Basic Italian Eggplant Stew Recipes

CIAMBOTTA (GIAMBOTTA)

Steps:

• Add olive oil to a large pot or Dutch oven and place over medium heat.
• Once hot, add the onions and cook for 5 minutes until starting to soften.
• Add the garlic and cook an additional minute until fragrant.
• Add the potatoes and eggplant, stir to toss with the onions and garlic and let cook for another 5 minutes.
• Add chopped tomatoes, zucchini and bell peppers, toss to combine, cover with a lid and let cook for 15 minutes, stirring occasionally.
• Remove lid, season to taste with salt and pepper, add the basil and parsley and cook an additional 5 minutes.
• Serve as desired with crusty bread, over rice, with added white beans, etc.

BASIC ITALIAN EGGPLANT STEW

Steps:

• Cube the eggplant and toss with lemon juice promptly to prevent browning. Toss cubes with salt and leave to rest in a strainer for 30 to 60 minutes.
• While the cubes rest, brown the ground turkey and onions in a large deep pan. Add the tomato sauce, Italian seasoning, and pepper to the pot and simmer over low heat.
• Rinse the cubes very well and press them firmly with paper towels to remove as much liquid as possible.
• Combine eggplant with the sauce and cook for 20-30 minutes over medium-low heat. The longer you cook the stew, the softer the eggplant will become.
• The mixture can also be baked in the oven at 375 degrees for 5-40 minutes or on low in the crockpot for 4 to 6 hours.

EASY SAUTEED ITALIAN EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Cut eggplant into thin slices. Drizzle slices on one side with 1 tablespoon balsamic vinaigrette and season with salt and pepper.
• Spray a large saucepan with nonstick spray and heat over low heat. Place eggplant in the pan, seasoned-sides down, in a single layer. Drizzle remaining vinaigrette over the exposed sides. Add onion and garlic. Cover and cook until eggplant slices are lightly browned and tender, about 5 minutes per side.

EGGPLANT CAPONATA (SICILIAN VERSION)

Steps:

• Toss eggplant with salt and place in a colander set over a bowl. Let sit, about 30 minutes. Rinse and pat dry.
• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a large skillet over medium heat. Add celery; cook, stirring often, until softened, about 4 minutes. Add onion and garlic; cook and stir until onion is soft and lightly golden, about 5 minutes. Transfer mixture to a bowl using a slotted spoon.
• Heat remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil in the skillet. Add eggplant and cook, stirring constantly, until lightly browned, 5 to 7 minutes. Stir in celery mixture, tomatoes, olives, capers, tomato paste, and oregano. Bring to a boil; reduce heat to low and simmer uncovered until caponata is thickened, about 15 minutes.
• Season caponata with vinegar, sugar, salt, and black pepper. Transfer to a serving bowl and garnish with parsley.

QUICK AND HEARTY EGGPLANT STEW

Steps:

• Partially skin eggplant and cut into cubes; set aside.
• Mix curry powder, coriander, garam masala, cumin, garlic powder, cayenne, salt, and pepper together in a small bowl; set aside.
• Start rice: bring beef stock, scallions, and ginger to a boil in a saucepan. Stir in rice and kosher salt. Cover, reduce heat to low, and simmer until tender, 10 to 15 minutes.
• Continue with stew: coat the bottom of a heavy pan with oil. Add onion and garlic and warm over medium heat until aromatic, 3 to 5 minutes.
• Stir eggplant into the onion mixture; cover and cook, stirring occasionally, for about 6 minutes. Remove cover and stir in tomatoes; simmer, stirring occasionally, for about 5 minutes. Stir in black beans and 1/2 of the scallions; the stew should be pretty thick at this point because of the tomatoes.
• Add 1 cup beef stock and stir in spice mix. Boil, stirring occasionally, for several minutes. Add up to 1 cup more beef stock as the stew cooks down to get the thickness you desire. About 1 minute before serving, stir in cilantro and remaining scallions to add flavor throughout.
• Serve stew over cooked rice.