Stuffed eggplant is a so classic and famous Turkish food. The Turkish name is “Karnıyarık” means ripped from belly 🙂
Cause we’re gonna rip the eggplant from half. Mediterranean cuisine has so many options if you like eggplant. And there are a lot of recipes with eggplant in Turkish cuisine and I’ll try to write all of them 🙂 And also there is a vegetarian version of stuffed eggplant, the Imam Bayıldı recipe. I will write the recipe soon 🙂
Check more Turkish recipes; Stuffed Bell Peppers, Stuffed Grape Leaves
About recipe;
Do you need to fry the eggplants?
This is gonna be the classic stuffed eggplant recipe. That’s why I fried the eggplants. But if you say this is heavy roast the eggplants in oven. Grease with some olive oil. Roast 200°C(400°F) 20-25 minutes. Still gonna be so tasty.
Soak eggplants in water before cooking;
Before cooking eggplants, it’s a good idea to soak them in water, which is a common practice in Turkish cuisine. This method helps reduce the amount of oil absorbed by the eggplants during frying. Here’s how you can do it:
- Take a large bowl.
- Add water to the bowl.
- Stir in a couple of tablespoons of salt.
- Place the eggplants in the saltwater solution.
- Allow the eggplants to soak in the water for about 30 minutes before frying.
Soaking the eggplants in a saltwater solution not only helps reduce their oil absorption but also improves their texture and flavor when you cook them. It’s a helpful technique for many eggplant dishes in various cuisines.
What goes with stuffed eggplant?
In Turkish cuisine, stuffed eggplant is typically served with pilaf and cacık. What are these?
- Pilaf: Pilaf is a rice cooking technique. Typically, when making pilaf, rice is sautéed with specific ingredients and then cooked in a flavorful liquid. In Turkish cuisine, pilaf is commonly used as a side dish to complement main courses. There are various types of pilaf widely available in Turkish cuisine.
- Cacık: Cacık is a dish that is very similar to Greek Tzatziki. It’s often made with ingredients such as yogurt, cucumber, garlic, and fresh herbs. Cacık pairs well with many Turkish dishes, serving as a refreshing side dish or appetizer, particularly during the summer months.
While it’s a traditional choice to serve stuffed eggplant with pilaf and cacık, you can also serve it with pasta or classic rice according to your personal preferences. Turkish cuisine offers a wide range of flavors and options, and stuffed eggplant is just one example of this diversity.
