Papoutsakia

Ready in an hour, Papoutsakia (or stuffed eggplant) is simple, delicious, and filling! I remember having this meal as a child and the name translates to “Little Shoes”, which is the perfect way to describe what these look like. Of course, they taste a lot better than shoes, and they are sure to satisfy everyone around your table!

Papoutsakia

Ingredients

• 1¼ cup olive oil, divided
• 1 yellow onion, chopped
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• Salt and Pepper
• 1 lbs ground beef
• 1 can of diced tomatoes
• 3-4 eggplant
• 2 eggs
• 4 tbsp flour
• 3 cup whole milk
• 1½ cup parmesan cheese, powder
• 1 cup parmesan cheese, shredded

Instructions

• Preheat oven to 400F.
• Heat oil in a large pot.
• Add chopped onions and cook until translucent.
• Add minced garlic and ground beef.
• While the beef mixture cooks, hollow out 3-4 eggplants and set the chopped flesh aside in a large bowl.
• Take the skins and lay them skin down on a baking pan, sprinkle with salt and pepper, and drizzle with 2 tbsp olive oil.
• Cook in the oven for 10 minutes, then set the oven to broil and leave them in another 10 minutes.
• While those are cooking in the oven, add the diced tomatoes to the ground beef mixture along with salt and pepper.
• Add the chopped eggplant, then cover and let simmer on low-medium heat for 20-25 minutes.
• While that’s cooking, (don’t forget to check your eggplant!) make the Bechamel sauce.
• In a medium saucepan, add ¼ cup of olive oil or unsalted butter.
• Add the flour, milk, and parmesan cheese and stir continuously until it is thickened. Set aside.
• Scramble the eggs and stir them into to the ground beef mixture and set the oven temperature to 375F.
• Fill the eggplant skins with the ground beef mixture and top with Bechamel sauce. Sprinkle some shredded parmesan on the top.
• Bake for 10-12 minutes (or until the tops are golden brown).
• Serve with salad (or the side of your choice) and enjoy!

Did you make this recipe?

Please let me know how it turned out for you! Leave a comment below and tag @yiamaswithyiayia on Instagram and hashtag it #yiamaswithyiayia.