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An image of stewed eggplant tomato lentils with fresh parsley on top.
4.28 from 58 votes

Stewed Eggplant Tomato Lentils

Author - Gena Hamshaw
Prep Time: 25 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 45 minutes
Yields: 4 servings

Ingredients

  • 1/2 cup (90 g) brown or pardina lentils, picked over and rinsed
  • 1 medium or large globe or Italian eggplant (see notes for substitutions), trimmed and cut into 3/4-inch cubes (about 1 1/4 lb/567 g after preparation)
  • 2 tablespoons (30 mL) extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 small white or yellow onion, chopped (about 150 g)
  • 4 cloves garlic, minced (15 g)
  • 4 medium sized vine (or 5 roma) tomatoes, trimmed and chopped (about 1 lb/454 g) or 1 14.5- or 28-ounce can whole, peeled tomatoes*
  • 1 tablespoon (12 g) cane or brown sugar (optional, to bring out the sweetness of the tomatoes)
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus extra for salting the eggplant
  • 3/4 cup (177 mL) water
  • dash crushed red pepper flakes, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons (30 mL) balsamic vinegar
  • 1/4 cup each fresh, chopped parsley and basil leaves

Instructions

  • Bring 2 1/2 cups water to boil in a pot. Add the lentils. Reduce the heat to low, cover, and simmer for 25 minutes, or until the lentils are tender. Gently drain off any excess water in the pot and set the lentils aside. (NB: you can also skip this step and use 1 cup pre-cooked or canned lentils in the recipe.)
  • While the lentils are cooking, place the cubed eggplant into a colander. Sprinkle it generously with kosher salt and allow it to sit for 15 minutes. Then, rinse the eggplant and pat it dry firmly with paper towels or a clean dish towel.
  • Heat the oil in a large skillet over medium. Add the onion. Cook for 5 minutes, stirring often, or until the onion is soft and clear. Add the garlic. Cook for another minute, or until the garlic is fragrant, stirring constantly.
  • Add the eggplant, tomatoes, sugar, and salt. Cover the skillet and cook for about 5 minutes, or until the eggplant is getting soft and the tomatoes have released their juices. Add 3/4 cup water to the skillet, along with the cooked lentils, crushed red pepper flakes, and vinegar. When the ingredients reach a simmer, reduce the heat to low. Continue to simmer, uncovered, for another 8-10 minutes, or until the mixture resembles a thick stew.
  • Add additional salt, vinegar, and pepper to taste. Stir in the fresh herbs. Serve.

Notes

If using whole, peeled, canned tomatoes, add them to the recipe at the same time you'd add fresh tomatoes. Then, use a spoon or a potato masher to crush the canned tomatoes directly in your skillet. Continue with the recipe.