Eggplant and Tomato Casserole

Ingredients and Weight:

• 2 large eggplants (about 500g each)
• 3 large tomatoes (about 250g each)
• 200g ground meat (chicken or beef)
• 100g chopped onions
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 1 teaspoon oregano
• 2 cups cooked rice (optional)

Preparation Time: 45 minutes (includes preparation and cooking time)

Difficulty Level: Level 3 (Moderate difficulty)

Preparation Method Steps:

1. Preheat the oven to 375°F.
2. Peel and slice the eggplants into 1-inch thick rounds. Arrange them on a baking sheet and bake for 20 minutes or until tender.
3. Meanwhile, dice the tomatoes and cook the ground meat with chopped onions in a large skillet until the meat is cooked through.
4. Remove the eggplant from the oven and reduce the heat to 350°F.
5. In a large bowl, combine the cooked meat mixture, tomato paste, salt, black pepper, and oregano. Mix well.
6. Arrange the baked eggplant slices in a baking dish and spread the meat mixture over them. Top with the diced tomatoes.
7. Bake for another 15-20 minutes or until the top is bubbling and slightly browned.
8. Serve hot with cooked rice, if desired.

Nutritional Information: (Per serving, assuming 8 total servings) Calories: Approximately 300-400 calories per serving (depending on the amount of meat and rice served) Fat: 15-20g Carbohydrates: 30-40g Protein: 20-30g

Dish Characteristics:

• This dish is a hearty and flavorful combination of eggplant, tomatoes, and ground meat, baked to perfection.
• The dish has a rich, tomato-based sauce that pairs well with the tender eggplant slices.
• It is suitable for American taste due to its hearty ingredients and baked preparation method.

User Comments:

1. "This dish was amazing! The combination of eggplant and tomato was so flavorful, and the ground meat added a rich, hearty element."
2. "I loved the baked eggplant slices. They were so tender and paired well with the tomato-based sauce."
3. "This dish was a hit at my dinner party! Everyone loved the rich flavor and the combination of ingredients."

Special Precautions and Tips:

• Be sure to bake the eggplant slices until they are tender to ensure they are cooked through.
• Adjust the seasoning according to your taste preference.
• If you want to add more vegetables, you can add bell peppers or olives to the meat mixture.