Eggplant stew, called kawaj in Syrian, is simply chunks of eggplants, potatoes, and tomatoes stewed to tender submission. It’s a comforting vegan and vegetarian dish for cold weather.
Popular in Syria, this hearty vegetarian stew laden with eggplant, potatoes, and tomatoes is simple to make and comforting as heck. And it contains a lovely trick of layering the vegetables and leaving them alone during cooking. Seriously, resist the temptation to stir. You’ll thank yourself later.–Angie Zoobkoff
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Eggplant Stew | Kawaj
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup mild vegetable oil
- 1 small onion coarsely grated
- 2 1/2 pounds russet potatoes peeled and cut into 1-inch (2.5 cm) chunks
- 2 large (about 2 pounds) globe eggplants cut into 1 1⁄2-inch (4 cm) chunks
- 1 teaspoon sweet paprika
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- 3 teaspoons salt
- 1/2 cup coarsely chopped parsley leaves and tender stems (a little less than 1/2 small bunch)
- 3 medium (about 1 1/2 pounds) tomatoes peeled and coarsely chopped
- Parsley leaves for garnish (optional)
Directions
- In a large pot set over medium-high heat, warm the oil. Add the onion and cook until fragrant, about 1 minute. Add the potatoes, followed by the eggplant. Do not stir. Sprinkle with the paprika, pepper, 2 teaspoons salt, and then the chopped parsley. Do not stir. Cover and cook for 5 minutes.
- Place the tomatoes on top and sprinkle with 1 teaspoon salt. Do not stir. Cover and cook until the tomatoes begin to soften, about 7 minutes.
- Stir all the vegetables together, cover, and cook until slightly softened, 10 to 15 minutes. Give everything a good stir, scraping and incorporating any browned bits on the bottom of the pot.
- Cover and cook until the vegetables are tender, the tomatoes have broken down, and the sauce has thickened, 10 to 15 minutes.
- Sprinkle the eggplant stew with parsley, if using, and serve immediately.
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Recipe Testers’ Reviews
As my eyes went down the list of ingredients for this eggplant stew and saw just two spices—sweet paprika and black pepper—my first thought was “I bet this is going to be pretty bland.” Well, I was delighted to be proven wrong. The stew was flavorful in the most humble and familiar way, like something I would have grown up eating, even though my childhood was spent far, far away from Syria. I loved that the potatoes tasted like potatoes and the eggplant wasn’t overpowered by aromatics.
You’ll like the layering technique. It works well in terms of the doneness of each vegetable, but it also buys you time to prep the ingredients as you cook. With the second stir, I got to the bottom of the pan and scraped off the browned bits and incorporated them into the rest of the stew, giving it an added depth of flavor. The recipe says to serve immediately, but I really enjoyed this stew the following day at room temperature. If you’re so inclined to make your own bread to go with this dish, I’d suggest Mkate Wa Ufuta (Zanzibar Sesame Bread)
This is a homey, comforting, and versatile eggplant stew. I used sweet potatoes in place of white potatoes but otherwise followed the recipe exactly. The cooking times were right on and in the end, the eggplant pieces were soft and unctuous, the tomatoes had broken down to create a savory sauce, and the potatoes were creamy and filling.
This could be a side dish with any grilled meat or the center of a rice bowl for a vegetarian meal. I served it over brown rice with a generous topping of fresh parsley, a lemon wedge to bring some additional acidity, and a side of peach and jalapeno chutney. The only comparison I can think of is to say that it reminded me of a Syrian take on ratatouille. This is a vibrant veggie dish that you could make year-round and serve in any number of ways.
Originally published November 07, 2018
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If you make this recipe, snap a photo and hashtag it #LeitesCulinaria. We'd love to see your creations on Instagram, Facebook, and Twitter.
This tasted amazing and I can’t believe how little work was involved. I used a 5.5 qt dutch oven and the bottom of the pan was significantly browned/burnt-ish. I wasn’t able to scrape much of it off throughout the cooking process. Could a similar effect be achieved by simmering on low for longer? I think the bottom browning/burning mostly happened in the first couple of steps, before mixing all the ingredients together. Thanks for your feedback!
I’m so glad you enjoyed this, Elle. You do want some browning to occur, as it adds tremendous flavor to the stew, however, if it was excessive, and to the point of burning, then yes, perhaps try reducing the temperature a little bit.
Amaaaazing recipe!! I added 3/4 cup water for more stew. I also added more spices: 1 tsp of coriander powder and 1 tsp of fenugreek powder. Overall, i couldn’t believe how fast and easy it was. My husband said, “I don’t really like eggplant, but this is not that eggplant. This is just pure pleasure.” :))) Will definitely save this one.
That is high praise indeed, Anna! Thrilled that both of you loved this and grateful you took the time to let us know. Thank you so much!
I’ve made a very similar dish before, but adding some Pimenton-smoked paprika; a little sweet, and a little hot to the dish.
I have also made this with Asian eggplants, besides globe variety, and have sprinkled the top not just with parsley, but with some cilantro as well.
Mark, thanks for this. Your combos sound delicious!