Mirza Ghasemi is a Persian eggplant and tomato dish that's very flavorful. This vegetarian eggplant recipe is super easy to make and everyone will ask for seconds!
You've been loving our Persian recipes and I'm very happy about that. Some favorites are Persian chicken with saffron, Persian rice and tahdig and of course, ghormeh sabzi. The recipe I'm going to show you today is an easy dish made with smoked eggplants called mirza ghasemi.
What is mirza ghasemi?
This is a Persian eggplant dish with origins in the northern region of Iran. This vegetarian dish is made with just a few ingredients such as charred eggplants and tomatoes and comes together in no time. It can be served as an appetizer or main dish and the flavors are absolutely delightful. This eggplant and tomato dish is naturally gluten free as well.
What do I need to make mirza ghasemi?
- Eggplant (aubergine)
- Tomatoes
- Garlic
- Eggs
- Turmeric and black pepper
Mirza ghasemi is a basic and delicious dish that can be made with ingredients you can easily find. The flavors for this eggplant recipe come from smoked eggplants.
How to make mirza ghasemi
Start with smoking the eggplants over the grill or simply by placing them on the direct flame of your gas stove top just like we do for melitzanosalata or eggplant salad. Smoke and roast the eggplants until the skin is completely charred and the flesh is soft. Peel the eggplants and finely chop or mash the flesh and set aside. I usually smoke the tomatoes as well but you can easily skip this step.
In a large pan, heat olive oil and saute garlic until golden. Add in chopped tomatoes and cook until the extra water starts evaporating. Add in mashed smoked eggplants and spices. cook until it's thickened and excess water is almost completely evaporated.
Break the eggs into the pan and start mixing the eggs into the eggplant mixture until cooked. Always serve mirza ghasemi warm with some bread or Persian style rice (Katteh).
Frequently asked questions
I have used globe, Italian and Chinese eggplants and they've all worked perfectly. Globe eggplants have more flesh so it's probably easier to use those.
Yes. If for any reason you're not able to smoke eggplants at home, you can simply roast them by broiling them in the oven for about thirty minutes and then proceed with the recipe. You can also buy smoked eggplant from Mediterranean or Turkish stores. They usually come in glass jars. If using store bought smoked eggplants, simply add them to the tomatoes.
Notes and tips for making mirza ghasemi
- Mirza ghasemi can be served with fresh middle eastern style bread such as lavash or pita as an appetizer or with rice as a main dish.
- The eggs can be scrambled or fried separately and served with eggplants and tomatoes.
- Store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to two days.
- You can use either fresh to canned diced tomatoes to make mirza ghasemi.
- The main flavors of this dish come from charred eggplant and garlic, so don't go light on garlic and make sure you're using fresh garlic and not garlic powder.
Step-by-Step Recipe
Mirza Ghasemi Persian Smoked Eggplants and Tomatoes
Ingredients
- 3 globe eggplants
- 3 tablespoon olive oil extra virgin
- 7 cloves garlic minced
- 4 roma tomatoes diced
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
- 1 tsp salt
- 3 eggs lightly beaten
Instructions
- Pierce the eggplants using a fork. Char them by placing them on a grill or directly on the flame of gas stove top. Rotate them regularly to make sure they're charred on all sides.
- The eggplant skin must get completely charred and the flesh should be softened.
- Let the eggplants cool for some minutes then carefully peel off the charred skin.
- Mash or chop the eggplants finely and set them aside.
- In a large pan, heat the olive oil and saute the minced garlic until almost golden.
- Add in diced tomatoes and cook until the excess water starts evaporating.
- Add in mashed eggplants and stir well. Raise the heat to medium high and cook until the excess water is almost completely evaporated.
- Add in turmeric, black pepper and salt. Combine well with the other ingredients.
- Add in the eggs and mix well until the eggs are cooked.
- Serve warm with bread or rice and fresh herbs.
Notes
- You can use fresh or canned tomatoes to make mirza ghasemi.
- Find smoked eggplants in jars at Turkish and Mediterranean shops.
- Mirza ghasemi can be served with fresh middle eastern style bread such as lavash or pita as an appetizer or with rice as a main dish.
- The eggs can be scrambled or fried separately and served with eggplants and tomatoes.
- Store the leftovers in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to two days.
- The main flavors of this dish come from charred eggplant and garlic, so don't go light on garlic and make sure you're using fresh garlic and not garlic powder.
Cindy
What kind of rice do you typically use?
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
You can use basmati or jasmine rice.
Ashley Pierson
Salam Shadi! I am so glad I found this recipe. I usually eat it when I go to a potluck at the center, but since CoVid 19, that has not been happening. I wanted to make it like a meal for my family and not as an appetizer but did not know how to. Oh my Goodness, this hit the mark in my home and our tummies! It was my first time making it following this recipe and also seeing it plated like this. Those folks at the center just think they are making Mirza Ghasemi! I served ours with an over easy egg. Also Im a huge garlic lover, so the only thing I did differently was heat 3 tbsp of oil until it started to smoke, thinly slice half a clove of garlic, toss it in the oil and then quickly poured it over the Mirza Ghasemi before I served it. Divine! (boos boos) Bon Apetite!
Irina
Eggplant is one of my favorite vegetables: so, I always look for new recipes to give a try. Yous sounds delicious, inviting, and appetizing. Will make it as soon as I get eggplant in a grocery store 🙂
Emmeline
Ooooh THIS is what I'm making for dinner tonight! YUM!!
Chris Collins
I love eggplant so much so this recipe is right up my street! Thanks so much for sharing 🙂
Noelle
I loved all the roasted veggies, especially tomatoes! Great recipe thank you!!
Kelly Anthony
I've never had mirza ghasemi eggplant and tomatoes but we love trying new foods especially when they look this good.
Irina
Hi, I'm wobdering why you don't remove skin from tomatos? Wouldn't it ne much better?
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
Hi Irina, traditionally, the skin doesn't need to be removed. However, you can definitely remove it if you prefer 🙂
jauhar
easy and delicious!
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
Thank you!
Aicha
Can this be made without eggs?
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
It can, it will be more like a dip then, but since the flavor is for the smoked eggplant, it's going to be delicious 🙂
Jennifer Banz
I will definately try this recipe. I am a big fan of eggplant!
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
Hope you enjoy this Jennifer!
Justine
Aunt made something similar, thanks for sharing so I can try it myself!
Shadi HasanzadeNemati
Hope you like this eggplant dish!