1 medium-sized eggplant
1/2 lb. ground beef
5 tbsp. butter
1/2 cup minced onion
1/4 cup chopped green pepper
2 cups cooked rice
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. pepper
1/2 cup bread crumbs

Peel eggplant and cut into cubes. Cook in boiling salted water until tender (about 15 to 20 minutes). Drain; mash eggplant with a fork.

Brown ground beef in 3 tablespoons butter. Add minced onion and chopped pepper; cook until vegetables are tender. Stir in mashed eggplant, cooked rice, salt and pepper.

Spoon into a 10x6x2-inch baking dish. Sauté bread crumbs in remaining 2 tablespoons butter. Sprinkle over eggplant mixture. Bake at 375°F for about 20 minutes.

Makes 4 to 6 servings.

Submitted by: Belle