Aubergine Chickpea Stew Recipes

AUBERGINE & CHICKPEA STEW

Steps:

• Drain the chickpeas and bring to the boil in a pan of salted water. Cook for 10 mins, then drain.
• Heat the oil in a frying pan over a medium heat and fry the onions for 10 mins, or until beginning to soften. Stir in the garlic, baharat and cinnamon and cook for 1 min. Tip the onion mixture into a slow cooker and add the chickpeas, parsley stalks, aubergines, tomatoes and a can of water. Season. Cover and cook on high for 2 hrs, then turn the heat to low and cook for 6-8 hrs more until the mixture has reduced slightly and the chickpeas and aubergines are really tender.
• Stir in the lemon juice, then scatter over the pine nuts and parsley leaves. Drizzle over some extra olive oil and serve with pitta breads or flatbreads, if you like.

MOROCCAN CHICKPEA AND EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) STEW

Steps:

• Cut off the ends of the eggplant, than chop into ¾" cubes. I salted an eggplant once just for fun, but with fresh eggplant just don't find it necessary!
• Chop the onion roughly.
• Mince the garlic.
• Coat a large deep-sided frypan with olive oil. and heat over a medium heat.
• Add the minced garlic, onion, chili powder, cumin and cinnamon. Stir well to coat evenly. Cook until the onions have softened (approx. 4-5 minutes).
• Add the eggplant, tomatoes and chickpeas, along with the stock. Simmer over medium-low heat, covered, for fifteen-twenty minutes (until the eggplant is tender).
• Uncover and stir. If the stew looks very soupy, let the liquid bubble away for a few more minutes.
• Salt and pepper to taste.
• Serve over rice / pasta / cous cous / even toast would be yummy.
• The qty of spice listed make it moderately hot - good for a taste explosion for someone not used to spices. I normally double them as I like things really spicy!

LAMB & AUBERGINE STEW WITH CRISPY CHICKPEA TOPPING

Steps:

• Heat 2 tbsp of the oil in flameproof casserole dish. Add the onions and cook until softened. Season the lamb and toss in the flour. Push the onion to the edge of the pan, add the lamb, then cook for a few mins on each side until nicely browned.
• Add the garlic, aubergine, peppers, ras el hanout and harissa. Cook for a few mins until the spices are aromatic. Add the tomatoes, sugar, 400ml water (fill the tomato can and swish it around to get all the bits out) and crumble in the stock cube. Bring to a simmer, cover, then cook over a low heat for 2 hrs.
• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Add the herbs to the lamb stew and tip into a daking dish. Tip the chickpeas into a bowl with the cumin seeds, remaining oil and some seasoning. Leaving about half the chickpeas whole, lightly crush remainder with a fork or potato masher. Add half the feta and mix through. Scatter over the stew, top with remaining feta, then bake for 45 mins until the topping is really crispy and the stew is hot. See tips on freezing, below left.

MEDITERRANEAN CHICKPEA STEW

Steps:

• Heat olive oil in a Dutch oven over medium heat. Add onion to the hot oil and cook until soft and translucent, about 5 minutes. Add parsley and garlic; cook and stir for 2 minutes. Add shredded carrot; stir often for 1 to 2 minutes. Add cubed eggplant and saute for 2 to 3 minutes.
• Pour in chickpeas and tomatoes. Add broth, oregano, thyme, and cayenne pepper. Mix and bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer until stew has thickened and the vegetables are soft, about 15 minutes. Add more broth if necessary. Season with salt and pepper.

AUBERGINE, CHICKPEA, AND TAMARIND STEW

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 190C/gas 5.
• Cut the aubergine into medium-size chunks and roast for 20-30 minutes on a lightly oiled baking tray until browned and almost cooked through.
• Heat the olive oil in a heavy-based pan large enough to hold all the ingredients, and gently fry the onion, garlic, and whole chilli in it for 10 minutes until softened, stirring occasionally.
• Stir in the spices including the mustard seeds and cook for a further 5 minutes.
• Add the tinned tomatoes and simmer for 5-10 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Stir in the green pepper, honey, tamarind and aubergine pieces and lower the heat.
• Add the chickpeas (drained and rinsed) and fresh tomatoes and cook for a further 10-15 minutes.
• Check the seasoning and stir in the mint just before serving.