Arabian Stew

This recipe is for 6 serves.
==Ingredients==
* 1 cup chickpeas, soaked overnight
* 2 lb large eggplants
* salt
* 8 tbsp olive oil
* freshly ground black pepper to taste
* 2 large onions, sliced thinly
* 10 small clove garlic, unpeeled
* 1 cup fresh or canned tomatoes, seeded and chopped (reserve juices)
* 1 tbsp tomato paste
* 3 clove garlic, peeled and crushed with 1 teaspoon salt
* 3 tbsp chopped parsley
* 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
* 2 tsp sugar
* ¼ tsp ground allspice or cinnamon
* fresh lemon juice
* sprigs of fresh mint
==Directions==
# Peel and halve the chickpeas, set aside.
# Remove and discard 3 vertical strips of skin from each eggplant, then cut the whole eggplant into 2½-inch chunks.
# salt the pieces and leave to drain in a colander for at least 1 hour.
# Rinse the eggplant, squeeze gently and pat dry with paper towels.
# Working in batches, lightly fry the chunks in 5 tablespoons hot oil until golden brown; drain.
# Sprinkle the eggplant with pepper and set aside.
# In a 2- or 3-quart casserole with a tight-fitting lid, warm the remaining olive oil and add the onions; sweat them over low heat 10 minutes, stirring occasionally until limp and golden.
# Add chickpeas and fry 2 minutes.
# Stir in the drained eggplant, unpeeled garlic, tomatoes and their juices, tomato paste and pepper.
# Cover tightly and cook over reduced heat without stirring 40 minutes.
# Carefully fold in the crushed garlic, parsley, vinegar, sugar and allspice.
# Cook 10 minutes longer until thickened (up to this point, the dish can be made one day in advance. Cool, cover and refrigerate so that the flavors will meld).
# To serve, return to room temperature, adjust the seasoning with salt, pepper and allspice and sharpen the taste with a few drops of lemon juice.
# Garnish with the mint.
Category:Saudi Arabian Vegetarian
Category:Stew Recipes
Category:Mint Recipes
Category:Tomato Recipes
Category:Onion Recipes
Category:Garlic Recipes
Category:Lemon juice Recipes
Category:Red wine vinegar Recipes
Category:Eggplant Recipes
Category:Chickpea Recipes
Category:Recipes that need photos
Category:Tomato paste Recipes