Aubergine Chickpea Stew Recipes

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.

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!