South of the border eggplant

4 servings

Ingredients

QuantityIngredient
4slicesRaw bacon
1mediumOnion, finely chopped
1poundsLean ground beef round
1Clove garlic, peeled and crushed
1mediumGreen pepper, finely chopped
1mediumEggplant, peeled and cut into 1/2-inch slices
1teaspoonSalt
teaspoonPepper
15ouncesCan tomato sauce
½cupCrumbled feta cheese
1cupSeasoned croutons

Directions

1. In a deep, 2-quart, heat-resistant, non-metallic casserole heat bacon, covered with paper toweling, 4 minutes or until crisp. Reserve bacon fat. 2. Remove bacon. Set aside.

3. Add beef, onion, garlic and green pepper to reserved bacon fat.

Heat, uncovered, 6½ minutes or until vegetables are tender and beef is browned.

4. Add eggplant, salt, pepper, tomato sauce, feta cheese and reserved bacon.

Stir to blend.

5. Heat, covered, in Microwave Oven 8 minutes or until eggplant is tender. 6. Sprinkle with croutons and heat, uncovered, an additional 1 minute or until heated through.