Dried Eggplant Dish

(Kuru Patlıcan Aşı - Sinop - Black Sea Region)

~150 g extra lean ground beef
1 tbsp butter + 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 medium onion, sliced
1 tbsp tomato paste
5-6 dried eggplants
2-3 dried tomatoes
1-2 tbsp rice, rinsed
1/2 cup warm water
Salt
Pepper

Garlic Yogurt Sauce:
1/2 cup yogurt, plain, at room temperature
1-2 garlic cloves, mashed with salt

First, soak the dried vegetables in hot water for half an hour and drain.

Meanwhile, saute the onion and ground beef with olive oil and butter. When the ground beef is cooked, add the tomato paste, salt and pepper. Continue to saute for 1-2 more minutes. Then add the dried vegetables, rice and warm water. Cover and cook until the rice is done at medium-low heat.

Serve it with Garlic Yogurt Sauce.