Persian Eggplant Stew
["3 medium eggplants", "1 tsp. salt (for eggplants)", "1/2 tsp. pepper", "1 lb. stew beef or lamb, cut into 1-inch cubes", "1/2 tsp. salt", "1 tsp. cinnamon", "1 tsp. turmeric", "1/2 Tbsp. lemon juice", "1 c. vegetable oil", "2 Tbsp. butter or margarine", "1 large onion, halved and sliced", "2 Tbsp. tomato paste, dissolved in 1/4 c. hot water", "4 large tomatoes, halved", "3 c. water"]
["Peel eggplant and cut lengthwise in 1/2-inch slices.", "Sprinkle both sides of each slice lightly with salt (to prevent eggplants from soaking up too much oil while browning).", "Set aside."]
["eggplants", "salt", "pepper", "stew beef", "salt", "cinnamon", "turmeric", "lemon juice", "vegetable oil", "butter", "onion", "tomato paste", "tomatoes", "water"]