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Lebanon · Food

Sheikh El Mahshi

90 min
560 kcal
6 servings

By eatmundo · July 11, 2026

Sheikh El Mahshi🇱🇧AI-generated image

Same ingredients, elsewhere in the world

3 matches

Dishes from other countries' kitchens, made from the same core ingredients as Sheikh El Mahshi. The percentage is the share of ingredients the two recipes have in common.

Same technique: Stuffed vegetable39 recipes from 13 countries

This 'King of Stuffed Vegetables' features delicate eggplants filled with spiced meat and toasted nuts. It is traditionally served in a silky garlic-yogurt sauce that perfectly balances the rich stuffing.

According to eatmundo's ingredient comparison, the closest dish to Sheikh El Mahshi from another cuisine is Gosht ka Keema (India): the two share 53% of their ingredients.

Ingredients

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Adapt this recipe:
6 servings

How to Make It

  • 1

    Peel the 1kg eggplants in alternating strips and fry them in a deep pan with 200ml oil until golden and soft.

  • 2

    In a large skillet, brown 500g minced lamb over medium-high heat until no longer pink.

  • 3

    Add the 2 finely chopped onions to the meat and sauté until translucent, about 5 minutes.

  • 4

    Stir in 50g pine nuts and cook until they turn a light golden color, being careful not to burn them.

  • 5

    Make a slit down the center of each fried eggplant and gently stuff them with the lamb mixture using a small spoon.

  • 6

    Prepare a sauce by whisking 1kg yogurt with 1 crushed garlic clove and 1 tbsp cornstarch until completely smooth.

  • 7

    Place stuffed eggplants into the sauce and simmer on low heat for 15 minutes, ensuring the flavors meld without the yogurt curdling.

  • 8

    Garnish with a handful of fresh cilantro before serving warm to guests who will truly appreciate this royal dish.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Sheikh El Mahshi?

Sheikh El Mahshi is a Lebanese dish consisting of eggplants stuffed with spiced minced lamb and onions. It is simmered in a creamy garlic-yogurt sauce thickened with cornstarch and served hot, typically as a main course for lunch or dinner.

What is the best type of eggplant for Sheikh El Mahshi?

Use small, slender eggplants known as 'baby' or 'Japanese' eggplants to ensure they fit perfectly in the pan and hold their shape when stuffed.

How should I prepare the eggplants before stuffing them?

Peel the eggplants in alternating strips to create a striped appearance, then fry or bake them until they are just softened before cutting a slit for the filling.

Can I substitute the minced lamb with another meat?

Yes, ground beef or a mix of beef and lamb is a common alternative, though lamb provides the most authentic, rich flavor traditional to the dish.

How long should the dish simmer in the garlic-yogurt sauce?

Simmer the stuffed eggplants in the sauce for 15 minutes on low heat to allow the flavors to meld without the yogurt curdling.

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