How to Make Sheikh al-Mahshi Eggplant

Ingredients

• 1 kilo small eggplants
• 1/2 kilo coarsely ground meat
• tomatoes, as desired
• pine nuts, as desired

Method

1. Fry the meat in a little vegetable oil with some salt. Peel the eggplants or leave the skin on according to preference, then fry them. Cut the eggplants the same way they are cut for makdous—that is, make a lengthwise slit—and stuff them with the pre-fried minced meat. You can add pine nuts if desired... and grate the tomato.
2. Arrange the stuffed eggplants in a baking tray. Grate the tomato and add it on top with salt to taste, then place the tray on the stove until the tomato sauce thickens.
3. Serve the Sheikh al-Mahshi eggplant stew alongside white rice or rice with vermicelli.