Eggplants stuffed with risotto and melting cheese heart

I can provide you with a recipe to prepare eggplants stuffed with risotto and a melting cheese heart, a rich and tasty dish that combines the sweetness of roasted eggplants with the creaminess of the rice and the savoriness of the melting cheese. Here’s an Italian twist on the recipe:

Ingredients

• 2 large eggplants
• 150 g of Arborio or Carnaroli rice
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, chopped
• 400 ml of tomato puree
• 150 g of mozzarella or other melting cheese of choice, cut into cubes
• 40 g of grated Parmesan cheese
• Extra virgin olive oil
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh basil to taste
• 1/2 glass of white wine (optional)
• Vegetable broth as needed

Preparation

1. Wash the eggplants and cut them in half lengthwise. With a spoon, hollow out the flesh leaving a thickness of about 1 cm. Set aside the eggplant flesh to use later.
2. Salt the inside of the eggplants and leave them to rest upside down for about 30 minutes to lose their bitterness.
3. In the meantime, in a pan, fry the onion and garlic in extra virgin olive oil until the onion becomes translucent.
4. Add the chopped eggplant flesh and sauté for a few minutes. Add the rice and toast for a couple of minutes.
5. Deglaze with white wine, if using, and let it evaporate.
6. Add the tomato puree and cook the rice by gradually adding the vegetable broth until it is cooked (about 18 minutes), stirring occasionally.
7. Preheat the oven to 180 °C.
8. Dry the eggplants with kitchen paper and, if necessary, cut a strip from the bottom to make them stand upright. Arrange them in a slightly oiled baking dish.
9. Fill the eggplants with the rice and insert the cubes of melting cheese among the rice.
10. Sprinkle with grated Parmesan and a drizzle of oil.
11. Bake in the oven for about 30 minutes or until the eggplants are tender and the cheese is melting.
12. Serve hot garnished with fresh basil leaves.

Fun Facts

Stuffed eggplants are a specialty found in various parts of the Mediterranean and the Middle East. In this variant with rice, the Italian cuisine meets with its tradition of creamy risottos and love for melting cheese. Each family has its own personal version of this dish, which can vary by including minced meat, different vegetables, or exotic spices for a personal touch.

You can serve the stuffed eggplants with risotto alongside a fresh green salad or a side dish of grilled vegetables for a complete meal. Enjoy your meal!