Khoresht-e Bademjan
Eggplant and lamb stew with unripe sour grapes
Ingredients
Stew
- 4 tablespoons olive oil, divided
- 2 pounds lamb shanks with bone in
- 1 large onion, diced
- 4 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon turmeric, ground
- 6 fresh ripe tomatoes, diced
- 2 tablespoons tomato paste
- 2 1/2 cups water
- 2 teaspoons salt, divided
- 1/2 teaspoon pepper, ground
- 6 tablespoons verjuice (unripe sour grape juice), or fresh lemon juice, adjust to your taste
- 4 tablespoons Ghooreh, unripe sour grapes
Eggplants
- 6 tablespoons olive oil, adjust as needed
- 3 Chinese eggplants, or 2 small Italian, peeled, and quartered lengthwise
Instructions
- In a large Dutch oven, saute the lamb shank with 2 tablespoons of oil for 5 minutes on medium-high heat, turning a few times. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- Add the onions to the Dutch oven and saute over medium-low heat for about 10 minutes or until lightly golden.
- Add garlic and turmeric and saute for 2 additional minutes.
- Add the tomato paste and continue to saute for 2 minutes.
- Return the lamb, add tomatoes, water, 1 teaspoon salt, and pepper, cover, and bring to a gentle simmer. Reduce heat and simmer on low heat for 60 minutes.
- While the lamb cooks, toss the peeled and quartered eggplants with the remaining 1 teaspoon of salt.
- In a large frying pan, saute the eggplants over medium-low heat with oil to lightly brown the eggplants on all sides, about 15 minutes. Remove from the pan and set aside.
- After the lamb has been cooking for 60 minutes, add verjuice, and Ghooreh. Stir and continue to cook for 30 minutes.
- Arrange the partially cooked eggplants on top of the stew and gently press them down to submerge them into the stew.
- Cover and cook over low heat for another 30 minutes. Lamb should be tender at this stage.
- Remove from heat, adjust for seasoning and allow to sit for 5 minutes before serving.
- Gently transfer the stew into a serving dish without disturbing the eggplants too much so that they maintain their integrity.
- Serve the stew with Persian saffron basmati rice.
Notes
Can substitute chicken or beef for the lamb, adjust the cooking time accordingly.
Ghooreh can be purchased at Persian markets. Though it is an essential ingredient for this stew, you can eliminate it by adding additional lemon juice to bring the subtle tartness that is necessary for this dish.
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