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food blog

June 15, 2016

Roasted Eggplant Boats with 7-spice Ground Beef, Pomegranate & Feta Cheese

Eggplant is one of my all time favourite vegetables ever. It’s smoky, creamy, and goes really well with minced beef or lamb. When combined with aromatics of thyme or za’atar, which is a wild oregano commonly found and used throughout the middle-east, it’s out of this world!

alislami-eggplant-groundbeef-pomegranate-feta_v3

The thing about eggplant is that it has quite a high water content, and tends to absorb quite a bit of liquid. If you’ve ever tried to just lightly pan-fry eggplant, don’t be surprised if you feel like you’ve used up half a bottle of your vegetable oil. These guys soak up oil like a sponge! To help reduce this scenario, I usually do two things:

  1. I first salt the sliced eggplant pieces to help draw out the moisture and bitterness from the seeds, then squeeze the excess juice away.
  2. Instead of frying, I always opt for roasting it. Not only does it create a delicious charred flavour, but you really only need to drizzle it a bit with oil and let the roasting do it’s magic.

This dish is finished with juicy and sweet bits of pomegranate, salty feta cheese, crunchy pine nuts, and a spicy bite from arugula… It makes a wonderful side dish or appetiser, and looks gorgeous on a long platter.

Check out the video of my hands in action making this dish for Al Islami Foods.

https://youtu.be/dCs8hafFkm8

Roasted Eggplant Boats with 7-spice Ground Beef, Pomegranate & Feta Cheese

Created by Roya on June 3, 2016

This recipe was developed for Al Islami Foods.

  • Prep Time: 30m
  • Cook Time: 1h
  • Total Time: 1h 30m
  • Category: Lunch & Dinner, Salads & Sides

Ingredients

Al Islami Ground Beef

  • 1 pack (400g), Al Islami Ground Beef
  • 1 piece, medium red onion
  • 2 cloves, garlic
  • 2 TBS, olive oil
  • 1 tsp, seven spice mix
  • 1 tsp, turmeric
  • 1 tsp, sumac
  • 1 tsp, dried thyme
  • 1 TBS, pomegranate molasses
  • 1 tsp, salt and pepper

Eggplant

  • 5 – 6 pieces medium (1kg), eggplants
  • 1/4 cup, olive oil
  • 1 TBS, salt sprigs of fresh thyme
  • 1 piece, pomegranate seeded
  • 3 TBS, feta cheese
  • 3 TBS, toasted pine nuts
  • 2 – 3 TBS, pomegranate molasses
  • 1 cup, Greek yoghurt

Instructions

Al Islami Ground Beef

  1. Heat up a large non – stick pan, add the olive oil and defrosted Al Islami Ground Beef, brown the meat for 5 – 7 minutes over medium heat.
  2. Add finely chopped onions and garlic, seven spice mix, turmeric, salt and pepper and cook for another 5 – 8 minutes (until onion has softened and meat is fully cooked).
  3. Stir in sumac, dried thyme and pomegranate molasses, and cook for a further minute
  4. Transfer the mixture to a bowl.

Eggplant

  1. Slice the eggplants in half lengthwise, keep the top stems intact. With the tip of a knife, score the flesh in a diamond cross – hatch pattern halfway deep.
  2. Press open the cuts and sprinkle the eggplant halves with the salt. Set aside for 30 minutes.
  3. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius, line a baking tray with parchment paper.
  4. Gently squeeze the eggplant to remove the salty water, patting them dry with a paper towel. Brush the eggplant, top and bottom with olive oil and top each with fresh sprigs of thyme.
  5. Place the eggplants on the baking tray and roast for 45 minutes, or until they have softened and cooked through.

Serve the eggplants onto a platter, top each one with a ground beef mixture, fresh pomegranate seeds, crumbled feta cheese and toasted pine nuts. Drizzle with pomegranate molasses. Garnish with rocket leaves and serve with a side of Greek yoghurt.

    • Print

    Note: Earlier this year in April, I had the opportunity to work with Al Islami Foods; one of UAE’s pioneering food production companies that specialises in halal chicken and frozen foods since the 80’s. The project involved developing recipes using their food products in time for the holy month of Ramadan.

    This delicious dish was made using Al-Islami’s ground beef. However, for anyone without access to this particular brand (living abroad), you may still use alternative ground beef or lamb from your local grocer or butcher.

    For more info on this project collaboration, check out the relevant posts related to the Al Islami Recipe Development & Food Styling and the amazing Kitchen on Ice event!

    Filed Under: Lunch & Dinner, Salads & Sides

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    Hey Friends,

    I'm Roya. A food creative with a passion for cooking, photographing and styling food for a delicious living Read More…

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    Happy New Year my friends. I’m going to keep t Happy New Year my friends. 

I’m going to keep this short and sweet and say THANK YOU for sticking around, being my cheerleaders, and having a genuine interest in what shows up on this feed.
🙏🙏🙏
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Whether it's been for small glimpses into my personal life, cooking escapades with my family, photography assignments that challenged me, or behind the scenes of commissioned projects here and there.
❤🧡💛💚💙💜
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This evening I’ll be spending it at home being extremely grateful that I'll be surrounded by my lovely blended family. Boris and his warm-hearted children, my mom and her newfound love… as we BBQ in the garden, enjoy so much of this bountiful harvest, and play board games to end the night.
🌶🥕🍄🧅🥦🍆
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Wishing you all much love, health, and I hope a brighter 2021. 

Roya x
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#emiratesbiofarm #foodphotoshoot #foodiegram #eatpretty #foodartblog #wherewomencreate 
#foodartblogger #visualstorytelling #holidaybaking #feedyoursoul #foodgawker #foooodieee #instafood #foodfluffer #beautifulcuisines #pinkladysnapsdec20 #hautescuisines #hautescuisines_global @hautescuisines @pinkladyappleuk @foodphotoaward @foodartblog @beautifulcuisines @pinkladyappleuk @foodphotoaward
    Can't believe its been a year since this collab wi Can't believe its been a year since this collab with my dear friend Malavika @peaceofbake, were we produced a recipe and ceramics collection booklet for the holidays that we called; Festive Treats.
🎄🎄🎄
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With over 125+ downloads in the 2 weeks it was available, driving traffic for ceramic purchases and custom-made orders for Mal, and serving as an additional portfolio piece that helped me book a couple of food styling and recipe jobs this year. A small victory that helped solidify the value in meaningful and intentional partnerships with like-minded creatives that was created with intent, purpose, and was beneficial to BOTH of our businesses.
🎄🎄🎄
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I've been working on launching a new service in March 2021 that can help other food creatives land projects they love... while I'm still working on all the bells and whistles to go with it, its something that I've been wanting to put out there for sometime 🙏.
🎄🎄🎄
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In the meantime, hope you love this snow white and berry mulled wine pavlova as much as I do. 

Wishing you all a wonderful Christmas. 
Roya x
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#pavlova #christmasrecipes #christmasbaking #holidaydesserts #mulledwine #beautifulcuisines #pinkladysnapsdec20 #hautescuisines #hautescuisines_global @hautescuisines @pinkladyappleuk @foodphotoaward @canonme @foodartblog @beautifulcuisines @foodphotoaward @cuisine_creations
    Winter Harvest Salad. ⁠ Hey friends! Trying some Winter Harvest Salad.
⁠
Hey friends! Trying something new here. A recipe carousel post with actual instructions! How do we like these?

I do have a video of this recipe that I'm putting together for IGTV as I feel like I need to get in with the times. Don't even get me started on reels. I'm not touching it yet! 😅.

Now onto this perfectly festive salad as I'm SUCH a huge lover of fall and winter salads as there's something magical when earthy and root vegetables roast in the oven… the flavors concentrate and the natural sugars caramelize, making them delicious to use as side dishes alongside main roasts.⁠
🥕🥕🥕

⁠This salad hits the spot with roasted butternut squash, beetroot, and turnip on a bed of freekeh and kale, dressed in a balsamic-honey-orange vinaigrette, and topped with salty feta and crunchy pecans.
🎄🎄🎄

Stay tuned for the video this weekend.

developed and shot for @emiratesbiofarm
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#emiratesbiofarm #foodphotoshoot #foodiegram #eatpretty #foodphotographyandstyling #foodphotographer #foodphotography #foodstylist #darkfoodphoto #raw_kitchen #foodartproject #moodygrams #foodfluffer #foodartblog #hautecuisines #wherewomencreate #stilllifefoodphotography #dubaifoodphotography #dubaifoodblogger #foodartblog #foodblogfeed #creativityfound #cuisine_creations #ihavethisthingfordarkness #still_life_mood #darkfoodphotography #foodartblogger #visualstorytelling #beautifulcuisines #pinkladysnapsdec20 @foodartblog @beautifulcuisines @pinkladyappleuk @foodphotoaward @cuisine_creations @thefeedfeed #feedfeed
    Hey friends! So thrilled to finally share the news Hey friends! So thrilled to finally share the news of my recent partnership with the UAE'S largest privately owned organic farm @emiratesbiofarm. I've been getting my hands nice and dirty out here the past month with the amazing team as I learn, photograph, and share all the things that make this place special.
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The produce is simply stunning, fresh, and flavourful. The variety is abundant, and almost everything is locally grown, with some special items coming in from Lebanon as organic farmers support one another.
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Watching how farmers grow new crops out in the fields and greenhouses, to their traditional hand-picked harvesting methods, and how produce is properly handled, packed, and sent out for markets and home deliveries (within 24 hours of harvest!!) is truly admirable.
👨‍🌾👨‍🌾👨‍🌾

Learning about biodiversity and how the ecosystem is taking care of itself and thriving out here in the desert is really inspiring, as no form of chemicals, herbicides, or pesticides are ever used.
🐝🐝🐝

Ofcourse, being a "green thumb" experimenter and food lover myself, there's so much to relish in. My favourite part has been working with gorgeous seasonal and organic produce to develop simple home-made recipes which I'll be sharing with you in between!
🍆🍆🍆

But, most importantly, I’ve been documenting your favourite farm girl, Megan, as she shares all her nuggets of farm wisdom on stories. And since the farm is still not yet open to visitors due to border restrictions, I'm helping the team bring the farm to you!

So tune in every day @emiratesbiofarm to see what's happening out on the fields, the latest seasonal harvests, and special home delivery box offers!
🌻🌻🌻

Looking forward to share more with you throughout the weeks, I'll see you on the field!

Much love,
Roya x
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#emiratesbiofarm #organicfarming #freshproduce #localfarms #organicuae #organicdubai #farmlife #eatorganic #foodphotoshoot #foodiegram #eatpretty #foodphotographer #foodphotography #foodstylist #foodartproject #wherewomencreate #dubaifoodblogger #foodartblog #foodblogfeed #creativityfound #foodartblogger #visualstorytelling
    Hey friends! I’m still alive and kickin’! And Hey friends! I’m still alive and kickin’! And hope you've all been well.

You know I really find it fascinating and super sweet that whenever one goes a bit MIA for some time on this platform, you get these lovely messages from friends and family being genuinely concerned if all is OK. Especially this year, when everything has just been so worrisome and unpredictable.
🙏🙏🙏
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Truth is I’ve been finding it challenging to manage all my projects, and be more consistent on here sharing both personal and work stuff. But after studying the business side of things, I just had to be real with myself and get some help via an assistant to either help me out on photoshoots, or type out my random hand-scribbled recipes notes!
😅😅😅

In other words, there’s a lot to be done, a lot to share, including some REALLY EXCITING NEWS that I can’t wait to share with you suuuuper soon! hint hint… this pumpkin was a big part of it all!
🍁🍂🍁
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To all my family and friends in the U.S… Happy Thanksgiving! Do send me a virtual turkey dinner will you?!
🦃🦃🦃
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Thanks for sticking around guys.

Much love,
Roya
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submitting to @vaimomatskuu for #texthursdays
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#foodphotoshoot #foodiegram #eatpretty #foodphotographyandstyling #foodphotographer #foodphotography #foodstylist #darkfoodphoto #raw_kitchen #foodartproject #moodygrams #foodfluffer #foodartblog #hautecuisines #wherewomencreate #stilllifefoodphotography #dubaifoodphotography #dubaifoodblogger #foodartblog #foodblogfeed #creativityfound #cuisine_creations #ihavethisthingfordarkness #still_life_mood #darkfoodphotography #foodartblogger #visualstorytelling #moodygrams #beautifulcuisines #pinkladysnapsnov20 @foodartblog @beautifulcuisines @pinkladyappleuk @foodphotoaward @cuisine_creations
    dolmat lahana, malfouf, cabbage rolls. A dish tha dolmat lahana, malfouf, cabbage rolls.

A dish that's so common yet so diverse throughout Europe, Western Asia, and the Middle-East. With variations on the size, filling types, how its rolled, the sauce it's cooked in, and if its eaten hot or cold!
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But one thing that holds true is that this wintery dish is delicious and unique to the cook who makes them, as no two pots are ever the same, that's for sure!
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This version i ended up experimenting with turned into a cross between an Iraqi and Palestinian version 😊... with a combination of short grain rice, minced lamb, onions, mixed baharat spices, and PLENTY of herbs dill, parsley, and mint. Simmered in a broth of olive oil, lemon, garlic, and cumin.
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The cabbage turns into this melt in your mouth tenderness and the flavours compliment one another perfectly. I personally love them the next day as they're even tastier, even cold, straight out of the fridge 🥰.
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Submitting this dish as part of the Olive Oil campaign where recipes, memories, and stories are being shared. An initiative hosted @chefindisguise and @nadiatommalieh. This weeks’ theme was dedicated to main meals.
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Sharing recipe stories later this evening.

What ingredients are in your cabbage rolls?
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#dolma #cabbage #cabbagerolls #itsoliveoilseason #simply_oliveoil #الزيت_عماد_البيت #arabicfood #feedfeed #foodgawker #wherewomencreate #stilllifefoodphotography #dubaifoodphotography #dubaifoodblogger #foodartblog #feedyoursoul #foodblogfeed #creativityfound #cuisine_creations #makeitdelicious #ihavethisthingfordarkness #still_life_mood  #foodphotographyandstyling #darkfoodphotography #foodartblogger #visualstorytelling #moodygrams #beautifulcuisines #pinkladysnapsnov20 @foodartblog @beautifulcuisines @pinkladyappleuk @foodphotoaward @thefeedfeed @cuisine_creations
    Hindbeh... also known as Dandelion greens, is easi Hindbeh... also known as Dandelion greens, is easily one of my absolute favourite Levantine side dishes EVER. A seasonal green that I order everytime we dine at a Lebanese restaurant, making it a must on the mezze spread.
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I had just seen Rasha on @mykitchenvibes prepare it with her lovely mom in Lebanon and asked her where I can find it locally in Dubai. Coincidentally enough, @emiratesbiofarm started showing stories on their locally-grown organic hindbeh and I knew it was fate... I just had to make an order.
🌱🌱🌱
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So simple to prepare blanched then sautéed with olive oil, onions, garlic, salt and pepper. Drizzled with lemon juice and topped with crunchy fried onions, and eaten with flatbread. Thats it! It's humble yet heavenly, seriously.
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Can't wait to show you the final dish with stories soon as I ate the whole thing MYSELF 🤯... well... along with @curlywurly_photo as she was my taste tester today! 😄
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Who else loves this?!
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sharing to #itsoliveoilseason #simply_oliveoil and #الزيت_عماد_البيت @chefindisguise @nadiatommalieh

And november story challenge #novemberstorychallenge by @healthygoodiesbylucia and @cupcakeree
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#hindbeh #lebanesefood #emiratesbiofarm #dandelionleaves #dandelion #healthyrecipe #arabicfood #feedfeed #foodgawker #wherewomencreate #stilllifefoodphotography #dubaifoodphotography #dubaifoodblogger #foodartblog #feedyoursoul #foodblogfeed #creativityfound #foodphotographyandstyling #darkfoodphotography #foodartblogger #visualstorytelling #moodygrams #beautifulcuisines #pinkladysnapsnov20 @foodartblog @beautifulcuisines @pinkladyappleuk @foodphotoaward @thefeedfeed @cuisine_creations #cuisine_creations
    I was hoping this blue-hearted B will come in hand I was hoping this blue-hearted B will come in handy one day! I mean, what are the odds?! 😊
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CONGRATU-FRIKIN-LATIONS to my home away from home! 🇺🇲 May the next 4 years bring about necessary change, justice, love, empathy and healing that's desperately needed in this country.

Cheers to Democracy. Onwards and upwards 🙏.
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#bidenharris2020 #icecream #bakersofig #2020election #democracy #voted #feedfeed #foodgawker #wherewomencreate #stilllifefoodphotography #dubaifoodphotography #dubaifoodblogger #onourcreativetable #foodartblog #feedyoursoul #foodblogfeed #creativityfound #foodphotographyandstyling #makeitdelicious #ihavethisthingfordarkness #darkfoodphotography #foodartblogger #visualstorytelling #moodygrams #still_life_mood #beautifulcuisines #hautescuisines #pinkladysnapsnov20 @foodartblog @beautifulcuisines @hautescuisines @pinkladyappleuk @foodphotoaward
    Ash-e Reshteh A Persian herb, noodle and legume s Ash-e Reshteh

A Persian herb, noodle and legume soup that is all sorts of warm delicious comfort in a bowl. It’s that kind of soup that’s eaten like a stew, as it’s hearty, thick and perfect for cold days.
🌱🌱🌱
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Typically served during Nowruz when spring is celebrated with its abundance of harvested greens like spinach, dill, parsley, chives, and mint that go into making this beauty. But with such greens grown year-round throughout the neighboring Gulf states, it can easily be enjoyed during the cooler Autumn and Winter season.
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What makes this herbaceous soup truly authentic lies in a few specialty ingredients. The first being ‘Reshteh’… a salty type of flat wheat-based noodle that is cooked directly in the soup, lending its starch to thicken and soak up all the goodness.
🌾🌾🌾
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The second being ‘Kashk’… a thick fermented sour yogurt that gives the soup its distinct umami flavor. You either love it or hate it! 😅 However, because of this disparity, a lot of cooks opt to leave Kashk out and serve it on the side as a condiment, alongside vinegar as a substitute.

Finally, garnishing with sliced garlic, crispy onions, and mint fried gently in olive oil, this soup is truly a symphony of aromas, textures, and flavors.
🧅🧄🧅🧄🧅

Submitting this dish as part of the Olive Oil campaign where recipes, memories, and stories are being shared. An initiative hosted @chefindisguise and @nadiatommalieh. This weeks’ theme was dedicated to soups, spreads, and dips!

Also sharing to:

November Story Challenge
#novemberstorychallenge by @healthygoodiesbylucia and @cupcakeree

Comfort Food to @onourcreativetable by @haniyeh.nikoo @violaminerva @bakingmydays @lionelandhetta @story_on_a_plate_ @berryhunting @panyaskitchen

#texthursdays @vaimomatskuu

Recipe stories coming soon.

much love,
Roya
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#itsoliveoilseason #simply_oliveoil #الزيت_عماد_البيت
    Strangely finding myself falling more in love with Strangely finding myself falling more in love with baking this season.
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While my feed is displaying beautiful takes on Halloween, pumpkin pies, and layered cakes, I still find myself relishing in the simplicity and ease of mix-everything-in-one-bowl type of batters! 🤷‍♀️
🍁🍁🍁
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Call me slow-ro, but my favourite ones still very much hovering around banana nut loafs and carrot cakes like this. But currently working on new flavour combinations that are very much influenced by the fruits and spices we use in our cooking. More on that sooon...
😍🥕🍊🫒
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But what about you guys... Do you have a favourite go-to bundt or loaf cake? And what about flavour profiles? Do you stick to the classics, or love to experiment with wild flavours?
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Comfort food image submission to @onourcreativetable by @haniyeh.nikoo @violaminerva @bakingmydays @lionelandhetta @story_on_a_plate_ @berryhunting @panyaskitchen
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#carrotcake #bakersofinstagram #comfortfood #autumnmood #feedfeed #foodgawker #wherewomencreate #stilllifefoodphotography #dubaifoodphotography #dubaifoodblogger #onourcreativetable #foodartblog #feedyoursoul #foodblogfeed #creativityfound #foodphotographyandstyling #makeitdelicious #foodartblogger #visualstorytelling #moodygrams #still_life_mood #beautifulcuisines #hautescuisines #pinkladysnapsnov20 @foodartblog @beautifulcuisines @hautescuisines @pinkladyappleuk @foodphotoaward
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    I'm Roya. A food creative with a passion for cooking, photographing and styling food for a delicious living. Read More…

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