BAKED STUFFED EGGPLANT

SERVES 4 to 6

I love stuffed eggplant and should make it more often. This recipe may be altered to taste. You could use more beef and less rice. You could use all rice to keep it vegetarian. I like it with Asiago and Parmesan cheese, but it is great with a sharp cheddar.

INGREDIENTS

2 large eggplants, preferably an oblong variety

1 tablespoon olive oil

1/2 pound ground beef

1 medium onion, chopped

1 large green pepper, chopped

4 large cloves garlic, minced

1 tablespoon dried oregano leaves

1 teaspoon fennel seeds, slightly crushed (see note below)

1 teaspoon dried basil leaves

Salt and pepper to taste

1 can (14.5 ounces) whole tomatoes, crushed with fingers, and the juices

2 cups cooked rice

1/2 cup freshly grated Asiago cheese

1/2 cup freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Half the eggplants lengthwise. Remove enough of the inside to leave about a 1/2-inch shell. Chop the part you remove and reserve. Place the eggplant halves in a microwavable dish. Cover with plastic wrap. Microwave on high just until tender, about 2 minutes. Remove wrap and set aside.

Preheat oven to 350° F. Heat a medium skillet over medium-high heat. Add the olive oil. Brown the ground beef, crumbling with a spoon as you stir. Add the onion, green peppers, reserved chopped eggplant, garlic, oregano, fennel, basil, salt and pepper. Sauté until tender, about 5 minutes. Add the tomatoes, reserving about 1/2 cup of the juice for later. Place in a large bowl. Add the rice and mix well. When slightly cooled, add the grated cheeses. Taste for seasoning.

Place the eggplant halves in a lightly greased baking dish in one layer. Fill each with the rice mixture, pressing down firmly to stuff well. (If there is extra stuffing, arrange it around the stuffed eggplants. ) Drizzle with the reserved tomato juice and extra grated Parmesan. Then drizzle with a little olive oil. Cover tightly with foil and bake until hot and bubbling, about 40 minutes. Remove from oven and let rest about 5 minutes before serving.

Note: The fennel seeds can be crushed in a mortar or, if you don't have one, on the countertop with the bottom of a heavy pan.

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