Turkish Eggplant Aubergine Pilaf Patlicanli Pilav Recipes

SPICED AUBERGINE PILAF WITH POACHED EGGS

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Put the aubergines in a roasting tin, drizzle over the oil and some seasoning, then toss them together. Roast for 20 mins until tender and golden brown, turning once or twice.
• Meanwhile, rinse the rice, then soak in cold water for 5 mins. Heat the butter in a pan over a low heat, add the onion and cook gently for 8 mins until softened. Drain the rice and add to the pan, stirring to coat in the butter. Cook for 2-3 mins, then spoon in the curry paste, stir, and let it sizzle. Pour over the hot stock, bring to the boil, then cover and turn the heat down to the lowest setting. Cook for 15 mins, then turn off the heat and let the rice steam for 10 mins - don't lift the lid.
• Bring a large pan of water to the boil and poach the eggs, 2 at a time, then drain well. Stir the aubergines through the rice, squeeze over the lemon juice, then taste for seasoning. Divide the pilaf between plates and top with a poached egg, cashew nuts and mint leaves. Serve with a dollop of yogurt.

TURKISH EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) PILAF (PATLICANLI PILAV)

Steps:

• Cut eggplants into large cubes with skin on. Place in a colander and sprinkle liberally with salt. Leave for 30 minutes.
• Rince and dry eggplant with paper towels.
• Half onion lengthwise and slice.
• Heat 1/4 cup olive oil in a heavy pan and fry eggplant cubes until lightly browned. Remove and set aside.
• Add the remaining oil and gently fry the onion until transparent. Add tomatoes, seasoning, herbs and fried eggplant. Bring to a boil.
• Wash rice until the water runs clear. Drain and place on top of the eggplant mixture. Add chicken stock.
• Bring to a boil without stirring. Reduce heat, cover pan and leave to simmer gently for 30 minutes.
• Turn off heat, place a few paper towels over the rim of the pan and replace the lid (This is important don't ignore this part or your pilav won't be as fluffy!).
• Stir gently and turn into a heated serving dish.
• Serve with yogurt and then enjoy the delicious taste.

PILAF WITH TOMATO TURKISH-STYLE (DOMATESLI PILAV)

Steps:

• Drain the rice in a fine mesh strainer for 1 full minute under cold water. Set aside to drain. This is best done first thing in the early part of the day.
• Grate the tomato into a glass measuring cup. I used a cheese grater and grated the toms down to their skin, then discarded.
• Add enough water to the tomato to equal 2 cups.
• Pour the mixture into a medium sized pot; add the butter and salt.
• Bring to boil and stir in the rice.
• Cover and cook on low heat. This will take about 15-20 minutes. If for some reason the rice starts to dry out, add about 1/4 cup more water and cook an additional 5-10 minutes.
• Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with *fresh* parsley. This side dish works well and is a perfect accompaniment to a heavily seasoned/more intensely flavored main dish because the flavors won't compete.

TURKISH EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) LENTIL STEW

Steps:

• Peel eggplant in strips, then cut lengthwise into strips.
• Cut each strip into 3 pieces, salt heavily with kosher salt and let it sit in a colander for 1 hour.
• Meanwhile, cover lentils with 2 inches of water and bring to a boil.
• Lower to simmer and cook 15 minutes, drain.
• In a bowl add 1 tbsp olive oil and onion, garlic, peppers, tomatoes, mint, tomato paste, and red pepper.
• Rinse the eggplant and dry.
• In a dutch oven layer half of the onion mixture.
• Top with a layer of eggplant, and a layer of lentils.
• Repeat.
• Pour remaining olive oil around sides and over the top.
• Drizzle with the pomegranate molasses.
• Bring to a boil, lower heat to simmer and cook 1 1/2 hours.

TURKISH PILAF

Steps:

• In a medium-sized saucepan, melt the butter over medium-high heat. Add the green pepper and mushrooms and saute for 5 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients, stirring until blended. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat to low. Simmer, covered, for 30 minutes or until all the liquid has evaporated.

HUNKAR BEGENDI (TURKISH EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) CREAM)

Steps:

• Grill eggplants whole without peeling them by holding over a flame and turning slowly, or prick skin in several places and set in hot oven.
• When the skin begins to break and the inside pulp feels soft, slip off the skin; discard sacs containing seeds and chop up pulp; put pulp in a saucepan.
• Mix lemon juice with pulp and simmer until very soft, stirring often (10-15 minutes).
• Meanwhile, melt butter, add flour to it and allow flour to brown.
• Beat the butter and flour mixture into the eggplant.
• Slowly add several tablespoons of hot milk and the nutmeg and continue beating until mixture resembles mashed potatoes.
• Lastly add several tablespoons of grated cheese and cook several minutes more.
• Serve immediately.

TURKISH EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) SALAD

Steps:

• With a fork, pierce skin of eggplant. Bake eggplant in a rimmed pan in a 400 degrees oven for 1 hour or until very soft; cool.
• Split in half and scoop out pulp into a bowl. Mash pulp with a fork.
• Mix in oil, lemon juice, garlic, green pepper and salt and pepper to taste. Cover and chill for 2 hours.
• To serve: Arrange romaine lettuce leaves on platter. Mound eggplant in center. Garnish with tomato wedges and fresh parsley.