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Lebanon · Food

Mnazzaleh (Eggplant and Lamb Stew)

90 min
670 kcal
4 servings

By eatmundo · August 3, 2026

Mnazzaleh (Eggplant and Lamb Stew)🇱🇧AI-generated image

Same ingredients, elsewhere in the world

1 match

This dish doesn't have a strong Mundo Match yet — but here's the closest ingredient overlap we found across the world's cuisines. The percentage is the share of ingredients the two recipes have in common.

Same technique: Stew404 recipes from 26 countries

A delightful Lebanese stew featuring tender eggplant and succulent lamb simmered in a tangy pomegranate-infused sauce. It is a classic comfort dish that highlights the bright, citrusy notes of Lebanese cuisine.

According to eatmundo's ingredient comparison, the closest dish to Mnazzaleh from another cuisine is Türlü (Türkiye): the two share 47% of their ingredients.

Ingredients

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Adapt this recipe:
4 servings

How to Make It

  • 1

    Peel the eggplants in stripes and cut into 3cm chunks, then fry in 50ml oil until golden brown.

  • 2

    Sauté the finely chopped onions in the remaining 45ml olive oil in a large pot until translucent and soft, about 5 minutes.

  • 3

    Add the minced lamb to the onions, cooking over medium-high heat until browned and fragrant.

  • 4

    Stir in the tomato paste, seven spice, and salt, coating the meat thoroughly for 2 minutes.

  • 5

    Add the fried eggplants to the pot and pour in 300ml of water to create a light sauce base.

  • 6

    Simmer gently over low heat for 30 minutes until the eggplant is melt-in-the-mouth tender, then stir in the 45ml lemon juice and simmer 2 more minutes to give the sauce its characteristic sourness (hamod).

  • 7

    Toast the pine nuts in a separate small pan with 5ml of olive oil until golden brown.

  • 8

    Serve the stew hot in deep bowls, garnished generously with the toasted pine nuts.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mnazzaleh?

Mnazzaleh is a Lebanese stew of fried eggplant, minced lamb, onions and pine nuts simmered in a tomato sauce spiced with seven spice and soured with lemon juice. It is typically served as a main course for lunch or dinner alongside vermicelli rice.

Can I use ground beef instead of lamb?

Yes, ground beef works perfectly fine, though lamb provides a richer, more traditional depth of flavor.

How do I avoid the eggplant becoming too mushy?

Frying the eggplant beforehand helps it hold its shape during the final simmering process.

Is this dish spicy?

No, it is not hot-spicy; the 'seven spice' blend is aromatic, providing warmth rather than heat.

What is the best side dish for this?

It is traditionally served with a portion of warm, buttery vermicelli rice.

All Mundo matches

Türkiye

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