Vegetarian Papoutsakia 🩰
A delicious Mediterranean classic with a plant-based twist! 💚✨
Tender roasted eggplants filled with a rich soy bolognese sauce, fresh tomatoes and melted cheese. All the comforting flavours of traditional Greek papoutsakia, made with a delicious vegetarian filling!
🔹 Serves 2 as a main dish or 4 as a side dish
🔶 Ingredients
🔹 2 medium eggplants (steps 2, 4, 5)
🔹 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (step 3)
🔹 Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste (step 3)
🔹 1 tsp dried thyme or a few sprigs of fresh thyme (step 3)
🔹 350 g prepared soy-mince bolognese sauce (step 5)
🔹 2 medium fresh tomatoes, thinly sliced (step 6)
🔹 80 g grated light cheese of your choice (step 6)
🔹 Fresh parsley, finely chopped, for serving (step 8)
🔶 Directions
Preheat the oven to 200°C (fan). Line a baking tray with baking paper.
Cut the eggplants in half lengthwise and remove the stems. Using a sharp knife, score the flesh in a crisscross pattern, being careful not to cut through the skin.
Drizzle the olive oil over the eggplants and season with salt, pepper and thyme. Rub the seasoning gently into the scored flesh.
Place the eggplants cut-side down on the prepared baking tray. Bake for 30–40 minutes, until the flesh becomes soft and tender.
Remove from the oven and transfer the eggplants to an ovenproof baking dish, skin-side down. Gently press the soft flesh with a spoon to create a little space for the filling. Fill each eggplant half generously with the prepared soy bolognese sauce. 👌
Arrange the fresh tomato slices over the filling and sprinkle with the grated light cheese.
Return to the oven and bake for another 10–15 minutes, until the cheese has melted and the top is lightly golden.
Sprinkle with freshly chopped parsley and serve warm!
🔶 Make it your own! 🌟
Here are some ideas to experiment with:
More vegetables: Add finely chopped mushrooms, carrots or bell peppers to your bolognese sauce for extra flavour and fibre.
Mediterranean herbs: Experiment with oregano, basil or marjoram alongside the thyme.
A cheesy twist: Replace part of the grated cheese with crumbled feta for a richer Mediterranean flavour.
A vegan version: Use your favourite plant-based cheese alternative.
💡 Healthy U Tip: Eggplants are a delicious way to add more vegetables and fibre to your meals. Combining them with a soy-based filling provides a satisfying vegetarian dish with plant protein.
Get creative and make this Greek classic your own!
Enjoy! 🍽️
Tags: recipes, vegetarian, Mediterranean, Greek cuisine
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