Baked Adzuki Beans With Eggplant And Tomatoes

Total Time: 1 hr 30 mins Preparation Time: 30 mins Cook Time: 1 hr

Ingredients

• Servings: 6
• 1 cup dried adzuki beans
• 1 bouquet garni (thyme, parsley, and bayleaf)
• 2 small eggplants, unpeeled,and cut in 1 inch cubes
• kosher salt or sea salt
• 6 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 2 1/2 cups canned chopped tomatoes
• 1 cup chicken stock (or 1 bouillon cube dissolved in 1 cup water)
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 1/4 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• salt and pepper, to taste
• 4 tablespoons fresh basil, shredded
• 1/2 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese

Recipe

• 1 pick over and discard any damaged beans or stones; rinse the beans, then place in a sauce pan adding plenty of water to cover; soak for a minimum of three hours (can be all day).
• 2 drain the beans and return to the sauce pan with enough water to cover by 2 inches.
• 3 add the bouquet garni and bring water to the boil; reduce heat and simmer uncovered until the beans are tender (20 to 40 minutes); drain and set aside, discarding the bouquet garni.
• 4 place the eggplant cubes in a colander and sprinkle with kosher or sea salt; let drain for 30 minutes, then rinse and pat dry with paper towels (this step can be done while the beans are boiling).
• 5 pre-heat oven to 375â°f.
• 6 in a large frying pan over medium heat, heat 4 tbs of the olive oil then add the eggplant and saute until lightly browned on all sides (5 to 10 minutes).
• 7 when the eggplant has browned, transfer to a large baking dish (i use an oval 35 cm x 24 cm).
• 8 in the same frying pan, heat the remaining 2 tbs olive oil and saute the onion until it begins to soften but not brown (about 5 minutes).
• 9 add in the garlic and continue to saute 1 minute.
• 10 add the tomatoes, stock, allspice, red pepper flakes, and salt and pepper to taste; simmer slowly for 5 minutes, then transfer the mixture to the baking dish.
• 11 add the beans and the basil to the baking dish, and mix everything well.
• 12 sprinkle with the parmesan cheese and bake until golden, about 20 minutes.
• 13 serve immediately.