Description
Beef Eggplant Rice Pilaf is a comforting Mediterranean-inspired dish featuring tender ground beef, savory eggplant, and fragrant basmati rice cooked in a rich tomato and broth mixture.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 4 garlic cloves, finely minced
- 1 onion, diced
- 500g / 1 lb beef mince (ground beef) or lamb
- 1/2 tsp kosher salt (for beef)
- 1 1/2 tbsp dried oregano
- 2 tbsp tomato paste
- 300g / 10oz eggplant, cut into 1.5cm / 3/5″ cubes
- 1/3 cup Pinot Noir or other dry red wine (optional)
- 1 cup basmati rice, uncooked
- 400g / 14 oz can chickpeas, drained
- 400g / 14 oz can crushed tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cups low sodium chicken stock/broth
- 1 1/4 tsp kosher salt (for broth)
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1 tbsp parsley, finely chopped (optional)
- Extra virgin olive oil, for drizzling
- Dollop of Greek yogurt (optional)
Instructions
- Ensure the eggplant cubes are cut no larger than 1.5 cm (1/2 inch) to allow them to cook properly and absorb the flavors thoroughly.
- Heat olive oil in a large pot over high heat. Add diced onion and minced garlic, sautéing for 2 minutes until fragrant. Add ground beef and cook, breaking it up, until no pink remains. Season with 1/2 tsp kosher salt and oregano, continue cooking for 1 minute. Stir in tomato paste and cook for another minute to intensify the flavor.
- Add eggplant cubes to the pot and coat them with the beef juices. Pour in the red wine (if using), bring to a simmer and scrape the bottom of the pot to lift browned bits. Allow most of the wine to evaporate to concentrate flavors.
- Stir in the uncooked basmati rice to coat it with the mixture. Add chickpeas, crushed tomatoes, chicken stock, remaining salt (1 1/4 tsp), and black pepper. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer.
- Once gentle bubbles form evenly across the surface (not just edges), cover the pot with a lid and reduce heat to medium-low or low. Cook undisturbed for 20 minutes without stirring or lifting the lid to ensure perfect steaming.
- Remove the pot from heat and keep the lid on. Let it rest for 10 minutes so the residual steam finishes cooking the rice and absorbs any remaining liquid.
- Fluff the rice gently to combine all ingredients. Serve divided into bowls, drizzle with extra virgin olive oil, sprinkle with parsley, and add a dollop of Greek yogurt if desired.
Notes
- This dish is perfect for meal prep. <liYou can substitute ground beef with lamb for a different flavor.
- Adjust seasoning to taste.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Main Course
- Method: Stovetop
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bowl
- Calories: 430
- Sugar: 4 g
- Sodium: 720 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 45 g
- Fiber: 9 g
- Protein: 28 g
- Cholesterol: 70 mg