Urfa Kebab - Fried Eggplants and Meatballs - Armenian Cuisine - Heghineh Cooking Show

ground lamb

🥗Healthier: ground turkey

💰Cheaper: ground beef

Ground turkey is leaner, while ground beef is often more affordable.

olive oil

🥗Healthier: avocado oil

💰Cheaper: canola oil

Avocado oil is healthier with a high smoke point, while canola oil is cost-effective.

yogurt

🥗Healthier: Greek yogurt

💰Cheaper: sour cream

Greek yogurt is thicker and higher in protein, while sour cream is often cheaper.

pita bread

🥗Healthier: whole grain pita

💰Cheaper: flatbread

Whole grain pita offers more fiber, while flatbread is often less expensive.

Cut eggplants into thick slices about 2 and 1/2 inches thick.

Preheat oil for frying the eggplants until hot.

Fry the eggplants until lightly browned and then place them on a napkin to absorb excess oil.

Finely crush one medium onion and mix with spices including salt, black pepper, red pepper flakes, cayenne, and paprika.

Mix ground turkey and ground beef with the crushed onion and spices, optionally adding garlic powder and fresh greens.

Assemble the dish by placing a meatball mixture between two slices of fried eggplant.

Arrange the eggplant and meatball layers in a baking pan.

Drizzle with tomato sauce and optional extra peppers and garlic.

Cover the dish with foil and bake at 350°-375° for 35 minutes, then uncover and bake for an additional 20-25 minutes until golden.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens