Ingredients
The following ingredients have 4 Servings
- 2 medium eggplants
- 1 onion (diced)
- 3-4 garlic cloves (minced)
- 1/2 tbsp oil ((or water, if oil-free))
- 1/4 cup vegetable broth
- 2 plum tomatoes (chopped)
- 1 1/2 cups of cooked lentils (e.g. canned)
- 1 batch vegan cheese sauce (or 7 oz of store-bought vegan cheese)
- 1/2 to 3/4 tsp sea salt (or to taste)
- 1/3 tsp black pepper (or to taste)
- 1 tsp onion powder
- 1 tsp oregano
- 1 tsp paprika
- 3/4 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/2 tbsp maple syrup
- 1 tbsp soy sauce (gluten-free if needed)
- 1 tbsp balsamic vinegar
- 1 tbsp tomato paste
- Fresh herbs (to garnish)
- Red pepper flakes (to taste (optional))
Instruction
- Preheat oven to 410 degrees Fahrenheit (210 degrees Celsius) and line a large baking sheet with parchment paper.
- Cut the eggplants in half (lengthwise) and scoop out about 2/3 of the flesh leaving a 1/2-inch (1 cm) thick border around the skin.
- Process the scooped out eggplant flesh in a food processor and set aside. Check the step-by-step photos above in the blog post.
- Place the eggplant "boats" on a baking sheet, sprinkle with sea salt and bake for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, heat oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add onion and sauté for about 4-5 minutes.
- Add garlic, eggplant flesh, all spices, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, tomato paste, maple syrup, and vegetable broth. Put a lid on the skillet and cook for about 10 minutes.
- Add tomatoes and cooked lentils and cook for a few more minutes. Taste and adjust seasoning. Add more salt/pepper/spices to taste.
- Prepare the vegan cheese sauce or use store-bought vegan cheese.
- Once the eggplants have been in the oven for 20 minutes, reduce the temperature to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius) and stuff each half with the lentil eggplant mixture.
- Add vegan cheese and bake for another 10 minutes. Garnish with fresh herbs and enjoy!