What’s hearty, healthy and pairs perfectly with za’atar pull-apart bread? This Lebanese eggplant stew, aka maghmour. It’s one of six recipes featured in the inaugural Spiced Pantry Box, and the first I attempted after rifling through the package’s contents.
Lebanese eggplant stew is an appealing entrée for a few reasons:
- It’s foolproof (as long as you don’t burn the aubergine in Step 1).
- It’s meaty despite being made entirely of veggies.
- It’s flavorful (thanks to the addition of pomegranate molasses and allspice) but not overwhelming.
If you like eggplant caponata or moussaka, I think you will enjoy this dish. Jason and I devoured it in a few days, and now the question is: What Lebanese specialty should I tackle next with my Spiced Pantry ingredients?
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Recipe adapted from Spiced Pantry.
- 2 large eggplants (about 2 pounds), cut into 1" cubes
- ¼ cup olive oil, divided
- ½ onion, diced
- 2 garlic cloves, minced
- 1 28 oz. can whole peeled tomatoes
- 1 15 oz. can chickpeas, rinsed and drained (see notes)
- 1 tablespoon pomegranate molasses
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- ½ teaspoon ground allspice
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
- Preheat broiler. Place eggplant on a baking sheet lined with foil. Drizzle with 2 tablespoons olive oil and toss to coat. Spread eggplant in a single layer. Broil, flipping once, until eggplant is charred, about 8 minutes. Remove from the oven and set aside.
- In a large pot, heat remaining 2 tablespoons olive oil over medium-high heat. Add onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until tender, about 5 minutes.
- Add garlic and cook for 1 minute.
- Add tomatoes with juice, crushing with your hands as you add them, and ½ cup water. Add broiled eggplant, chickpeas, pomegranate molasses, sugar, salt and allspice. Stir and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, stirring occasionally, for 40 minutes.
- Top eggplant stew with parsley and serve with za'atar pull-apart bread or steamed rice.
You are making me want to travel to Lebanon just to try this stew.. it looks absolutely divine and I’m sure tastes even better!
Thank you, Parker! All credit goes to Spiced Pantry for introducing me to Lebanese cuisine!
Tried it! It was fantastic! Thank you for the recipe!
So glad you liked it, Ayfer!
This is absolutely delicious, thank you for the recipe. It will become one of our regular dishes.
Thank you, Andree! So glad you enjoyed the recipe!