TURKEY-AND-QUINOA STUFFED EGGPLANT

Turkey-and-Quinoa Stuffed Eggplant image

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Time 40m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 12

Ingredients

4 small Italian eggplants, halved lengthwise
6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
Kosher salt and freshly ground pepper
3/4 cup panko
2 cloves garlic (1 smashed, 1 minced)
1/4 cup grated parmesan cheese
1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
1 onion, chopped
1/2 teaspoon herbes de Provence
1 pound ground turkey
1 14.5-ounce can crushed tomatoes
1 cup frozen cooked quinoa, thawed

Steps:

Place a rimmed baking sheet in the oven and preheat to 450 degrees F. Brush the cut sides of the eggplants with 2 tablespoons olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Place cut-side down on the hot baking sheet and roast until tender, about 25 minutes.
Meanwhile, heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add the panko and smashed garlic; season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring, until toasted, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl; stir in the cheese and half the parsley. Discard the garlic.
Wipe out the skillet; add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and heat over medium-high heat. Add the onion, minced garlic, herbes de Provence and 1/4 teaspoon salt; cook, stirring, until softened, 5 minutes. Add the turkey, 3/4 teaspoon salt and a few grinds of pepper; cook, breaking up the meat, until lightly browned, about 4 minutes. Add the tomatoes and simmer until thickened, about 5 minutes. Stir in the quinoa and remaining parsley. Cook until hot, 1 to 2 minutes.
Scoop out most of the flesh from each eggplant, leaving a shell. Roughly chop the flesh and stir into the turkey mixture. Stuff the eggplant shells with the turkey mixture and top with the toasted panko. Drizzle with olive oil.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 590, Fat 37 grams, SaturatedFat 7 grams, Cholesterol 88 milligrams, Sodium 992 milligrams, Carbohydrate 39 grams, Fiber 7 grams, Protein 29 grams, Sugar 10 grams