*  Exported from  MasterCook  *

                       EGGPLANT PILAF IN OLIVE OIL

Recipe By     : 
Serving Size  : 8    Preparation Time :0:00
Categories    : Main Dish                        Rice
                Vegetarian                       Ethnic

  Amount  Measure       Ingredient -- Preparation Method
--------  ------------  --------------------------------
   1       md           Eggplant
                        Salt
   2       c            Long grain rice
                        Water
     3/4   c            Olive oil
   3       ea           Chopped onions
   2       tb           Pine nuts
   1       lg           Ripe tomato, diced
   2       tb           Currants
   1       tb           Sugar
   2       ts           Cinnamon
   2       ts           Allspice
                        Salt & pepper
   1       c            Fresh dill, chopped

  Cut stem off eggplant.  Using vegetable peeler,
  peeling lengthwise, remove a strip of skin, leave next
  strip on.  Continue to peel in this striped fashion.
  Cube eggplant into 1" cubes.  Sprinkle generously with
  salt & set aside for 3 hours.  Rinse well.  Drain as
  well as possible, but don't tear the eggplant.
  
  Soak rice in hot water mixed with 2 ts salt, until the
  water turns cool. Drain well & set aside.
  
  Heat olive oil in a heavy pan & cook eggplant cubes,
  stirring frequently. till tender & golden brown on all
  sides.  Drain to remove excess oil.
  
  Add onions & pine nuts to same pan.  Saute for 15 to
  20 minutes.  Stir in the rice & cook, stirring
  frequently, for 8 to 10 minutes.  Stir in eggplant &
  rest of ingredients except dill.  Add 3 cups hot
  water, bring to a boil, cover & cook over medium heat
  for 5 minutes.  Reduce heat to low & cook till all the
  water has been absorbed.  Stir in the dill.
  
  Ensure that the skillet lid has a very good seal.
  Cover the skillet with a clean towel & put the lid on
  top of that.  Set pan on a heat diffuser over the
  lowest possible heat & leave it for 30 minutes.  Stir.
  Serve cold.
  
  Ayla Esen Algar, "The Complete Book of Turkish Cooking"
 


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