Pork Stew With White Beans

5 tablespoons olive oil

1 1/2 pounds boneless pork shoulder -- cut into 1" cubes

salt and pepper -- to taste 1/2 cup dry white wine

6 cups water -- (or more)

8 fresh thyme sprigs

2 bay leaves

1 cup onion -- minced

2 large garlic cloves -- minced

4 large plum tomatoes -- chopped

1. Place beans in bowl. Add enough water to cover by 1 inch; soak overnight. Drain.

2. Heat 2 Tbs.. oil in heavy Dutch oven over high heat. Season pork with salt and pepper. Working in batches, add pork to pan; brown on all sides, about 7 minutes per batch. Transfer to plate. Pour off drippings. Add wine to pan; cook 1 minute, scraping up any browned bits. Add pork, beans, 6 cups water, thyme, and bay leaves. Bring to simmer, skimming foam from surface. Reduce heat to low, cover and simmer until beans are tender, about 1-1/2 hours.

3. Meanwhile, heat 2 Tbs.. oil in heavy large skillet over high heat. Add eggplant and season with salt. SautÃÆ'© until brown, about 5 minutes. Drain on paper towels. Heat 1 Tbs.. oil in same skillet over low heat. Add onion; sautÃÆ'© 3 minutes. Add garlic; sautÃÆ'© 1 minute. Increase heat to medium-high. Add tomatoes; stir until thick, about 5 minutes. Add mixture to pork; add eggplant. Cover partially and simmer over low heat until eggplant is tender, adding more water if too thick, about 20 minutes. Season mixture with salt and pepper.