Beef And Eggplant Stew (Greek - Crock Pot Version) - cooking recipe

Ingredients

2 lbs lean stewing beef, cut in 1 1/2 inch chunks
2 medium onions, sliced thin
2 garlic cloves, minced
1/4 cup olive oil
8 Japanese eggplants (the long, thin, striated white and purply ones)
1 cup beef stock
1 (1 lb) can tomato sauce
1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
3/4 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
1/8 teaspoon allspice
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 cup minced parsley
1/2 cup cubed feta cheese (optional)

Preparation

Wash the eggplant, then top and tail.
Don't bother to peel, just cut into 1 inch thick segments.
In large skillet, brown the beef, onions, garlic and eggplant in olive oil until dark golden-brown; drain.
Place in crock pot.
Combine the beef stock with the tomato sauce, vinegar, sugar, spices, and salt and pepper to taste, and stir it into the meat.
Cover and cook on low heat for 8-10 hours.
If serving with pasta, prepare pasta until al dente, pour onto a large serving platter and cover with meat, eggplant and sauce (you may add the feta- it is delicious).
Sprinkle minced parsley over.
If serving on its own as a main course, garnish with parsley and feta, serve with a green salad, lots of crusty bread (the sauce has to be mopped up!), and plenty of red wine.