Imam Baildi

Imam baildi, sometimes spelled ‘bayildi’, is one of my all-time favourite vegetarian and vegan dishes. The name literally translates to ‘the Imam fainted’, although folklore argues whether this was due to the heavenly taste of the dish or the cost of the olive oil used to make it! Either way, it is succulent, flavourful, and as with all good recipes, benefits from a wealth of regional variations. Mine is based on a Greek recipe, but there are versions from Iran (with more vegetables added),