Basic Italian Eggplant Stew Recipes

Steps:

• Heat oil in a 7-to 8-quart heavy pot over medium-high heat until it shimmers. Add onions, celery, carrots, and garlic and cook, stirring occasionally, until pale golden, about 10 minutes. Add eggplant and water and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until eggplant is slightly softened, about 10 minutes.
• Stir in tomatoes with juice and bell peppers, then reduce heat to low and cook, uncovered, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook green beans in a 3- to 4-quart saucepan of well-salted boiling water until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Transfer with a slotted spoon to a large bowl. Add zucchini to boiling water and cook until crisp-tender, about 5 minutes. Transfer with slotted spoon to bowl with green beans. Add potatoes to boiling water and cook until just tender, about 10 minutes. Drain and add to beans and zucchini.
• Add boiled vegetables to stew and simmer, stirring, until all vegetables are very soft, about 15 minutes. Season with 1 1/2 teaspoons salt and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.

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.