Extraordinary dishes prepared with ordinary vegetables!!
Imam Bayildi translated The Fainting Imam, the name given to this Eggplant (Brinjal/Aubergine) preparation originates from one of the stories on the origins of this dish. It is said that the Imam passed out when he tasted this simple but flavorful dish, although not certain if it was due to the amount of olive oil or from the delicious taste!
Imam Bayildi (The Fainting Imam)
Blanch, peel and chop tomatoes. Chop parsley/coriander leaves. Remove stems and peel strips of skin lengthwise from the brinjals to get a striped effect. Cut lengthwise stopping short of the edge. Place the brinjals in salted water to avoid turning brown. Cut the onions into wedges. Chop the garlic.
- Heat half the olive oil and fry the onion till nearly transparent. Add the garlic and fry for a minute. Add the tomatoes and cook over medium-low heat for 5 minutes. Add salt and pepper and sprinkle parsley/coriander leaves all over.
- In a frying pan, heat remaining oil over high heat. Drain the eggplants well and fry until lightly brown on all sides but still firm. Cool the eggplants slightly and stuff the onion mixture as much as possible into the eggplants. Place the eggplants over the remaining mixture. Sprinkle the lemon juice, sugar and ½ cup water, cover and place on medium-low heat for 45 minutes.
Imam Bayildi
Ingredients
- 3 long medium-large eggplants
- 3 large onions
- 5 cloves garlic
- 4 tomatoes
- Large bunch parsley or coriander leaves
- 1 tsp. black pepper powder
- 1 lemon juice
- 1 tsp sugar
- Salt to taste
- ½ cup olive oil
Method
- Blanch, peel and chop tomatoes.
- Chop parsley/coriander leaves.
- Remove stems and peel strips of skin lengthwise from the brinjals to get a striped effect.
- Cut lengthwise stopping short of the edge.
- Place the brinjals in salted water to avoid turning brown.
- Cut the onions into wedges.
- Chop the garlic.
- Heat half the olive oil and fry the onion till nearly transparent.
- Add the garlic and fry for a minute.
- Add the tomatoes and cook over medium-low heat for 5 minutes.
- Add salt and pepper and sprinkle parsley/coriander leaves all over.
- In a frying pan, heat remaining oil over high heat.
- Drain the eggplants well and fry until lightly brown on all sides but still firm.
- Cool the eggplants slightly and stuff the onion mixture as much as possible into the eggplants.
- Place the eggplants over the remaining mixture.
- Sprinkle the lemon juice, sugar and ½ cup water, cover and place on medium-low heat for 45 minutes.
- If necessary add a little water to prevent from drying.
- Ideally served with Pita bread, goes well with chapatis or any Indian bread.
Extraordinary dishes prepared with ordinary vegetables. Also check out Aloo Chutneywale and Musallam Phool Gobi.
My Cooking Diaries "CooklikeCecilia.com" 