Walnut-Stuffed Eggplant
These individual-serving entrées can be made ahead, then reheated just before serving. Salting the eggplant before cooking it eliminates any potential bitterness, but skip this step if you’re watching your sodium.
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These individual-serving entrées can be made ahead, then reheated just before serving. Salting the eggplant before cooking it eliminates any potential bitterness, but skip this step if you’re watching your sodium.
Ingredients
- 3 medium eggplants (3 lb.)
- 2 Tbs. plus 4 tsp. olive oil, divided
- 2 medium onions, diced (3 cups)
- 1 1/2 pt. grape tomatoes, halved (3 cups)
- 3/4 cup roughly chopped walnut pieces
- 2 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
- 1/4 cup whole-wheat breadcrumbs
- 2/3 cup crumbled reduced-fat feta cheese (3 oz.)
Preparation
1. Halve eggplants lengthwise, and scoop out flesh and seeds, leaving 1/2-inch-thick edges on eggplants’ shells. Cut scooped-out flesh into 1/2-inch pieces, and set in colander. Sprinkle eggplant pieces and inside of eggplant shells with salt. Let stand 25 to 30 minutes, or until beaded with moisture. Rinse eggplant shells and pieces in cold water, and pat dry.
2. Bring large pot of salted water to a boil. Drop eggplant shells in water, and simmer 5 to 8 minutes, or until barely tender when pierced with fork. Drain in colander, cool, and pat dry.
3. Meanwhile, heat 1 Tbs. olive oil in large skillet over medium-high heat. Sauté onions 3 minutes, or until translucent. Add eggplant pieces, tomatoes, walnuts, cinnamon, oregano, and 1/4 cup water. Season with salt and pepper, if desired. Cook 8 minutes, or until vegetables are softened and browned, stirring occasionally.
4. Preheat oven to broil. Toss breadcrumbs with 4 tsp. olive oil in bowl. Brush each eggplant shell with 1/2 tsp. oil, and place cut-side up on baking sheet. Broil 5 minutes, or until tender and starting to brown. Reduce oven heat to 375°F.
5. Divide filling among eggplant shells. Sprinkle each stuffed eggplant with breadcrumb mixture, and top with feta cheese. Bake 35 minutes, or until heated through and browned on top. Serve with lemon wedges, if using.
Nutrition Information
- Calories 302
- Carbohydrate Content 29 g
- Cholesterol Content 5 mg
- Fat Content 19 g
- Fiber Content 12 g
- Protein Content 10 g
- Saturated Fat Content 3 g
- Sodium Content 316 mg
- Sugar Content 11 g