Lamb and eggplant are combined in dishes throughout the Mediterranean. Together they deliver a complex, hearty, earthy flavor that's truly satisfying. In this dish, toasted pine nuts and tangy feta cheese are excellent accents.

Makes 2 servings

ACTIVE TIME: 25 minutes

TOTAL TIME: 25 minutes

EASE OF PREPARATION: Easy

4 ounces whole-wheat rigatoni or penne
4 ounces ground lamb or lean ground beef
2 cloves garlic, chopped
1/4 teaspoon fennel seed
1 1/2 cups diced eggplant
1 teaspoon extra-virgin olive oil
1 8-ounce can no-salt-added tomato sauce
1/2 cup red wine
1 1/2 teaspoons chopped fresh oregano or 1/2 teaspoon dried
1/4 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon freshly ground pepper
1 teaspoon pine nuts, toasted (see Tip)
1/4 cup crumbled feta (optional)

1. Bring a large pot of water to a boil. Cook pasta 8 to 10 minutes or according to package directions.
2. Meanwhile, cook lamb (or beef), garlic and fennel seed in a large nonstick skillet over medium heat, breaking up the meat with the back of a spoon, until the lamb (or beef) is browned, 3 to 4 minutes. Add eggplant and oil; cook, stirring occasionally, until the eggplant browns, about 4 minutes. Add tomato sauce and wine; cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens, about 3 minutes. Stir in oregano, salt and pepper.
3. Drain the pasta; serve topped with the sauce and sprinkled with pine nuts and feta, if using.

NUTRITION INFORMATION: Per serving: 422 calories; 10 g fat (3 g sat, 4 g mono); 37 mg cholesterol; 57 g carbohydrate; 20 g protein; 10 g fiber; 343 mg sodium; 795 mg potassium.

Nutrition bonus: Vitamin C (30% daily value), Vitamin A (25% dv), Magnesium (24% dv), Potassium (23% dv).

3 Carbohydrate Servings

Exchanges: 3 starch, 2 vegetable, 2 medium fat meat

TIP: Tip: To toast pine nuts: Cook in a dry skillet over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until fragrant and lightly browned, 2 to 4 minutes.

Loved the flavor of this recipe. Definitely will make again. Very simple to make without a lot of pans.

Anonymous, Albuquerque, NM

I love eggplant so I'll try any recipe with eggplant in it. I like this ragu a lot, even though lamb has such a strong flavour. For even more fibre and to make the dish look more appealing, I added a can of chickpeas. Then, in keeping with Moroccan cooking, I served the sauce over couscous. Delicious! Oh, and did I mention... I tripled the recipe so we would have leftovers.

Brenda, Toronto, Ca