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İmam Bayıldı

İmam Bayıldı is a classic Turkish aubergine dish with onion, tomato, garlic and olive oil. Serve it warm or cold.

Tid1 hour 10 minutes
Servings4
DifficultyMedium
RegionAegean

About this dish

İmam Bayıldı is a classic Turkish aubergine dish with onion, tomato, garlic and olive oil. Serve it warm or cold.

Ingredients

  • 4 aubergines
  • 3 onions, thinly sliced
  • 3 tomatoes, finely chopped
  • 4 garlic cloves, finely chopped
  • 100 ml olive oil
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp black pepper
  • 1/2 tsp pul biber or chili flakes
  • 1 small bunch parsley, finely chopped
  • Juice of 1/2 lemon
  • 100 ml water

Instructions

  1. Peel the aubergines in stripes and make one long cut in each aubergine.
  2. Place the aubergines in salted water for 20 minutes. Dry them well afterwards.
  3. Heat half of the olive oil in a pan and lightly fry the aubergines on all sides.
  4. Remove the aubergines and place them in an oven dish.
  5. Add the rest of the olive oil to the pan and cook the onions over medium heat until soft.
  6. Add the garlic, tomatoes, sugar, salt, black pepper and pul biber.
  7. Let the filling simmer for 10 minutes. Stir in the parsley and lemon juice.
  8. Fill the aubergines with the tomato and onion mixture.
  9. Pour the water into the dish and bake at 180 degrees for 30–35 minutes.

Tips

  • Let the dish rest before serving. The flavour improves after a short rest.
  • Use ripe tomatoes for the best result.
  • Do not hold back too much on the olive oil. It is important for the flavour.
  • Serve İmam Bayıldı warm or cold with bread, yoghurt or as part of a meze table.