Mirza Ghasemi (Persian Smoked Aubergine with Eggs)

About This Recipe

Mirza Ghasemi is the signature dish of Gilan province in northern Iran, the green, verdant region that borders the Caspian Sea. Unlike the rest of Iran's cooking, Gilani food incorporates eggs into savoury dishes. The dish was named after a 19th-century governor of Gilan. The aubergine is charred directly over a flame until completely blackened — this smoking creates the deep, complex smoky flavour that defines the dish. The blackened flesh is then scraped and mixed with tomatoes and garlic before eggs are folded in at the last moment. It is served with flatbread as a starter or light meal.

Ingredients

Serves 4

• 2 largeaubergines(about 700g total)
• 3 mediumripe tomatoes(or 1 × 400g tin)
• 4garlic cloves(minced)
• 3 largeeggs
• ½ tspturmeric
• 3 tbspolive oil or butter
• salt and black pepper(to taste)
• 2 tbspfresh parsley(to garnish)

Instructions

1. 1

   Char aubergines

   Char aubergines directly over a gas flame, turning with tongs until completely blackened on all sides — about 15 minutes. Alternatively, roast under a grill at maximum heat. Place in a colander, slit the skin and allow to drain and cool. Peel away all blackened skin. Roughly chop the smoky flesh.

   The charring must be complete — any green flesh left under the skin will be bitter.

2. 2

   Make tomato base

   Heat oil in a large pan. Fry garlic with turmeric for 1 minute. Add diced tomatoes and cook 10 minutes until sauce thickens.

3. 3

   Add aubergine

   Add chopped aubergine. Stir and cook 5 minutes, breaking it up further.

4. 4

   Add eggs

   Create 3 wells in the mixture. Crack an egg into each well. Season. Cover and cook over low heat 4–5 minutes until whites are set but yolks are still soft. Serve directly from the pan with fresh flatbread.

Variations

• •

  Omit eggs for a vegan version — serve as a dip with bread.

• •

  Scatter chopped walnuts over the finished dish for added texture — common in some Gilani households.

• •

  Vegetarian: swap the protein for roasted king oyster mushrooms, smoked tofu or cooked chickpeas — adjust seasoning slightly upward to compensate.

• •

  Spicier: add a finely chopped fresh chile or a teaspoon of crushed Aleppo/Urfa pepper to the aromatics for warm, layered heat instead of a single sharp hit.

Storage

Without eggs: refrigerates 3 days. With eggs: best eaten immediately.

Frequently Asked Questions