Pampas Toasted Rice Bake with Cumin Beef, Roasted Eggplant, and Criollo Cheese Cloud

Instructions

1. 1

   1. Preheat the oven to 220 °C / 425 °F. Place the eggplant on a baking tray and toss it with 15 ml (1 tbsp) olive oil, 2 g (1/4 tsp) salt, and a pinch of black pepper. Roast for 20 minutes, stirring halfway through, until golden and tender.

2. 2

   2. Meanwhile, in a medium saucepan, dry-toast the white rice over medium heat for 2 minutes, stirring, until it smells nutty. Add the water and 2 g (1/4 tsp) salt. Once it boils, lower the heat, cover, and cook for 15 minutes until the liquid is absorbed. Turn off the heat and let it rest for 5 minutes.

3. 3

   3. Lower the oven temperature to 190 °C / 375 °F. In a large skillet, heat 15 ml (1 tbsp) olive oil over medium heat. Add the onion and red bell pepper and cook for 6 minutes until softened. Stir in the garlic, ground cumin, sweet paprika, and dried oregano; cook 1 minute more.

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   4. Add the ground beef, breaking it up with a spoon. Cook for 8 to 10 minutes until no longer pink and lightly browned. Add the crushed tomato, green olives, 2 g (1/4 tsp) salt, and the remaining black pepper. Cook for 5 minutes until the filling is juicy but not watery.

5. 5

   5. Remove the skillet from the heat and fold in the roasted eggplant and half of the fresh parsley. Mix well and adjust salt if needed.

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   6. Grease an დაახლოებით 30 x 20 cm baking dish with the butter and coat the base and sides with breadcrumbs. Spread the cooked toasted rice evenly, pressing lightly to form a compact base.

7. 7

   7. Spoon the beef and eggplant filling over the rice and level it with a spoon.

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   8. In a bowl, whisk the eggs with the milk and cornstarch until smooth. Add the grated criollo cheese and the remaining fresh parsley. Pour this mixture over the filling to cover the surface evenly.

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   9. Bake at 190 °C / 375 °F for 25 minutes, or until the cheese-and-egg topping is puffed, golden, and set in the center.

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    10. Let it rest for 5 minutes before slicing. Serve hot so the toasted rice base, cumin beef filling, and gratinéed criollo cheese cloud remain clearly layered.