Tomato-Rice Cooked in Olive Oil

(Domates Civesi - Antalya)

1 small onion, sliced
1 small eggplant; peel the skin lengthwise in strips, cut into bite size, soak in 2 cups of water with salt for about 15 minutes, dry with paper towel
1 cubanelle pepper, chopped
1-2 garlic cloves, sliced
3 tbsp rice, rinsed
3 medium-size tomatoes, peeled, diced
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup hot water
Salt

Garnish:
Fresh mint leaves

Saute the onion and peppers with salt and olive oil for 4-5 minutes in a shallow pan at low-medium heat. Add the eggplant, garlic and rice, continue to saute for about 2 more minutes. Cover the vegetables with the tomatoes. Pour the hot water, do not stir! Cover and cook until the rice is soft enough at medium-low heat. Do not open the the lid while it is cooking.

Let it cool down first in the pot. Then, place on a serving platter. Garnish with chopped fresh mint. Serve it at room temperature or chilled.

2 servings.