Ali Nazik Turkish Stew
INGREDIENTS
Lamb
2 pounds American Lamb Chunks (your favorite cut) cut into 1 inch cubes
1 teaspoon each salt and pepper
½ teaspoon nutmeg
1 teaspoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons chili flakes or turkish pul biber
Stew
1 Tablespoon oil
1 large onion finely minced
5 cloves garlic
¼ cup Turkish pepper paste (or 2 roasted peppers minced)
½ cup tomato juice (or pureed tomatoes)
2 cups stock
1 bay leaf
Eggplant-Yogurt Sauce
3-4 Japanese eggplants
2 cups yogurt
2 cloves garlic
¼ teaspoon each salt and pepper
Juice of half a lemon
Garnish
Fresh mint
Fresh parsley
Lemon juice
Chili flakes
Fresh chilies
Bread
DIRECTIONS
Start by seasoning the lamb with all the spices and set aside.
Make the stew by sauteing the onions in oil until translucent and soft-this should take 6-8 minutes depending on the size of your onion mince. Add in the spiced lamb and garlic and sautee for another 5-6 minutes.
Then add remaining stew ingredients and bring the mixture to a boil. Cover the stew and allow the lamb to cook over low heat (gentle boil) for 1 hour.
In the meantime, Prick the eggplants using a knife or fork. Place the egg plants directly over flameāstove, BBQ or broiler. You want the skin to be charred and black, and the eggplant will be soft.
Cover the eggplants and set aside for 10 minutes until the skin has softened.
Mix the yogurt with seasoning, garlic and lemon juice.
Peel the eggplant and mince it using a knife
Once the lamb is ready, begin plating the dish. Start by layering the eggplant and yogurt at the bottom of the plate, mixing them well.
Serve the stew right on top of the eggplant yogurt mixture along the middle.
Garnish with more chili flakes, herbs and lemon.
Serve right away and enjoy.