Guest Post–Eat, Spin, Run, Repeat

Hello my dear readers,

Hope you’re all having a great start to the week! I wanted to direct you to Eat, Spin, Run, Repeat, where I’m subbing in for Angela today while she continues to enjoy her travels in Australia. I made stuffed grape leaves, and the result is easy, cheap, and ohmygod delicious!

Please check the recipe out—I swear the process is a lot less intimidating than you think! If you can’t find grape leaves, cabbage leaves can replace them.

IMG_9095

The recipe is a step-by-step picture tutorial, per usual, so consider it fail proof.

IMG_9047

Trust me – it’s a crowd pleaser. Enough for everyone (even with a few hoarders…ahem…in the room).

IMG_9067

See you back here tomorrow for another recipe. I have a sweet tooth these days…

xo Aylin

Vegetable Stuffed Eggplant

This dish is a Turkish mainstay pairing the Middle Eastern staple – eggplant – with the classic combination of peppers, onions, and tomatoes. Traditionally, you’ll find it stuffed with ground lamb and veggies, but the all-veggie version is just as juicy and delicious and oh so comforting!

IMG_9776

IMG_9827

Eggplant: lowers LDL (bad) cholesterol with its chlorogenic compound, is anti-carcinogenic due to its antioxidant nasunin content, is a great source of dietary fiber, protects against colon cancer, and is a great source of vitamin A, B vitamins, folate and vitamin C.

Vegetable Stuffed Eggplant

by Aylin @ Glow Kitchen

Ingredients

  • 1 large onion, chopped
  • 2 green peppers, seeded and chopped
  • 1 scallion, chopped
  • 1 garlic bulb, skinned and chopped
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1/4 tsp pepper
  • 1 tsp tomato paste
  • 2 tomatoes, chopped
  • Fresh tomatoes and green pepper for garnish

Instructions

Place four eggplants on a baking sheet. Make a small, 2-inch long incision on the side facing up of each eggplant. This allows for steam to exit while they roast.

IMG_9629IMG_9630

Pop into the oven at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for approximately 30 minutes, or until the eggplant bakes down to a withered look and is soft all the way throughout.  Slice halfway through the flesh and pull open and to the side the eggplant to create a pocket for the vegetables.

IMG_9695IMG_9697

While the eggplant is cooking, cut the pepper, scallion, onion, and garlic.

IMG_9633IMG_9642

Sauté over medium heat with 1/3 cup olive oil and salt and pepper. When the onions begin to become translucent, add the tomato paste and chopped fresh tomatoes. Mix until thoroughly combined and cook until the liquid from the tomatoes has evaporated and the mixture begins to feel dry against the pan.

IMG_9650IMG_9656IMG_9657IMG_9658

IMG_9663

Into the eggplant pockets, place the vegetable mixture evenly across all four.

IMG_9700IMG_9715

Top each with a slice of fresh tomato and green pepper.

IMG_9745

IMG_9740

IMG_9744

Bake for another 25-30 minutes in a 375 degree Fahrenheit oven. The eggplant will absorb the flavors of the vegetable mixture and the juice from the fresh tomato and pepper will seep into the entire dish.

IMG_9793

So flavorful, so rich, yet so so so healthy! It only looks like you’ve labored in the kitchen for hours. Wow your family or dinner guests (and yourself, of course!).

IMG_9804

I guarantee you’ll enjoy these, even those of you who generally don’t like eggplants.

IMG_9797

Bon Appetit!

xo Aylin