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Kuru patlıcan dolması
Kuru patlıcan dolması: sun-dried aubergines and peppers stuffed with spiced rice and mince, Gaziantep style
Strings of hollowed, sun-dried aubergines and peppers hang in every Gaziantep market, and in winter they are revived in hot water and stuffed with rice, mince, tomato and pepper paste. Simmered with a sour drizzle of pomegranate molasses and lemon, they become tender, slightly chewy parcels with a deep, almost smoky flavour that fresh vegetables can't match. Serve warm with yoghurt. Look for dried aubergines in Turkish and Middle Eastern shops. Common mistake: overfilling them; the rice swells and splits the delicate skins. Chef's tip: blanch them only until pliable, not soft, so they hold their shape through the long simmer.
- Total time
- 95 min
- Difficulty
- medium
- Serves
- 6
Ingredients
For the shells
For the filling
For cooking
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Method
0/7 doneStep 1: Drop 20 dried hollowed aubergines and 10 dried hollowed red peppers into a pan of boiling water for 2–3 minutes, until pliable but not soft. Drain and cool.
5 minStep 2: Mix 7 oz short-grain rice, 9 oz beef or lamb mince, 1 onion, 2 cloves garlic, 1 tbsp tomato paste, 1 tbsp Turkish red pepper paste, 1 tomato, 3 tbsp olive oil, 1 tsp dried mint, 1 tsp pul biber (Aleppo chilli flakes) and 1 tsp salt.
Step 3: Fill each shell about two-thirds full and fold the top over (or press a small piece of tomato into the opening). Common mistake: packing them full; the rice swells and bursts them.
25 minStep 4: Stand them upright and close together in a wide pan and put a small plate on top to hold them down.
Step 5: Stir 1 tbsp tomato paste, 2 tbsp pomegranate molasses and 2 tbsp lemon juice into 2 ½ cups hot water and pour over to come two-thirds of the way up.
Step 6: Bring to the boil, cover and simmer over a low heat for 45–50 minutes, until the rice is tender and the mince is cooked through (160°F). Add a splash of hot water if it runs dry.
50 minStep 7: Rest for 15 minutes in the pan before serving warm with yoghurt.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 330 kcal
- Protein
- 13 g
- Carbs
- 42 g
- Fat
- 12 g
- Fibre
- 6 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does kuru patlıcan dolması take?
- About 95 minutes in total: 45 minutes to prepare and 50 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 6 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it gluten free?
- Yes, as written. Check the labels on stock, sauces and spice mixes, which sometimes contain gluten.
- Can I make it ahead?
- Yes. It keeps well, so you can cook it earlier in the day or the day before and reheat it.
- What can I use instead of short-grain rice?
- Any long-grain rice, same amount.
- What can I use instead of onion?
- 2 shallots per onion.
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