Embark on a culinary journey to the heart of the Middle East with this delectable Eggplant and Pomegranate Stew, a harmonious blend of flavors and textures that will tantalize your taste buds. This versatile dish can be crafted with either beef or lamb, catering to your preferences. Immerse yourself in the aromatic spices, tender meat, and vibrant vegetables that define this dish, while the tangy pomegranate molasses adds a touch of delightful acidity. Accompanying this main course are two additional recipes: a refreshing Cucumber and Mint Salad, perfect for a light and healthy side, and a sweet and nutty Pomegranate and Pistachio Rice, a delightful complement to the savory stew. Get ready to indulge in a feast that celebrates the rich culinary heritage of the Middle East, with each recipe offering a unique taste experience.
Here are our top 5 tried and tested recipes!
OLD FASHIONED BEEF STEW WITH EGGPLANT
This beef stew recipe has sweet eggplant, tender beef, fresh herbs, San Marzano tomatoes, cinnamon, and lots of aromatics.
Provided by by Jenny | The Greek Foodie
Categories Meats
Number Of Ingredients 13
Steps:
- Preheat the oven top 325 F.
- Cut the eggplant cubes. Oil a baking sheet with 1 tablespoon of olive oil.
- Add the eggplant pieces to the baking sheet. Brush a little olive oil on top of each eggplant cube. Season with sea salt, freshly ground pepper and a pinch of oregano. Bake cubes for 30 to 45 min or until eggplant flesh is soft and a light golden color. When done remove baking sheet with eggplants from oven and set aside.
- Dry the beef pieces well using a paper towel. Season with salt and pepper. Lightly dust 1 - 2 tbsp all purpose flour all over beef.
- In a large pot heat 2 tbsp olive oil. Brown the beef, a few pieces at a time all over, about 2-3 minutes. Remove beef pieces on a plate and set aside.
- Add the onion. Season with salt and pepper. Sauté for 1-2 min. Add the garlic, cumin, cinnamon, nutmeg and oregano. Stir and sauté for 2 minutes
- Add the tomatoes. Gently crush them to eliminate any big chunks. Mix well. Add the beef, 1/2 cup of water, some fresh thyme and oregano sprigs. Stir gently, cover and simmer in low heat for 1 hour.
- Add eggplant pieces to the stew. Stir gently, cover and simmer for another 30 to 45 min or until beef is soft and almost falling apart with a fork. Adjust salt and pepper to taste. and serve.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 493 kcal, Sugar 10 g, Sodium 136 mg, Fat 33 g, SaturatedFat 10 g, Carbohydrate 21 g, Fiber 8 g, Protein 33 g, Cholesterol 104 mg, ServingSize 1 serving
EGGPLANT AND LAMB STEW
The Arabic name (which I can't remember) means 'It cooks itself.' Most Middle Eastern food is time-consuming to make; this name implies that the cook is embarrassed to serve something so simple. Best served over rice.
Provided by KELLYJEANNE
Categories Soups, Stews and Chili Recipes Stews
Time 2h15m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- In a large pot, melt the butter over medium heat, and brown the lamb on all sides. Mix in the eggplants, tomatoes, onions, green bell peppers, and garlic. Cook and stir until tender and lightly browned.
- In a small bowl, blend the tomato paste and water. Mix into the pot with the lamb. Season lamb with allspice, salt, and pepper. Reduce heat, and simmer about 1 1/2 hours, stirring occasionally, until the meat shreds easily with a fork. Add a little water as necessary to keep the ingredients moist.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 291.9 calories, Carbohydrate 20.8 g, Cholesterol 68.2 mg, Fat 16.2 g, Fiber 8.4 g, Protein 18.2 g, SaturatedFat 7.4 g, Sodium 871.3 mg, Sugar 8.6 g
EGGPLANT AND POMEGRANATE STEW (WITH BEEF OR LAMB)
Adapted from May S. Bsisu's fantastic book, "The Arab Table," this recipe for a hearty and exotic stew features classic Arab flavor combinations and is very filling and healthful. NOTE: ground beef may be substituted in equal amounts for the ground lamb and the recipe will still be outstanding!
Provided by Aisha al Saieed
Categories Stew
Time 2h
Yield 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Start a pot of water to boil. While waiting for it to boil, do the next steps.
- Halve the eggplants and chop roughly into 1-inch chunks. Place in colander and sprinkle 1 tablespoon of salt all over. Set in the sink to drain.
- Heat 1 tablespoon of the vegetable oil in a large pot over high heat. Add the lamb (or beef) and cook, stirring frequently, until brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Add 1/2 teaspoon on the black pepper and the 1/2 teaspoon of allspice, and turn the meat to coat it in the spices.
- Add the now-boiling water to cover by 1 inch. Bring the mixture back to a boil, skimming the foam from the surface. Cover, reduce heat to medium, and cook for 30 minutes.
- Meanwhile, chop the carrots into 1-inch think rounds and the bell pepper into 10inch pieces.
- Heat remaining 3 tablespoons of vegetable oil in a large pot over medium heat. Add the onions and saute until they release their juices and are soft, about 5 minutes.
- Pat the eggplant dry. Add the eggplant, carrots, and bell pepper and cook until they are soft, about 10 minutes. Add the tomato paste and the meat with its liquid, and give the mixture a good stir.
- Add the remaining black pepper and bring the stew to a boil. Reduce heat to medium, cover the pot, and let cook about 30-45 minutes.
- Mash or mince the garlic and stir it in along with the pomegranate syrup, mint, and remaining 2 teaspoons salt. Taste, and adjust seasonging as needed.
- Serve with rice or eat with bread.
KHORESH-E BADEMJOON (PERSIAN LAMB, EGGPLANT AND TOMATO STEW)
Bademjoon, sometimes spelled bademjan, is a quintessential summer dish in Iran, and it was a childhood favorite of mine. Fresh lemon juice and ghooreh, or unripe grapes, lighten the stew and lend a particularly tart punch. (Use fresh or frozen ghooreh if you can find either. You could also use pickled ghooreh, but be sure to rinse them well before using to rid them of excess salt.) Those sharp flavors contrast nicely with the soft, comforting texture of the eggplant and tomatoes, which grow silky as they cook down. This dish is particularly delicious with a piece of crunchy tahdig.
Provided by Samin Nosrat
Categories dinner, meat, soups and stews, main course
Time 3h
Yield 6 to 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 15
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.
MAUREEN ABOOD'S EGGPLANT WITH LAMB, TOMATO AND PINE NUTS
With its layers of golden eggplant, cinnamon-scented lamb, and sweet tomato sauce topped with melted cheese, this traditional Lebanese dish is made for celebratory meals and gatherings. Even better, it's just as good served warm or room temperature as it is hot from the oven. It also reheats well, meaning that you can bake it the day before, and reheat it before serving if you like. Pull it out of the refrigerator, let it come to room temperature for an hour, then reheat it covered for about 40 minutes at 350 degrees.
Provided by Melissa Clark
Categories dinner, lunch, casseroles, main course
Time 2h
Yield 8 servings
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Heat broiler and line a baking sheet with foil or parchment.
- Brush both sides of eggplant slices with 2 tablespoons olive oil and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt. Arrange slices on prepared baking sheet and broil in batches until they are deep mahogany brown, turning once halfway through, 5 to 7 minutes per side.
- Adjust the oven to 375 degrees with rack positioned in the center.
- In a large skillet, heat 1 tablespoon of the remaining olive oil over medium heat. Add onion and sauté until translucent, but not browned, stirring occasionally, about 5 minutes. Add garlic and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add ground lamb or beef, stirring frequently and breaking up meat into very small pieces with the side of a metal spoon. Season with remaining teaspoon salt, cinnamon and pepper. Sauté until meat is just cooked through. Taste and add more salt or pepper, or both, as needed.
- In a medium skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add pine nuts and reduce heat to medium-low. Stir nuts to coat them with butter and continue stirring constantly until nuts are golden brown, 2 to 4 minutes. Keep a close watch over the nuts; they can burn quickly once they begin to brown. Transfer nuts to a bowl while still warm and salt them lightly.
- Coat a 13-by-9-by-2-inch baking dish with remaining 1 tablespoon of olive oil. Spread 1/2 cup of tomato sauce in the bottom of the dish. Lay 1/3 of the eggplant slices in a single layer over the sauce, covering as much surface area of the bottom of the dish as possible. Spoon half the meat evenly over eggplant. Pour 1/3 of the remaining tomato sauce evenly over meat. Sprinkle with 1/3 of the pine nuts. Layer again with eggplant, meat, tomato sauce and pine nuts. Finish with a layer of eggplant and cover with more tomato sauce, sprinkling top with pine nuts.
- Pour 1 cup warm water around the perimeter of the baking dish. (Sauce will thicken as it bakes.) Cover pan with foil and bake for 90 minutes. Remove foil and top eggplant evenly with mozzarella. Bake for 15 minutes longer, uncovered, or until the cheese is bubbling and golden. Serve eggplant warm, over rice.
Nutrition Facts : @context http, Calories 478, UnsaturatedFat 20 grams, Carbohydrate 18 grams, Fat 37 grams, Fiber 7 grams, Protein 23 grams, SaturatedFat 13 grams, Sodium 854 milligrams, Sugar 10 grams, TransFat 0 grams
Tips:
- For the best flavor, use ripe, in-season eggplants. Look for eggplants that are firm and have a deep purple color.
- If you don't have pomegranate molasses on hand, you can make your own by simmering pomegranate juice and sugar together until it thickens.
- Feel free to adjust the amount of spices in the recipe to suit your taste. If you like a spicier stew, add more chili powder or cayenne pepper.
- Serve the stew over rice or with pita bread for a complete meal.
Conclusion:
Eggplant and pomegranate stew is a delicious and easy-to-make dish that is perfect for a weeknight meal. The combination of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors is sure to please everyone at the table. So next time you're looking for a new recipe to try, give this eggplant and pomegranate stew a try. You won't be disappointed!
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