Layered Golden Rice Bake with Spiced Meat

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Ingredients

1 1/2 tbsp olive oil
4 garlic cloves (, finely minced)
1 onion (, finely diced)
750g / 1 1/2 lb lamb mince (first choice), or beef ((Note 1))
2 1/2 tbsp baharat spice mix (- store bought or make your own (Note 3))
2 tsp cumin powder
2 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt
1/2 tsp cayenne powder (, optional, for very subtle warmth)
3 tbsp tomato paste
1 small eggplant (, skin on, cut into 1cm / 0.4" cubes, ~2 heaped cups (Note 2))
1 1/2 cups water
3 cups basmati rice (, uncooked)
1 tbsp cooking salt / kosher salt (, for rice cooking water)
1/2 tsp saffron threads ((Note 4 for imitation powder, more cost effective))
2 tbsp boiling water
1 1/2 cups plain unsweetened yogurt (, full fat (regular, Greek or Greek-style))
2 large eggs ((~55g/2oz each in-shell))
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1 tsp cooking salt / kosher salt
1/4 cup pine nuts ((slivered or flaked almonds also great))
2 - 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (, for drizzling)
3 batches Lemon Yogurt Sauce ((YES 3 BATCHES!), or even plain yogurt or sour cream (Note 5))
2 tbsp coriander / cilantro roughly chopped (, optional garnish)
1 tbsp roughly chopped toasted pine nuts (, optional garnish)

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