Eggplant Stew with Spiced Mince and White Beans
A hearty, one-pan Mediterranean stew with golden eggplant, spiced mince, and creamy white beans, finished with a fragrant za'atar touch.
- Prep40 min
- Cook25 min
- Total1h 5m
- DifficultyEasy
- Servings2
This is the kind of dish that comes together in one pan but tastes like it simmered for hours. The eggplant is salted first to draw out any bitterness, then quickly fried until golden, before joining a fragrant mix of onion, garlic, and pepper.
The spiced mince and white beans make it substantial enough to serve as a main, while the za'atar stirred in at the end adds a bright, herbal lift. Pair it with couscous, bulgur, or rice to soak up every last drop of the rich tomato sauce.
Ingredients
Servings
Converted amounts are rounded.
Method
- Cut the eggplants into cubes, sprinkle generously with salt, and let them sit for 30-60 minutes. Rinse well, squeeze out the excess water, and drain in a sieve.
- Dice the onion, garlic, and bell pepper. Heat the olive oil in a skillet, briefly sauté the eggplant cubes until they take on color, then add the (vegan) mince and continue frying for a few minutes while stirring.
- Add the diced onion, garlic, and bell pepper to the skillet and cook for about 10 minutes.
- Add the drained white beans and the canned tomatoes with their juice. Fill the empty tomato can with water and pour it into the pan as well.
- Season with ras el hanout (or paprika powder as an alternative). Bring everything to a boil, then let it simmer for about 15 minutes.
- Stir in the za'atar (or dried thyme as an alternative), adjust the salt to taste, and serve with a grainy side like couscous, bulgur, millet, or rice.
💡 Tips
- Salting the eggplant is key to removing bitterness and preventing it from soaking up too much oil.
- If you don't have ras el hanout, a mix of cumin, coriander, and paprika works well.
- For a vegan version, use plant-based mince and check that your za'atar is free of any animal-derived ingredients.
Inspired by a recipe from Kitchen Stories