PAPOUTSAKIA - LITTLE SHOES (STUFFED MINIATURE EGGPLANT)

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Papoutsakia - Little Shoes (Stuffed Miniature Eggplant) image

This is a classic Greek dish, utilizing the little eggplant one can now find on the market. If you cannot find miniature eggplant, just use the longish ones available (not flask - unless VERY small).

Provided by evelynathens

Categories     One Dish Meal

Time 1h55m

Yield 6 serving(s)

Number Of Ingredients 21

2 medium onions, finely chopped
1 garlic clove, minced
1 lb ground beef
3/4 teaspoon cinnamon
1/4 cup butter
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
2 teaspoons salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper
chopped parsley
1 egg, beaten
3/4 cup grated kefalotiri or 3/4 cup parmesan cheese
2 tablespoons dry breadcrumbs
2 1/4 lbs small eggplants (about 12)
1 1/2 cups tomato sauce
3 tablespoons butter
3 tablespoons flour
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/8 teaspoon pepper
1 dash nutmeg
1 cup milk
1 egg, slightly beaten

Steps:

  • Brown onions,garlic, meat and cinnamon lightly in butter, stirring constantly.
  • Add tomatoes, salt and pepper.
  • Cook covered for about 15 minutes, allowing meat mixture to become quite dry.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Add parsley, egg, 1/2 cup cheese and bread crumbs.
  • Preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Along what you choose to become the'top' of each eggplant, peel a 1 1/2 inch strip from one end to the other and make an incision along the strip to within an inch of each end, making a little pocket.
  • Place in baking dish and bake in moderate oven until soft and light brown, about 30-45 minutes.
  • Insert knife blade into incision, make an opening and stuff with teaspoonfuls of meat mixture, making sure each little eggplant gets an equal amount of stuffing.
  • Prepare bechamel sauce: Melt butter over low heat; add flour, salt, pepper and nutmeg; stir until well blended.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Gradually stir in milk and return to heat.
  • Cook, stirring constantly, until thick and smooth.
  • Remove from heat.
  • Add the egg and remaining cheese to the sauce and whisk briskly, to prevent the egg from curdling.
  • Pour about one tablespoon on top of each eggplant pocket.
  • Sprinkle with additional grated cheese and dot with butter.
  • Add tomato sauce to the pan.
  • Bake for about 35 minutes longer.

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