Mediterranean Eggplant Casserole (Kafta Bil Sanieh)
This authentic Mediterranean Eggplant Casserole is made up of layers of Kafta, Potato, Eggplant, Onions, Peppers and tomato, all cooked in a delicious tomato sauce. It's addictive!!
- Prep time
- 40 min
- Cook time
- 1 hr
- Yield
- 10 servings
- Difficulty
- HARD
Ingredients
Quantities are shown as originally provided.
- 1 1/2 lbs lean ground beef
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 4 garlic cloves (crushed)
- 3 eggplants
- 3 potatoes
- 1 onion
- 1 red pepper
- 2 tomatoes
- 3/4 cup vegetable oil (divided)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 2 cups tomato sauce
- 2 cups water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses (optional)
Instructions
- 1
Start by preheating your oven to 400F
- 2
To make the Kafta, mix the ground beef with the spices and shape into small circular shapes. Bake on a lined baking sheet for 18 minutes at 400F. Remove and set aside
- 3
Peel the eggplant length ways every other stripe to create a zebra patter and chop into 1/2 inch circles. Mix evenly with the half cup of oil and 1 teaspoon of salt and bake them on a parchment lined sheet for 40 minutes
- 4
Peel and chop the potatoes into 1/2 inch circles. Mix with 2 tablespoons of oil and half a teaspoon of salt and bake on a lined baking sheet for 40 minutes
- 5
Meanwhile, slice the onion and red pepper into then strips and saute together in a skillet on medium heat using 2 tablespoons of oil for about 7 minutes until softened and caramelized
- 6
Slice the tomato into 1/4 inch circles
- 7
When the kafta, eggplant, potato, onions and peppers are cooked through, it's time to assemble
- 8
Using a deep 9x13 inch baking dish, assemble the first layer of Kafta, followed by potato and eggplant, placing them all on top of each other and evenly filling the dish
- 9
Then add the layer of onions and peppers, and finally top with the tomato slices by placing them evenly around the dish
- 10
In a bowl, mix all the tomato sauce ingredients together and pour over the dish
- 11
Bake covered for 45 minutes and then broil uncovered for an additional 15 minutes
- 12
Serve with rice and enjoy!