Sheikh el Mahshi (Lamb-Stuffed Aubergines in Tomato Sauce)
111 min · 10 steps
Hard: over 60 min or 12+ steps
About this dish
Aubergine shells are filled with spiced minced lamb, pine nuts and onion, then baked in a light tomato sauce until completely tender — a Levantine stuffed vegetable dish eaten with cooling yogurt.
Allergy Info
Dairy, Tree Nuts
Diet Info
Meat
Ingredients
Fresh Produce
- Auberginessmall, halved lengthways4
- Onionfinely chopped1
- Garlic clovescrushed3
- Tomatoeschopped, for the sauce400 g
Meat & Poultry
- Minced Lamb500 g
Dairy & Eggs
- Full-Fat Plain Yogurtto serve200 g
Tins & Jars
- Tomato paste2 tbsp
Dried Goods
- Pine nuts40 g
Spices & Seasonings
- Ground Allspice1 tsp
- Ground cinnamon0.5 tsp
- Fine sea salt1.5 tsp
- Black pepper0.5 tsp
Oils & Condiments
- Extra-virgin olive oil3 tbsp
Utensils
- Frying pan
- Baking tray
- Sharp knife
- Chopping board
- Mixing bowl
- Meat thermometer
Method
Halve the aubergines lengthways and scoop out some of the flesh to leave a shell about one centimetre thick, then finely chop the scooped-out flesh.
Heat half the olive oil in a frying pan and fry the aubergine shells, cut side down, until lightly golden, then transfer them to a baking tray.
Add the onion and the chopped aubergine flesh to the same pan and cook until softened.
Stir in the minced lamb and cook, breaking it up with a spoon, until browned.
Add the garlic, pine nuts, allspice, cinnamon, half the salt and half the pepper, and cook briefly until fragrant, then remove from the heat.
Spoon the lamb mixture into the aubergine shells, mounding it slightly.
Heat the remaining olive oil in the same pan and cook the chopped tomatoes with the tomato paste and remaining salt and pepper until it forms a loose sauce.
Pour the tomato sauce around the stuffed aubergines on the tray.
Cover the tray tightly with foil and bake until the aubergines are completely tender and the filling reaches at least 71°C on a meat thermometer.
Uncover and bake for a few more minutes until the sauce has reduced slightly, then serve with the yogurt alongside.