How to Make Imam Bayildi - A Step-by-Step Guide

Imam Bayildi, a traditional Turkish dish, is a delectable vegetarian recipe that is as sumptuous as its flavorful history. The name "Imam Bayildi" translates to "the Imam fainted" in English, and has an intriguing origin story that dates back to the Ottoman Empire. Legend has it that an Imam fainted from sheer pleasure after tasting this dish, thus giving it its extravagant name.

This mouthwatering recipe features tender, succulent eggplants that are delicately stuffed with a tantaliz...

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Ingredients

  • olive oil for frying
  • 2 large eggplants, cut in 1/2 lengthwise and flesh scored
  • 4 red onions, halved and thinly sliced, or more to taste
  • 3 cloves garlic, minced, or more to taste
  • salt and ground black pepper to taste
  • 2 tomatoes, diced, or more to taste
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley, or to taste
  • 1 tablespoon dry bread crumbs, or to taste
  • 1 tablespoon grated Parmesan cheese, or to taste
  • 1 drizzle olive oil, or as needed

Information

  • Prep Time: 15 mins
  • Cook Time: 1 hr
  • Additional Time: 30 mins
  • Total Time: 1 hr 45 mins
  • Servings: 4
  • Yield: 4 servings

  • Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C).
  • Heat olive oil over medium heat in a large frying pan. Add eggplants, flesh down. Fry, turning frequently, until soft and fully saturated in oil, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a shallow, square baking dish and let cool slightly.
  • While eggplants are cooling, add onions and garlic to the hot frying pan over medium heat, adding more oil if needed. Season with salt and pepper. Fry until onions are softened, 5 to 7 minutes. Add tomatoes and parsley; reduce heat to medium-low and fry lightly, 1 to 2 minutes. Remove from heat.
  • Push down soft, fleshy insides of eggplants using a spoon, creating space inside of them. Pour onion mixture evenly into each half. Sprinkle each with bread crumbs and Parmesan cheese. Drizzle with additional olive oil.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until soft and mushy and topping is crispy, about 40 minutes.
  • Remove from the oven and let sit for 30 minutes to 1 hour before serving.
  • Nutrition

    287 cal.

    • Total Fat: 16g
    • Saturated Fat: 2g
    • Cholesterol: 1mg
    • Sodium: 86mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 35g
    • Dietary Fiber: 14g
    • Total Sugars: 15g
    • Protein: 6g
    • Vitamin C: 27mg
    • Calcium: 86mg
    • Iron: 1mg
    • Potassium: 1138mg