Bademjan Stew

In November we visited my husband’s family in Bolton Landing, NY. There were 9 to 10 of us, which could be a ton of cooking—there aren’t many restaurants there where a celiac can eat. Cooking with friends and family is fun in small doses, but cooking every meal for that many people for a week could be a very big job. To prevent this from happening my awesome mother-in-law and I created a meal plan for the week, far in advance. We kept it simple by doubling recipes, working the slow cooker, and planning plenty of no-cook options too. I mailed her a box of pantry items (organic tomato paste, my baking mixes, olives, dark chocolate, etc) ahead of time, and she shopped for organic meat and produce.

The plan was a success, and it was a totally relaxing and awesome time. But by far my favorite meal that we ate together was my brother-in-law’s Persian eggplant stew recipe “khoresht-e bademjan”. His recipe included lentils and molasses. He served white rice and sheep yogurt mixed with salt and dill on the side. Is your mouth watering? Mine is. It was epic. I knew that when we got home I would make my own version, and here it is. We’ve seriously had it every month since Ben first made it for us. I hope you love it too.

You know what makes this dish amazing? Of course the spices are crucial, but that’s not all. It’s all the avocado oil. I talk about this in Easy Paleo Meals, but to shorten it here: you need good fat, like avocado oil. First of all fat is satiating, meaning that you need it so that you don’t overeat. Also, get this: you need fat to lose weight or maintain your ideal weight because fat helps to balance your hormones and metabolism. Plus, fat reduces blood sugar and insulin levels, and is great for your nails and skin.

I am obsessed with Primal Kitchen Avocado Oil. It not only makes this recipe delicious, but it’s good for all the reasons I just mentioned 🙂 Another one of my favorite uses for Primal Kitchen Avocado Oil is cooking eggs, because not all of my family tolerates butter or likes the taste of ghee. And when I get the oil delivered I also get avocado oil mayonnaise, dressing, and crazy low-sugar Dark Chocolate Almond Bars with collagen. Yeah, basically everything they make makes your skin look awesome. 🙂 SO in love with Primal Kitchen. Okay, here’s my version of the recipe.

Bademjan Stew

4 pounds eggplant (3 to 4 eggplants)
1 cup + 1 tablespoon avocado oil, use divided
1 onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 tomatoes, roughly chopped
1/4 cup tomato paste
1/2 cup broth
1 teaspoon turmeric
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
optional: grape tomatoes and cinnamon sticks, to garnish

1. Preheat a large skillet over close to medium heat. Peel the eggplant and chop into 1 inch cubes. Set aside.
2. Add 1/4 cup of the oil to the skillet. Place half of the eggplant cubes into the skillet and spread evenly. Season with a couple big pinches of sea salt. Resist the urge to stir them until the first side is brown.
3. Meanwhile, heat your medium sized Dutch oven over low to medium heat and add 1 tablespoon of oil. Add the onion, garlic, tomato paste, broth, turmeric, cinnamon, and salt. When it reaches a simmer reduce the heat to low.
4. When the eggplant is brown on the first side add another 1/4 cup oil and stir. Resist the urge to stir them until the second side is brown.
5. When the eggplant is nicely browned and tender add it to the Dutch oven with the other ingredients. Repeat the process of cooking the eggplant, using 1/4 cup oil while the first side browns, and another 1/4 cup as the second side browns.
6. Transfer the eggplant to the Dutch oven, making sure to get all the yummy brown bits from the pan.
7. Turn off the heat and use a stick blender to puree the stew to the desired texture. We like ours just a little chunky.
8. Serve with white rice or cauli-rice. You can find organic cauliflower riced and ready to cook in lots of grocery stores now, or make it yourself. I have a spiced version HERE.
9. Enjoy!

♥, Kelly

This post was sponsored by Primal Kitchen. However, the opinions are my own, and I would never promote anything I didn’t strongly believe in.