Iraqi Lamb And Eggplant Stew With Pitas Recipes

EGGPLANT AND LAMB STEW

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.

EGGPLANT CREOLE APPETIZER WITH CRAB SAUCE RECIPE - (4.3/5)

Steps:

• PREPARATION: First prepare the Creole Sauce. Set aside. Creamy Crab Sauce: In a medium saucepan, melt 4 TBS butter over medium-low heat. Add the shallot and cook until tender. Stir in flour and cook for 2 minutes longer. Whisk in the milk until smooth. Cook the misture, stirring constantly, for about 5 minutes, until thickened and bubbly. Add wine or champagne, 1/2 tsp salt and dash of Creole seasoning and the pepper. In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk egg yolk. Whisk in about 1/2 cup of the hot mixture, then return to saucepan and whisk until well blended. Add crab and continue cooking until steaming hot. Set Aside. Slice eggplant in 1/4-inch rounds; set aside. In a food processor, combine the bread crumbs, Parmesan cheese, parsley, and 1/2 teaspoon Creole seasoning, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and a dash of pepper. Process until fine; pour into a shallow bowl or plate. In a small bowl, whisk 1 egg with 1 tablespoon milk. Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium-high heat. When oil is hot, dip an eggplant slice in the egg mixture, then dip the slice in bread crumbs, turning to coat well. Put in the skillet. Repeat with several more slices until Skillet is full. Turn as the slices brown and continue cooking until both sides are nicely browned. Remove to paper towels and repeat with remaining slices, adding more oil to pan as necessary. On each appetizer plate,spoon some of the Creole sauce; place 2 slices of eggplant on the sauce, then top with some of the crab sauce. Makes about 8 servings.

IRAQI LAMB AND EGGPLANT STEW WITH PITAS

Steps:

• In a bowl, dissolve 2 tsp of salt in 1 quart of water. Add the eggplant, cover with a plate to keep the slices under the water, soak for 30 minute.
• Meanwhile, in a large dutch oven or cast-iron casserole pot, heat 2 Tbl of the oil. Season the lamb with salt and pepper and cook over high heat, turning once until well browned, about 5 minutes per side. Add the onion and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until softened about 10 minutes. Add 3 quarts of water, the pomegranate molasses, split peas, dried chiles, baharat and coriander and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 45 minutes stirring and skimming every so often.
• Drain the eggplant and pat dry. In a large non-stick skillet, heat 1 1/2 Tbl of the oil. Add 1/3 of the eggplant and cook over med-high heat until browned, 3 minutes per side; transfer to paper towels to drain. Brown the remaining eggplant in the 3 Tbl of oil. Add the eggplant to the lamb and simmer over low heat, stirring until the lamb is tender, 45 minutes.
• Transfer the lamb to a rimmed baking sheet, remove the meat from the bones and cut into 1-inch chunks. Boil the stew over high heat, skimming, until the liquid has reduced to 3 cups, about 40 minutes.
• Return the lamb to the stew and season with salt and pepper. Divid the pita among 4 bowls, ladle the soup on top and serve.

IRAQI LAMB AND EGGPLANT STEW WITH PITAS RECIPE - (4.2/5)

Steps:

• In a bowl, dissolve 2 teaspoons of salt in 1 quart of water. Add the eggplant, cover with a small plate to keep the slices submerged and let soak for 30 minutes. 2. Meanwhile, in a large enameled cast-iron casserole, heat 2 tablespoons of the oil. Season the lamb with salt and pepper and cook over high heat, turning once, until well browned, about 5 minutes per side. Add the onion and cook over moderate heat, stirring, until softened, 10 minutes. Add 3 quarts of water, the pomegranate molasses, split peas, dried chiles, baharat and coriander and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to low and simmer for 45 minutes, skimming and stirring a few times. 3. Drain the eggplant and pat dry. In a large nonstick skillet, heat 11/2 tablespoons of the oil. Add one third of the eggplant and cook over moderately high heat until browned, 3 minutes per side; transfer to paper towels to drain. Brown the remaining eggplant in the 3 tablespoons of oil. Add the eggplant to the lamb and simmer over low heat, stirring, until the lamb is tender, 45 minutes. 4. Transfer the lamb to a rimmed baking sheet. Remove the meat from the bones and cut into 1-inch pieces. Boil the stew over high heat, skimming, until the liquid has reduced to 3 cups, about 40 minutes. 5. Return the lamb to the stew and season with salt and pepper. Divide the pita among 4 bowls. Ladle the stew on top and serve. Notes Pomegranate molasses is basically reduced pomegranate juice. Baharat is a complex spice blend typically containing cumin, coriander and paprika. Both are available at Middle Eastern groceries.