Best Eggplant And Tomato Stew Recipes

KHORESH-E BADEMJOON (PERSIAN LAMB, EGGPLANT AND TOMATO STEW)

Steps:

• In a large bowl, season lamb with turmeric, 1 teaspoon salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper. Set aside.
• Peel the eggplants but leave the green skin on the stem end intact. Trim the tips of the stems and make an incomplete lengthwise cut in each eggplant from the bottom, leaving both halves attached at the stem. Place eggplants in a colander set inside a large bowl. Sprinkle with salt and let sit for 30 minutes.
• In the meantime, set a large Dutch oven or similar pot over medium-high heat. When the pot is hot, add 3 tablespoons oil. When the oil shimmers, add onion and cook, stirring regularly, until softened and browned, 16 to 18 minutes.
• Add the meat and cook, turning regularly, until it browns evenly on all sides, 8 to 10 minutes. Add 4 cups water and increase heat to high. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat, cover, and simmer for 1 hour.
• In the meantime, rinse the eggplants, dry thoroughly and set aside. Remove stems and halve tomatoes through their cores and set aside. Line a baking sheet with two layers of paper towels and set aside.
• Set a large frying pan over high heat. When the pan is hot, add 1/4 cup oil and carefully lay eggplants in the pan in a single layer. It's crucial to leave space between each eggplant for steam to escape, so brown in batches if necessary. Reduce heat to medium-high and cook, turning regularly, until eggplants are browned on all sides, 10 to 12 minutes. Remove browned eggplants to lined baking sheet and allow to drain.
• Use the same pan to brown tomatoes, cut-side down, in remaining 2 tablespoons oil for about 5 minutes. Flip and cook tomatoes on skin side until lightly browned, 1 to 2 minutes, then remove to lined baking sheet.
• Once the meat has cooked for 1 hour, stir in the tomato paste, saffron and 1/4 cup lime juice. Taste and adjust seasoning with salt and pepper. Carefully arrange the browned eggplants and tomatoes atop the stew and then sprinkle on the young grapes. Allow the stew to come to a boil, then reduce heat to simmer, uncovered, until meat is falling apart and stew is thick and unctuous, about 1 hour. Without jostling the eggplants too much, taste a spoonful or two of the stew. It should be pleasantly tart, so adjust the seasoning with salt and lime juice as needed.
• Serve hot, with Persian rice and mast-o khiar, as well as pickles, fresh herbs, scallions and radishes, if desired.

TOMATO AND ROASTED EGGPLANT STEW WITH CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• Toss garlic, eggplant, onion and peppers with olive oil - roast at 450 for 25 minutes. Combine wine/vegetable broth, tarragon, thyme, coriander, paprika, salt, pepper and bay leaf in small pan and simmer on medium low for 20 minutes, stirring frequently. Remove bay leaf. In another large pan, combine tomatoes and chickpeas and heat thoroughly. Add vegetable broth/wine mixture to coat. Add roasted vegetables. Serve hot, over polenta or with French bread.

EGGPLANT AND TOMATO STEW IN THE CROCK POT

Steps:

• Combine all ingredients in crock pot.
• Cover and cook on low heat for 8-9 hours.
• Discard bay leaf before serving with some brown rice or fluffy couscous or polenta.

EGGPLANT AND TOMATO STEW

Steps:

• Roast the eggplant in a preheated 400 degree F. oven until soft, about 45 minutes.
• Remove all the meat from the eggplant.
• In a large saute pan, heat oil, and saute onions and garlic. Add the eggplant. Add all other ingredients, except the parsley. Remove from the heat and place in a food processor.
• Pulse until it becomes creamy.
• Serve at room temperature, garnished with parsley and served with crispy lavash crackers as a starter.