Tamtad İmam Bayıldı (Stuffed Eggplant in Olive Oil) – 400 g

Few dishes have a better story than imam bayıldı, whose name translates as the imam fainted. Silky aubergines slowly cooked with onions, tomatoes and garlic in plenty of olive oil, it is one of the jewels of Turkish cuisine, and this 400g tin from Tamtad brings it to your table ready to eat.

The Story Behind the Name

There are many versions of the legend, but most agree on one thing: an imam was served this dish and was so overwhelmed by its taste that he fainted. Some say it was the sheer deliciousness, others claim he fainted when he heard how much expensive olive oil had gone into it. Whichever story you prefer, the name has stuck for centuries, and the dish remains a favourite across Turkey and far beyond. You will find it in home kitchens, on the cold counters of traditional lokantas and on the meze trolleys of seaside restaurants along the Aegean coast.

What Is in It?

At its heart, this is a stuffed aubergine dish. Whole or halved aubergines are partly peeled in stripes, gently fried or roasted until soft, then split open and filled with a mixture of onions, garlic, tomatoes and fresh herbs. They are slowly braised in olive oil until meltingly tender, and the flavours are left to mellow as the dish cools.

The filling is sweet from the slow-cooked onions, bright from the tomatoes and fragrant with parsley, while the aubergine becomes rich, creamy and almost buttery in texture.

Part of a Bigger Family

Imam bayıldı belongs to the zeytinyağlı family of Turkish recipes, vegetables cooked in olive oil and served at room temperature rather than hot. These dishes are traditionally made without meat, which makes them a natural choice for vegetarians and a refreshing option in warm weather. As an olive oil dish, it is often served as part of a meze spread or as a light main course with bread and salad.

Ready When You Need It

Making it from scratch takes time, from salting and frying the aubergines to slow-cooking the filling. This tin is ready to eat as soon as it is opened, so you can enjoy a traditional Turkish dish in moments.

Serving Ideas

• Serve at room temperature with a drizzle of extra virgin olive oil and chopped parsley.
• Add a spoonful of thick yoghurt on the side for a cool, creamy contrast.
• Pair with crusty bread or pide to soak up the juices.
• Include on a meze platter with stuffed peppers, pilaki, hummus and white cheese.
• Warm gently and serve with rice pilaf for a simple vegetarian dinner.

Storage and Allergens

Store unopened tins in a cool, dry place. Once opened, transfer to a sealed container, keep refrigerated and eat within a couple of days. Please check the label for full ingredients and allergen information before serving.

Order Imam Bayıldı Online

Robin Food delivers Turkish ready meals and meze across the UK, with same-day delivery available in many London postcodes. Build your table with our stuffed peppers, fasulye pilaki and a bottle of Turkish extra virgin olive oil.