Meat Sauce and Eggplant Doria

INGREDIENTS:

• Rice (cooked) 300 g (10-1/2 oz.)

• Ground beef 80 g (2-3/4 oz.)

• Small eggplants (aubergines) 2 (about 160 g / 5-1/2 oz.)

• Vegetable oil 1 Tbsp

• Butter 1 tsp

• Del Monte canned tomatoes 400 g (about 14 oz.)

• Bouillon 1 cube

• Shredded cheese 40 g (about 1-1/2 oz.)

• Bay leaf 1

(A)

• Soy Sauce 2 tsp

• Sugar 1/2 tsp

• Salt pinch

• White pepper pinch

STEPS:

1. Cut the eggplant into slices roughly 4 mm (about 1/16 in.) thick. Dry the pieces of eggplant with a paper towel, removing excess moisture.

2. Heat the vegetable oil in a pan, then add the eggplant and brown slightly before removing them.

3. Put the butter into the pan and cook the ground beef until browned. Return the eggplant to the pan along with the tomatoes. Then add the bouillon cube and bay leaf.

4. When brought to a boil, bring the heat to low and skim the top while mixing frequently for the next 7 to 8 minutes. Add the seasonings listed under (A) to the pot.

5. Place rice into a casserole dish or other oven-safe dish, then cover the rice with the contents of the pan. Cover the top with a layer of shredded cheese and then put the dish into a toaster oven, setting the toaster timer for 6 to 8 minutes. To prevent any burnt sections, lightly cover the dish with aluminum foil before placing into the oven.