Best Traditional Eggplant Boats Recipes

EGGPLANT PARMESAN BOATS RECIPE BY TASTY

Steps:

• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Scoop out inside of eggplant leaving about ½-inch (1 cm) border inside.
• Chop the remaining eggplant and reserve.
• Brush the scooped out eggplants with olive oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Bake for 10-15 minutes.
• Heat olive oil in medium skillet over medium heat.
• Add onions and garlic to the pan. Cook until translucent. Add ground turkey and season with garlic powder, salt and pepper. Cook until the meat is browned.
• Add leftover eggplant pieces to ground turkey and onion. Cook for 5-8 minutes or until tender.
• Add marinara sauce and cook for another 3-5 minutes.
• Scoop meat sauce into the eggplants and sprinkle with mozzarella and parmesan.
• Bake for 10-15 minutes, or until cheese is melted.
• Sprinkle with basil and serve.
• Enjoy!

SPICY CHICKEN EGGPLANT BOATS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F. Line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
• Mix the oregano, salt, cumin, garlic powder and onion powder together in a small bowl. Set aside.
• Halve the eggplant, then use a paring knife to cut vertical and horizontal slits across the cut side, about 3/4-inch apart. (You want to create crosshatches across the whole surface without piercing through the skin on the other side.) Place the halves on the lined baking sheet.
• Spread each cut half with a tablespoon of olive oil, then split a heaping tablespoon of the spice mix between the two. Roast until the flesh is browned, tender and scoopable, 30 to 40 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium-high heat. Add 1 tablespoon olive oil, then the onion. Cook, stirring frequently, until the onion softens, about 5 minutes. Add the harissa, ground chicken and the remaining spice mix (about 1 tablespoon). Cook the chicken, breaking it up so that it is in small pieces, until it is golden brown. Add the tomatoes and pine nuts. Bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer and cook until the sauce is thick, at least 20 minutes.
• Remove the eggplant from the oven and use a fork to scoop out the cooked insides, leaving the skins intact. Stir the scooped eggplant flesh into the tomato mixture, then fill the eggplant boats with the mixture. Return the boats to the oven and cook until the sauce is bubbling, another 10 minutes.
• Mix the yogurt, dill, lemon juice, 2 tablespoons of water and salt and pepper to taste in a small bowl, using a little more water to loosen the sauce if desired.
• Remove the eggplant boats from the oven and allow to cool slightly before serving. Drizzle with the yogurt sauce, then sprinkle with the pine nuts and mint and drizzle with the remaining tablespoon olive oil.

TRADITIONAL EGGPLANT BOATS

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 375°. Halve the eggplants lengthwise, then slash the flesh 4 or 5 times and sprinkle generously with salt. Put in a colander and let stand 30 minutes. Rinse and pat dry with paper towels.
• Heat the oil in a large, heavy-bottom skillet over medium heat. Add the eggplants, cut side down and cook 5 minutes. Remove and drain well. Transfer to a casserole. Add onions, garlic, and green pepper to skillet and cook, stirring occasionally, for 10 minutes. Add the tomatoes, sugar, and ground coriander. Season with salt and pepper, then stir in the cilantro.
• NOTE: You may need to add a little more oil before going on to the next step.
• Spoon the onion and tomato mixture on top of the eggplant halves, then cover and bake for 30 minutes. Remove and let cool. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for 1 hour before serving.