Aubergine Pomegranate Salad Food

ROASTED AUBERGINE SALAD

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Scatter the aubergines, peppers, onion wedges and garlic cloves into a large roasting tin, season with salt and pepper, then drizzle over 4 tbsp olive oil. Mix well using your hands to ensure everything is coated in the oil. Put in the oven for 30 mins, then remove and tip in the cherry tomatoes and chickpeas. Mix to combine and put back in the oven for 20 mins until everything is roasted. Remove from the oven and set aside to cool.
• Meanwhile, make the dressing by combining 2 tbsp of the pomegranate molasses with the lemon juice, honey, capers, remaining oil and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Tip the cooled aubergine mix into a serving bowl with the rocket and dressing, then gently toss to combine everything. Scatter over the sunflower or pumpkin seeds and drizzle over the remaining pomegranate molasses.

AUBERGINE SALAD

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 and line a baking tray with foil. Prick the aubergine with a sharp knife to prevent it from exploding, then put it on the prepared tray and roast for 45-55 mins until the skin is wrinkled and it is very soft.
• While the aubergine is roasting, make the dressing. Mix together the lemon juice, chilli, if using, the pomegranate molasses, garlic and olive oil in a bowl. Season and set aside.
• When the aubergine is cool enough to handle, peel and place it in a colander. Press down on it very gently over a bowl to allow the juices to run out, then transfer the aubergine to a serving plate and cut into large pieces. Dress quickly with half of the dressing, then add the spring onions, cherry tomatoes and peppers to the plate. Pour over the remaining dressing and mix with your hands or a spoon to coat. Serve scattered with mint, pomegranate seeds and more olive oil drizzled over.

ROASTED AUBERGINE WITH POMEGRANATES & PARSLEY

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Halve the aubergines lengthways, then chop them into cubes, about 2.5cm across. Transfer to a large bowl.
• Using a pestle and mortar or small food processor, break the coriander and cumin seeds down a little, so that they are crushed but not ground to a powder. Add them to the aubergines. Next add the olive oil and a good pinch of salt and pepper. Use your hands and turn the aubergines over in the oil and spices until evenly coated. Tip onto a baking tray that can hold the aubergines in a single layer. Cook for 30-35 mins, turning once, until crisp, dark at the edges and utterly squashy.
• Cool to almost to room temperature before transferring to a bowl and mixing in the parsley. Season, then drizzle with a little oil. Dollop over yogurt and scatter with pomegranate seeds before serving.