Armenian Lentil Stew With Eggplant Golden Raisins Food

MSHOSH (ARMENIAN LENTIL DISH)

Steps:

• Rinse the lentils. Place them into a pot and add water. (If using green lentils, add 3 cups of water, otherwise use the amount of water listed on the packaging.) Cook according to the package instructions. Season with salt to taste.
• While the lentils are cooking, heat the olive oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the onion and cook, stirring occasionally, until golden (about 5 minutes).
• Add the chopped walnuts and chopped apricots to the onions. Stir, making sure all pieces are covered in oil and cook for about 2 to 3 minutes, until the apricots start to caramelize and the mixture becomes fragrant. Turn off the heat and set aside until the lentils finish cooking.
• When the lentils are done, take them off of the heat. (There should be little to no water remaining.)
• Transfer the onion and apricot mixture to the pot with the lentils. Stir everything together, cover and let stand, off of the heat, for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to blend.
• Garnish with black pepper and parsley before serving.

LENTIL AND ORZO STEW WITH ROASTED EGGPLANT

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 425 degrees. In a large bowl, toss the eggplant with 1/4 cup olive oil and crushed coriander seeds until coated; season with salt and pepper. Arrange in an even layer on a large rimmed baking sheet and roast until eggplant is tender and golden brown, 25 to 30 minutes, giving the baking sheet a shake halfway through roasting to toss the eggplant pieces for even cooking.
• In a large skillet, heat the remaining 2 tablespoons oil over medium. Add the carrot, onion and celery. Season with salt and pepper. Cook, stirring frequently, until vegetables are softened, about 3 minutes.
• Stir in the garlic and tomato paste and cook, stirring occasionally, until tomato paste begins to darken on the bottom of the pan, about 5 minutes.
• Stir in the lentils until coated. Pour in stock or water and bring to a boil over high heat. Lower to medium and simmer until lentils are tender, 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the type and age of lentils you use.
• Stir in the orzo and cook until softened, 8 to 10 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in the lemon zest and juice.
• Season to taste with salt and pepper. Top with the roasted eggplant pieces and large shavings of ricotta salata, and serve with lemon wedges for squeezing.

TRADITIONAL ARMENIAN GOMGUSH

Steps:

• Combine basil, cilantro, parsley, and thyme in a bowl. Reserve 2 tablespoons in a bowl and refrigerate. Place 1/2 of the herb mixture in the bottom of a large soup pot. Add 1/2 the tomatoes, 1/2 the bell peppers, and the potatoes in layers. Top with lamb and season with cumin, mint, salt, and black pepper. Add eggplant, carrots, remaining tomatoes, remaining bell peppers, and remaining herb mixture. Pour in beer.
• Cover the pot with a lid and cook over medium heat about 1 hour. Add onions and garlic. Season with salt if necessary and cook 2 hours more. Garnish with reserved 2 tablespoons herb mixture and serve hot.

EGGPLANT STEW WITH HONEY AND GOLDEN RAISIN POLENTA

Steps:

• Place dried mushrooms and 2 cups chicken stock in a small pot over medium-low heat.
• Heat the extra-virgin olive oil in a Dutch oven or high sided skillet over medium to medium-high heat. Add garlic, crushed pepper, onions, carrots, celery, peppers, and eggplant to the pot as you chop them. Add the bay leaf, season with salt and pepper and cover the pot to sweat the vegetables out a little faster. Stir occasionally for 10 to 12 minutes then uncover and add the balsamic vinegar.
• Remove the reconstituted dried mushrooms to the pot with a slotted spoon. Pour in all but the last few tablespoons of mushroom stock. The last of the stock can hold a little loose grit from the dried mushrooms. Add tomatoes and break up with a wooden spoon. Simmer over low heat the last few minutes before serving. Adjust salt and pepper.
• Heat the remaining 2 cups stock with 1 cup milk, golden raisins and rosemary over medium high heat. Whisk in polenta and stir 3 minutes until thickened. Remove from heat and stir in honey, butter and cheese.
• Pile some polenta in shallow bowls and spoon the stew around the polenta.;

ARMENIAN VEGETABLE STEW

Steps:

• Cook eggplant, zucchini, bell peppers, apple, onion, and garlic in oil in a 5-quart heavy pot over moderately low heat, uncovered, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are softened, about 40 minutes. Stir in tomatoes with juice, okra, tomato paste, salt, and pepper and cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until stew is slightly thickened, 15 to 20 minutes. Remove from heat and stir in lemon juice. Cool, uncovered, and serve warm or at room temperature. Stir in parsley and salt to taste just before serving.