Criollo Eggplant, Cumin Beef and Chickpea Mash Pie with Golden Cheese

Name: Criollo Eggplant, Cumin Beef and Chickpea Mash Pie with Golden Cheese
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 85 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Argentina
Ingredients: 18 oz large eggplant; 14 oz ground beef; 1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas; 10.5 oz potato; 1 1/4 cups onion; 1 cup red bell pepper; 3 cloves garlic; 3/4 cup tomato purée; 1 cup grated queso criollo or mozzarella; 1/3 cup milk; 3 tbsp olive oil; 2 tsp sweet paprika; 1 tsp ground cumin; 1 tsp dried oregano; 2 tbsp fresh parsley; 1 1/2 tbsp butter; 1 tbsp red wine vinegar; 1 1/2 tsp salt; 1/2 tsp black pepper

An Argentine-inspired individual pie layered with smoky eggplant, sautéed beef with onion, bell pepper, and cumin, topped with a rustic chickpea and potato mash, then finished with broiled cheese. Criollo flavors, creamy texture, and golden edges.

35 minPrep

50 minCook

85 minTotal

4Servings

High Protein

Ingredients

Adjust servings

500 g large eggplant (cut into 1/2-inch slices)
400 g ground beef (preferably with some fat)
240 g cooked chickpeas (drained)
300 g potato (peeled and cubed)
180 g onion (chopped)
140 g red bell pepper (chopped)
9 g garlic (minced)
180 ml tomato purée (unsweetened)
120 g grated queso criollo or mozzarella (for topping)
80 ml milk (for the mash)
45 ml olive oil (divided)
4 g sweet paprika (divided)
3 g ground cumin
2 g dried oregano
8 g fresh parsley (chopped)
20 g butter (for the mash)
15 ml red wine vinegar
8 g salt (or to taste)
2 g black pepper (freshly ground)

Nutrition facts

per serving

512 kcal

Calories

29 g

Protein

29 g

Carbs

30 g

Fat

8 g

Fiber

21 g

Net carbs

Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.

Allergens

Dairy

Instructions

1
1. Preheat the oven to 220 °C / 425 °F. Arrange the eggplant slices on a baking sheet, brush with 2 tablespoons of the olive oil, and season with 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon black pepper, and 1 teaspoon of the sweet paprika. Roast for 20 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden and tender.
2
2. Meanwhile, cook the potato in salted water for 15 to 18 minutes, until very tender. Drain and keep warm.
3
3. Heat 1 tablespoon of the olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Sauté the onion and red bell pepper for 6 to 8 minutes until softened. Add the garlic and cook 1 minute more.
4
4. Add the ground beef and cook for 6 to 8 minutes, breaking it up with a spoon, until no longer pink. Stir in the cumin, oregano, the remaining 1 teaspoon sweet paprika, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and the remaining black pepper.
5
5. Add the tomato purée and red wine vinegar. Cook over medium-low heat for 8 to 10 minutes until the filling is moist but thick. Turn off the heat and stir in the fresh parsley.
6
6. Mash the hot potato together with the cooked chickpeas. Add the milk, butter, and a pinch of salt; mix into a rustic mash, not completely smooth.
7
7. Lower the oven temperature to 200 °C / 400 °F. In 4 individual baking dishes or one medium baking dish, layer the roasted eggplant, then the cumin beef, and top with the chickpea-potato mash. Finish with the grated cheese.
8
8. Bake for 15 to 18 minutes at 200 °C / 400 °F, until the cheese is melted. For extra color, broil for the final 2 to 3 minutes at 230 °C / 445 °F, watching carefully so it does not burn.
9
9. Let rest for 5 minutes before serving so the pie sets and is easier to portion.

Chef tips

For a smokier flavor, char the eggplant on a very hot griddle before roasting. If making ahead, assemble the pie, refrigerate it, and bake just before serving, adding 5 extra minutes.

Substitutions

You can replace the ground beef with ground chicken or with cooked lentils for a meatless version. Queso criollo can be swapped for mozzarella or firm cuartirolo. If you do not have red wine vinegar, use the same amount of lemon juice.

What I used to make it

Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.

Illustrative image
Ninja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
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Illustrative image
Cosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer
Browning and baking with little oil
- Browns food with very little oil
- Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
- Check the basket capacity
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Illustrative image
TempPro TP19H Digital Thermometer
Checking doneness of meat and chicken
- Checks doneness of meat and chicken
- Quick reading
- Clean the probe after each use
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