Eggplant Saganaki

Eggplant Saganaki is a hearty stew with a rich tomato sauce flavored with lots of garlic, onions, melted feta and Kefalotyri cheese.

📝 Ingredients

• 1.5 kg (3.3 pounds) eggplants
• 200 grams (1 large) onion (minced)
• 4-5 large garlic cloves (chopped)
• 500 grams (2 cups) crushed tomatoes
• 2/3 teaspoon smoked paprika
• 1 bay leaf
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley (minced)
• 150 grams (5.3 ounces) feta cheese (crumbled into large chunks )
• 50 grams (7 tablespoons) grated Kefalotyri cheese (see the text above for substitution)
• 500 ml (2 cups) hot water or vegetable stock
• olive oil

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Heat a splash of olive oil in a cooking pot over moderate heat.
2. 2Saute the onion and garlic until golden.
3. 3Pour in the crushed tomatoes, the hot water or stock, the bay leaf, smoked paprika, and season with salt and pepper.
4. 4Simmer the sauce partly covered over moderate heat until thickened. Meanwhile, prepare the eggplant.
5. 5Slice off the tops and bottoms of the eggplant. Cut it in half and then into 2½-3 cm (1-1¼ inch) thick slices.
6. 6Generously coat the bottom of a frying pan with olive oil. Heat over high heat.
7. 7Pan-fry the eggplant slices until deep golden, lightly browned on each side. Only the outer part should soften because the eggplant will cook in the sauce as well. NOTE: Pan-fry in batches, adding more oil before cooking the next batch as necessary. Eggplant soaks oil like a sponge.
8. 8Add the pan-fried eggplant to the cooking pot with the thickened sauce.
9. 9Cook covered, over moderate heat for about 20 minutes until the eggplant softens. If necessary, add a splash of water.
10. 10Stir in the dried oregano, parsley, feta, and Kefalotyri cheese. Turn off the heat and leave the pot on the hot stove for a minute or two until both cheeses soften and melt.
11. 11Serve warm with plenty of crusty bread for dipping.