The Most Delicious Version of Eggplant Meatballs
The Islim Kebab, a delicious and popular dish in Turkish cuisine, is a combination of thinly sliced eggplant filled with seasoned ground beef. It is a delightful choice, particularly for meat lovers. Here is the Islim Kebab recipe:
Ingredients
- 4 medium-sized eggplants
- 2 medium-sized green peppers
- 8 cherry tomatoes
- Sufficient amount of toothpicks
- Vegetable oil for frying
For the Meatballs
- 500 grams medium-fat ground beef
- 1 medium-sized onion (grated)
- ½ water cup bread crumbs
- 15 sprigs of parsley
- ½ cup soda water
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- Vegetable oil for frying
For the Sauce
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 tomatoes (grated)
- 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
- 2 cloves of garlic (crushed)
- ½ cup hot water
- 1 teaspoon salt
Instructions for İslim Kebab
- Start by preparing the meatball mixture. In a deep bowl, combine the ground beef, grated onion, bread crumbs, finely chopped parsley, soda water, salt, paprika, cumin, and black pepper. Knead the mixture for approximately 10 minutes. Cover the bowl and let it rest in the refrigerator for 3-4 hours. This resting period will enhance the flavors of the meatball mixture.
- Peel the eggplants in a striped pattern and slice them into long, thin strips. Place the slices in salted water to remove the bitterness.
- Fry the meatballs in hot oil. Once cooked, remove them from the pan and set them aside on a paper towel to absorb any excess oil.
- Fry the dried eggplant slices in vegetable oil until they become golden brown. Place two fried eggplant slices in a cross shape on your work surface.
- In the center, place one cooked meatball and fold the eggplant slices over it. Add a piece of green pepper and half a cherry tomato on top, then secure it with a toothpick.
- To prepare the sauce, heat the olive oil in a small saucepan. Add the grated tomatoes and crushed garlic, then sauté them. Add the sugar, hot water, and salt. Simmer the sauce for 4-5 minutes, then remove it from the heat.
- Place the arranged Islim Kebabs on a baking tray and drizzle the sauce over them. Bake in a preheated oven at 180 degrees Celsius for approximately 30 minutes.
- Serve the Islim Kebabs hot.
Enjoy your meal!
Tips
Meat Selection: To achieve a good result, opt for a mixture of fatty and lean ground beef. This ensures that the meatballs are flavorful and juicy.
Kneading the Meat Mixture: Thoroughly knead the meat mixture to evenly distribute the ingredients. This positively affects the taste and texture of the meatballs.
Resting Time: Allow the meat mixture to rest in the refrigerator. This allows the spices to thoroughly infuse the meat, enhancing its flavor.
Eggplant Preparation: After peeling the eggplants in stripes, soak them in salty water. This removes the bitterness and enhances the eggplants’ flavor.
Eggplant Frying: Ensure the eggplants are well dried and fry them in hot oil. This results in crispy and lightly golden eggplants.
Arranging Eggplant Strips: Place the fried eggplant strips neatly and leave them slightly open for easy stuffing with the meatball.
Flavorful Sauce: Use fresh and quality ingredients for the sauce. When grating tomatoes, include their juice for a more intense flavor.
Temperature and Time: Cook the İslim Kebabs at low heat to allow the flavors to meld. Adjust the cooking time appropriately to ensure the meatballs are perfectly cooked.
Presentation: Serve İslim Kebabı hot. Enhance the presentation by garnishing with freshly chopped greens or pomegranate molasses.