Stuffed Dried Eggplants & Peppers with Beef

(Etli Kuru Patlıcan-Biber Dolması)

~ 6 dried eggplants
~ 6 dried peppers
~ 2 cups hot water
1 tbsp butter, in small pieces

Filling:
~200 g medium ground beef
1 small onion, grated
4 tbsp rice, washed, drained
1 tbsp red pepper paste
2-3 tbsp tomato paste
4-5 tbsp water
1/2 tsp red pepper flakes (crushed red pepper)
Salt
Pepper

Soak the dried eggplants in hot water for half an hour and drain. Meanwhile, mix all the filling ingredients with a tablespoon in a bowl. Stuff the eggplants with the filling using the teaspoon. Leave some space at the top. Squeeze the tops of the eggplants to close them up.


Arrange the eggplants in a medium-sized pot. Pour 2 cups of water all over them. Cover and cook at medium-low heat until a little juice is left. If necessary, add more hot water.

Sprinkle butter pieces over the top. Cover and let the dish settle. Serve it with Garlic Yogurt Sauce.

Makes 3-4 servings.

*You can find the dried eggplants, dried pepper or dried okra at local Turkish Grocery Stores.