İslim Kebabı with Beef Filling

Ingredients

• 3 eggplants
• Salt
• Olive oil
• 130 grams small cubed beef
• 1 small diced onion
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 1 shredded tomato
• 1 slice pepper (for garnish)
• 1 slice tomato (for garnish)
• Toothpicks
• Warm water (for sauce)
• Turkish rice pilav (for serving)

Steps

1. 1.Peel 3 strips on each eggplant, soak in salted water for 15 minutes, then dry with paper towel.
2. 2.Pour salt and olive oil on eggplants, then bake (or fry) until soft but not crispy.
3. 3.Sauté 130g cubed beef in 3 tbsp olive oil, then add diced onion and sauté well.
4. 4.Add garlic, 1 tbsp tomato paste, and shredded tomato to the beef mixture; stir and simmer on low heat.
5. 5.Form a '+' with two baked eggplant slices, place meat filling inside, and fold as shown.
6. 6.Garnish each kebab with a slice of pepper and tomato, secured with a toothpick.
7. 7.Place kebabs in a baking dish, pour tomato paste & warm water mixture over them, and bake until eggplants are fully cooked.
8. 8.Serve with Turkish rice pilav.