A creative kebab recipe featuring spiced ground meat rolled inside roasted eggplant slices, baked in a zesty tomato-pepper sauce.
Servings 4people
Course Main Course
Cuisine Turkish
Ingredients
For the Eggplant Wrap
3largeEggplants (long and straight)
3tbspVegetable oil
1tspPaprika (or Red pepper powder)
For the Meat Filling
12ozLean ground beef or lamb (approx. 350g)
2ozLamb tail fat (Optional, finely chopped)
1smallOnion (finely grated)
1smallGreen bell pepper (finely chopped)
2clovesGarlic (minced)
½bunchFresh parsley (finely chopped)
1tspRed pepper flakes
1tspBlack pepper
1tspKosher salt (or to taste)
For the Sauce & Serving
2cupsWater
1tbspRed pepper paste (Biber salçası)
½tbspTomato paste
2tbspVegetable oil
Serving: Garlic yogurt and sizzling butter with red pepper flakes
Equipment
Mandoline or Sharp Chef’s Knife: For those essential thin eggplant slices.
Wooden or Metal Skewers: To keep your rolls perfectly aligned in the oven.
Large Rectangular Baking Dish: For roasting and saucing.
Pastry Brush: To evenly coat the eggplants with paprika-infused oil.
Method
Slice the eggplants lengthwise into thin strips. Soak them in salted water for 15 minutes to remove bitterness, then pat dry.
Mix 3 tbsp oil with 1 tsp red pepper powder. Brush the eggplant slices with this mixture and arrange them on a baking tray. Bake at 200°C (400°F) until soft (about 10–12 minutes).
In a large bowl, combine the ground meat, tail fat, onion, pepper, garlic, parsley, and spices. Knead thoroughly until the mixture is cohesive.
Take a roasted eggplant slice, place a portion of the meat mixture at one end, and spread it slightly.
Roll the eggplant tightly around the meat.
Thread the rolls onto wooden skewers (3–4 per skewer) and place them in a baking dish.
Whisk together the water, tomato/pepper pastes, and oil. Pour this sauce over the skewered rolls in the dish.
Bake at 200°C (400°F) for 20–25 minutes until the meat is cooked and the tops are golden brown.
Spread a layer of garlic yogurt on a plate. Place the skewers on top, and finish with a drizzle of hot butter melted with red pepper flakes.
Slice the eggplants lengthwise into thin, uniform strips and soak them in salted water for 15 minutes before roasting; this removes any bitterness and ensures they are pliable enough to wrap around the meat filling perfectly.