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Home » Recipes » Main Courses » Eggplant Casserole Recipe

Eggplant Casserole Recipe

By Lola Elise 26 Comments

Do you like eggplant? Do you like tomatoes? Than this Eggplant Casserole is for you! OK, that sounded like a cheap soap commercial. Please do not think that way :) This a perfectly delicious recipe for those who enjoy the combo of vegetables with meat. How did I find this recipe? Well, it happened like in a tale that starts with “once upon a time”…

Eggplant Casserole

A couple of months ago, I asked my Facebook friends to forward me their favorite recipes or to name a recipe they are looking for. As a result, I ended up with some neat ideas to work with. Due to my slacking and excellently polished procrastinating skills, it took me a while to organize everything and decide where to begin. I think, I just think that I am done procrastinating :)

The first recipe I want to introduce to you is Eggplant Casserole, also known as Tepsi Beitinijan, in Arabic. This fine recipe was sent to me by my high school friend Kamilla. She is an amazing mother of 2 handsome boys and a wife to one lucky gentleman. Kamillaxon, I thank you dearly for the recipe :)

Tepsi Beitinijan is a famous Iraqi dish. It is a good combination of vegetables and rich beef stew. I followed Kamilla’s recipe to the T. But As we go along with the recipe process, I will give you suggestions on how to make this dish even more delicious than it already is.

As always, adventures, in other words “disasters” decided to team up with me. Here they are in action:

  1. the umbrella I use for food photography fell…
  2. external flash was on the same stand with the umbrella…
  3. both flash and umbrella landed on top of the camera…
  4. all of the above cracked the leg of pocket wizard transceiver…
  5. ended up super-gluing the pocket wizard and ruined the umbrella later…
  6. cut my finger with my ultra sharp Shun knife…
  7. pressure cooker decided to avenge and burned me as a result

Since I was determined to master this recipe, I didn’t back down! After much “whatda…”, “should have”, “could have”, “would have”s, a bandaged finger and a super-glued pocket wizard, my casserole was ready for consumption. Oh, I hope you like the looks of it :)

Ingredients for soaking the eggplants:

  • Enough water in a medium bowl to soak the eggplants (apprx. 1 L)
  • 2 Tbsp salt
  • 2 extra large or 4 medium size eggplants

Ingredients for the stew and for the rest of the process:

  • 1 medium onion
  • 1,5 lb beef chuck
  • 4 Tbsp canola oil
  • 2 Tbsp tomato paste
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • pinch of cumin
  • pinch of black pepper
  • 2-3 medium tomatoes
  • 6 cups of water
  • 1/2 cup parsley
  • 2 cloves minced garlic (optional)
  • 2 small potatoes (optional)
  • 2 oz. Mozarella cheese (optional)
  • More oil to fry the eggplants (apprx. 2 cups)

Directions:

Preheat the oven at 400 F after you are done simmering the beef stew!

Add 2 Tbsp of salt in the water, set aside until you are done cutting the eggplants. Original recipe calls to cut the eggplants lengthwise. You can choose to cut it lengthwise or in 1/2 inch circles. Please DO peel the skin off your eggplants. In this particular recipe, it is better if you peel it all. I didn’t mind the skin but my husband was not pleased with it.

Eggplant Casserole #1 Eggplant Casserole #2

Once you have the eggplants ready, soak them in previously prepared salty water. While eggplants soak up, cut tomatoes in thin circles. Cut onions in thin half circles and cube the beef. If you are using potatoes slice them thinly, too.

Eggplant Casserole #3 Eggplant Casserole #23 Eggplant Casserole #4 Eggplant Casserole #5

You will need to fry the onions along with the beef and let it simmer in water for a while. If you are lucky to have a pressure cooker, your task is going to be much easier. If you do not have a pressure cooker, then you will need to simmer the beef stew for about an hour and a half in a regular pot.

On medium heat, warm up the pressure cooker and add 4-5 Tbsp of oil to it. Add onions and stir-fry them until they are soft and slightly golden.

Eggplant Casserole #6 Eggplant Casserole #7 Eggplant Casserole #8 Eggplant Casserole #9

Add the meat and fry everything for 5 minutes, constantly mixing everything. Add salt, black pepper, cumin and tomato paste. If you are adding garlic, this is your chance to use it, too. If the meat is sticking to the bottom of the pan, add a little water and finish frying.

Eggplant Casserole #10 Eggplant Casserole #11 Eggplant Casserole #12 Eggplant Casserole #13 Eggplant Casserole #14 Eggplant Casserole #15

Add 6 cups of water and close the lid of the pressure cooker. Cook for about 20 minutes. If you are using the conventional method of just letting it simmer in a pot for some time, mark your watch at 1-1.5 hours. The juice of the stew is much needed later. Do not discard it once you are done simmering the stew.

Eggplant Casserole #16 Eggplant Casserole #17

Meanwhile, start frying the eggplants. I’ve been told that you need a lot of oil to fry the eggplant to obtain that precise softness. Start from 2 cups of canola oil and see how it goes. But one thing I recommend is to dry the eggplants well before they go into the oil and pat dry them right after they come out of the oil. The first step is done to remove excess water from the eggplants. The after method is done to remove excess oil from the eggplants. Eggplants will absorb a lot of oil. The end result of your casserole may not dazzle you, if it is greasy. So, take my suggestion and lay the eggplants flat on top of the paper towel before and after you are done frying them.

Eggplant Casserole #20 Eggplant Casserole #19

Flip the eggplants to the other side once they are slightly brown on the bottom side.

Eggplant Casserole #21 Eggplant Casserole #22

Place the ready stew in a rectangular casserole dish, pour some of the stew liquid. Liquid shouldn’t cover more than half of the casserole dish. Otherwise, it will overflow the dish in the oven.

Eggplant Casserole #24 Eggplant Casserole #25

The recipe calls for two layers of eggplant and top layer of tomato. I am sure you can play around with the layering like I did. If you are using potatoes, I recommend placing them on the lower level, on top of the meat. This will ensure better baking chance for the potatoes.

Eggplant Casserole #26 Eggplant Casserole #27

I placed one layer of eggplants first and then a layer of tomatoes were placed on top of the eggplants. The third layer was a combination between the two.

Eggplant Casserole #28

If you are using cheese, sprinkle it on top of the tomato/eggplants. Chop the parsley and place it on the top level of the casserole. Bake for about 40 minutes in the oven. It is best served with well-cooked Basmati rice and salads like Tabouleh. You can always add another side dish, but having rice is ideal :)

Eggplant Casserole #29(a)

Bon Appetit!

Eggplant Casserole main #2

Recipe Category: Main Courses

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Camellia

    February 5, 2010 at 10:25 am

    I’m very sorry to hear about your finger, Pocketwizard transceiver and umbrella. Be extremely cautious with sharp knives and hot pressure. Despite the disasters, the food came out really good. It look’s awesome, kudos to you. I can’t wait to try your recipe, want to use it as a side dish.

    Honestly, I always considered Shun knives are designed for strong, masculine hands. 4 years ago I’ve been desperately asking DH to get me Shun Elite knives and when I finally received them I decided to switch back to my old-good Globals. Don’t get me wrong, Shun makes superb knives, but they’re not designed for my delicate, tiny hands. DH loves his Shuns, we’ll keep adding to his collection.

    Reply
    • Lola Mansurov

      February 5, 2010 at 12:46 pm

      Initially that’s how I thought. I really liked the looks of global but Shun knives are looking pUrtier to me :) My hands are tiny, too. But so far I haven’t had a single problem with my Shuns. Performance wise there is no difference. I love both Global and Shun. Switching back and forth is a good idea :P

      Reply
  2. lyalyapo

    February 5, 2010 at 1:45 pm

    Loved recipe, inshaallah I’ll try it soon(as soon as hubby will be able to eat proper food :(), something new and interesting :D

    Reply
    • Lola Mansurov

      February 5, 2010 at 11:37 pm

      Aha! You should try it. Comes out pretty decent :)

      Reply
  3. lyalyapo

    February 5, 2010 at 1:46 pm

    uuh what a scary avatar i’ve got here, sorry for spam :P

    Reply
    • Lola Mansurov

      February 5, 2010 at 11:37 pm

      Get used to it, that’s your permanent one, lol :))

      Reply
  4. WizzytheStick

    February 5, 2010 at 6:57 pm

    I have tried a version of this. It was delicious.

    Reply
    • Lola Mansurov

      February 5, 2010 at 11:38 pm

      Thank you, wizzy :D

      Reply
  5. Cherine

    February 7, 2010 at 2:39 am

    mmm i love eggplants!! ur casserole looks delicious!
    This is the first time I visit ur blog & I love it :)

    Reply
    • Lola Mansurov

      February 8, 2010 at 11:42 am

      uh oh! Thank you Cherine :D

      Reply
  6. Kamilla

    February 7, 2010 at 12:51 pm

    Lolchik, I´m sorry for all your 7 disasters and thank you for not backing down :-) I hope it was worth it ;-) I liked your way of adding personal touch to this recipe, you were good at mentioning stuff that I missed out telling you,sorry. I can share more recipes with you if you want to, just let me know.
    Thanks again for your blog, I made Pide yesterday, it came out delicious and everybody loved it, there´s an iraqi expression meaning “God bless your hands” and that´s what I said yesterday eating your Pide :-)

    Reply
    • Lola Mansurov

      February 8, 2010 at 11:43 am

      ABSOLUTELY! Keep them recipes coming my way :) I am happy that pide came out well. That’s one full proof recipe isn’t it? I am making them for lunch today :) Thank you for the duas! I am thrilleeeeedddd

      Reply
  7. Jimmy

    February 8, 2010 at 4:12 pm

    Wow… amazing photos! And this looks like a tasty way to get some vegetables in me… I’ve always struggles with that. Thanks!

    Reply
    • Lola Mansurov

      February 9, 2010 at 12:56 pm

      Hi Jimmy, thank you for stopping by my blog! :)

      I am adding a little change to the recipe. If you do not want eggs to absorb too much oil, slightly brush the side of the eggplants with a little bit of egg wash (egg whites). Let me know how it goes :)

      Reply
  8. laura

    February 8, 2010 at 6:11 pm

    This looks delicious – I love finding new recipes for all of our garden eggplant!

    Reply
    • Lola Mansurov

      February 9, 2010 at 12:57 pm

      oh wow! I envy you Laura! I want garden eggplants, too! I dream that one day I will have a big, big garden with a lot of vegetables! Ehh. I miss my dad. He is our garden pro :P

      Reply
  9. Mrs Ergül

    February 8, 2010 at 7:19 pm

    I hope you are feeling better! I feel sorry for your finger and umbrella. But don’t worry! It can all be fixed!

    As usual the photos are great! I think this is a great dish to serve up, imagine how delighted folks will be to discover stewed beef beneath all the eggplants and tomatoes! Brilliant! Thanks for sharing another great recipe!

    By the way, I have just added you on FB. (Take care!)

    Reply
    • Lola Mansurov

      February 9, 2010 at 12:58 pm

      Oh, you know what Pei, turks love it! I am sure your hubby will like it a lot, too. I suggested to use egg wash to Jimmy, in case you do not want the eggplants absorb too much oil. Try that, I am sure you will like it, too :)

      Reply
  10. Memoria

    February 9, 2010 at 4:34 pm

    OH NO!! I’m so sorry you went through all those mess-ups!! Wow. I hope everything is okay and fixed. The eggplant dish looks so colorful, beautiful, and perfect!!! Wow. I’m forwarding this recipe to my mother.

    Reply
    • Lola Mansurov

      February 10, 2010 at 11:44 pm

      Thank you, dearest :D

      Reply
  11. iroda

    April 20, 2010 at 3:19 pm

    i tried this out yesterday for a bunch of neighbours: italian, pakistani, indian/south african and english. It was loved by all. mashAllah, very delicious food.
    Hubby asked to make it again so I took my second attempt today which was even better, I think.

    Thanks a lot for sharing this recipe.

    Reply
    • Lola Mansurov

      April 27, 2010 at 1:26 am

      Irodochka, I am glad your family enjoyed it :) Thank you for all your kind words!

      Reply
  12. Bien

    April 24, 2010 at 1:24 pm

    turkchasi tepis patlican bo’larkanda :D

    Reply
    • Lola Mansurov

      April 27, 2010 at 1:26 am

      Huddi shunday. Faqat tepismas, tepsi bo’lsa kerak :P

      Reply
  13. Hazel Alvarez

    April 14, 2011 at 12:57 am

    Many thanks for this recipe, i just bought the ingredients, and all i need is cheese! Im currently settling in an island (check out camotes islands philippines) and dont have the luxury of getting ingredients easily from a grocery store. So I’ll improvise on ur recipe. Bon appetit indeed!

    Reply
  14. Alexander von Gimbut

    April 17, 2012 at 2:57 pm

    My wonderful wife Nancy is in the process of making this dish and I am really looking forward to tasting the finished product. Caveat: although I am not a scholar of Arabic or less even of Iraqi the name Tepsi Beitinijan sounds more Armenian or Farsi to my ear. I know that it is a Mesa dish like Hummus, but always think of Baba Ganoush term for eggplant… Any idea(s) comment(s)?

    Reply

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