then the coriander, and season. Using your hands, knead the ingredients together until they are well mixed, then set aside.
• Cut the aubergines in half, keeping the stalk intact. Heat a thin layer of vegetable oil in the heavy-based pan. Fry the aubergines until they are soft and golden brown all over, about 6-8 mins. Remove with a slotted spoon and place them side-by-side in a baking dish. Using a sharp knife, slit each one lengthways down the middle to form a pocket - don't cut through the ends or the base. Stuff the lamb filling into each one and place 2-3 slices tomato on top of each one. You can prepare the stuffed aubergines to this stage and chill before cooking, up to a day ahead.
• Drizzle a little olive oil over the top, cover the dish with foil and bake for about 40 mins, or until cooked through. Remove from oven and discard foil. Cook again, uncovered, for 10 mins until the tomato has lightly caramelised. To serve, sprinkle a little chopped coriander over the top and squeeze over lemon slices.

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/ gas 6. Place the aubergine halves on a large baking tray or two smaller ones. Drizzle over 2 tbsp of the oil and season the aubergines well. Cover with foil then roast the aubergines for 50 mins until tender.
• Meanwhile, make the lamb stuffing. Heat the remaining oil in a frying pan over a high heat. Add the lamb, breaking down the meat with the back of a wooden spoon. Fry for 5-6 mins or until most of the liquid has evaporated and the mince has started to brown.
• Add the onion and spices and cook for another 5 mins until the meat is completely brown and has become caramelised and sticky. Add the sultanas, pine nuts and parsley, season to taste, then set aside.
• Carefully scoop most of the flesh out of the aubergines and add it to the lamb, then refill each aubergine with the mixture. Return to the oven for 8-10 mins, until piping hot. Serve with a green salad.

Steps:

• Preheat oven to gas mark 6/400F/200°C.
• Wipe clean the aubergines and leave the neck on.
• Heat some butter or oil in a frying pan and fry the aubergines until lightly browned on all sides then lift out and set aside.
• To prepare the stuffing:.
• Heat the butter in the same pan, add in the onions and fry them till brown.
• Add the minced meat, season with the spices and salt and pepper and give it a good mix.
• Fry the meat for about 10 minutes and then add in the pine nuts and remove from heat.
• Split each aubergine lengthwise from one side.
• Stuff the pockets with the meat mixture and place them in an oven proof baking dish.
• Sprinkle any remaining stuffing over the aubergines.
• To prepare the sauce, heat water in a separate pot and add in the tomato paste and bring it to a boil and season with salt and both peppers.
• Now carefully (do not want to upset the stuffing!) pour the sauce over the stuffed aubergines.
• Top each aubergine with a slice of tomato.
• Place the baking dish in the centre shelf of the pre-heated oven and bake for 25-30 minutes.
• Remove from oven and serve hot with rice.