Eggplant baked with cheese and ham

4 servings

25 minutes

Eggplant baked with cheese and ham is a delicious and hearty dish of Greek cuisine, combining the tenderness of baked vegetables, the spiciness of ham, and the rich creamy flavor of cheese. In Greece, eggplant is considered one of the main ingredients of traditional cuisine, used in moussaka, melitzanosalata, and other famous dishes. Here it transforms into appetizing boats filled with aromatic filling. Baking removes the bitterness from the eggplant while the juiciness of the ham and melted cheese give it a special softness. The dish can be served as an independent appetizer or used as a main treat. It’s a great option for family dinners or festive tables that will delight even those who are not fans of eggplants.

Energy value per serving

• Calories: 321.3
• Proteins: 18.5g
• Fats: 24.7g
• Carbohydrates: 4.5g

Ingredients

• Eggplants: 1 pc
• Ham: 150 g
• Lambert cheese 50% fat: 200 g
• Paprika: 1 tsp
• Ground dried garlic: 1 tsp
• Mayonnaise: 1 tbsp

Cooking steps

1. We cut the eggplant in half.

   Required ingredients:

   • Eggplants: 1 piece

2. We start heating the pan (medium heat).

3. We cut out the middle, dice the eggplant flesh into medium-sized cubes, and set the 'skins' aside, as we will need them.

   Required ingredients:

   • Eggplants: 1 piece

4. We cut the ham in the same way.

   Required ingredients:

   • Ham: 150 g

5. Pour a little oil into the pan (I used olive oil).

   Required ingredients:

   • Paprika: 1 teaspoon

6. First, we fry the ham until it forms a golden crust on one side and gives off a smell, then we remove it from the pan and place it in a deep bowl.

7. Immediately add the cubed eggplant to the pan, salt them, and add the other spices: garlic powder and paprika. Eggplant absorbs oil well, about 3 tablespoons will be needed for frying.

   Required ingredients:

   • Eggplants: 1 piece
   • Ground dried garlic: 1 teaspoon
   • Paprika: 1 teaspoon
   • Mayonnaise: 1 tablespoon

8. After frying the eggplant (about 2 minutes), place it in a bowl with ham and mix everything with a spoon of mayonnaise (needed for juiciness).

9. Turn on the oven, it should preheat to 180 degrees.

10. We place the mixture in the eggplant skins.

    Required ingredients:

    • Eggplants: 1 piece

11. Grate the cheese and sprinkle it over the eggplants.

    Required ingredients:

    • Lambert cheese 50% fat: 200 g

12. We put the eggplants in the oven for literally 7-10 minutes to melt the cheese and create a crust. Eggplants can also be baked in a multicooker (I did this when I didn't have an oven), but it's very difficult to take them out. Cooking time increases to 12 minutes.

13. It turns out to be a very simple, hearty dish. Even those who don't like eggplants will enjoy it, as its taste is not felt. There's no need to soak the eggplant in water - there will be no bitterness.