I prefer to brown the beef and eggplant prior to placing it in the slow cooker as I like the depth of flavour it adds. This is the method I have given below. If you are short on time, add all the beef and vegetables to the slow cooker, mix together the liquid ingredients and pour them over the beef, then cook as usual. I like to blanch the beans and add them right at the end as I don't like them too soft. If you don't mind soft beans, add them at the start of the cooking time. This recipe is suitable for a standard size slow cooker. My slow cooker is 4.5L