Stuffed Eggplant Provençale

Description
Makes 6 servings.

Ingredients

 * 3 medium eggplants
 * 1 cup chopped onion
 * 1 cup chopped celery
 * 1 cup chopped green bell pepper
 * 2 tablespoons butter or margarine
 * 2 cups cooked rice
 * 2 cups diced cooked chicken
 * 1 14-1/2 to 16-ounce can tomatoes (2 cups)
 * 1 teaspoon salt
 * 1/2 teasoon ground black pepper
 * 1 teaspoon sweet basil
 * 1 teaspoon thyme leaves
 * 1 cup grated Monterey Jack cheese
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
 * 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
 * 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
 * 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
 * 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
 * 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
 * 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
 * 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
 * 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
 * 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
 * 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
 * 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
 * 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
 * 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
 * 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
 * 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
 * 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
 * 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
 * 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
 * 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
 * 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
 * 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
 * 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
 * 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
 * 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
 * 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
 * 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
 * 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
 * 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
 * 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
 * 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
 * 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
 * 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * 1 1/2 cups cottage cheese
 * 2 tablespoons grated Parmesan cheese
 * 2 cups grated Cheddar cheese, divided

Directions
Cut a slice off top of eggplants. Scoop out pulp, leaving 1/4-inch shell. Cut pulp into small cubes; cover with water and parboil about 5 minutes. Drain; set aside.

Cook onion, celery and green pepper in butter until soft but not brown. Add rice, chicken, tomatoes, salt, pepper, basil and thyme. Heat, stirring occasionally, about 2 to 3 minutes. Fill eggplant shells.

Spoon any extra eggplant mixture into a small casserole. Arrange eggplants in shallow pan; bake at 350 degrees for 2 minutes. Sprinkle with cheese and bake 5 minutes longer.

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