Eggplant Lovers Stuffed Eggplant - cooking recipe

Ingredients

1 large eggplant
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, divided
1/2 lb ground beef
salt & freshly ground black pepper
1 onion, small diced
1 red pepper, small diced
3 garlic cloves, minced
1/2 cup freshly chopped fresh parsley leaves
1/2 cup freshly chopped basil leaves, chopped
1 1/4 cups grated pecorino romano cheese, divided
1/4 cup breadcrumbs
1 egg
1 (14 1/2 ounce) can diced fire-roasted tomatoes

Preparation

Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Cut the eggplant in half and scoop out the center, leaving enough meat inside the skin so that it holds its shape when baked.
Boil the scooped-out center part until very soft, about 10 to 12 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a medium saute pan heat 1 tablespoon olive oil over medium heat. Season the beef with salt and pepper.
Add the seasoned ground beef to the pan and saute until all of its liquid is evaporated and the beef begins to brown slightly.
Drain the beef, removing the extra, unnecessary fat. Let cool briefly and chop the cooked beef so that there are no large chunks of meat.
In another medium saute pan over medium heat add the remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil and saute the onions, peppers and garlic together.
In a bowl mix together the cooked eggplant, vegetables, cooked beef, herbs, 1 cup of the cheese, bread crumbs, and the egg.
Fill the scooped-out eggplant halves with this mixture, dividing it evenly among the 2 halves.
Top with chopped tomatoes and the remaining 1/4 cup of grated cheese, season with salt and pepper, place on an oiled oven tray or baking dish, and bake for 60 minutes in preheated oven. Let cool briefly, slice width-wise and serve.