Aubergines In A Spicy Honey Sauce Food

GRILLED AUBERGINE (EGGPLANT) IN HONEY AND SPICES

Steps:

• Preheat a grill or griddle pan.
• Dip each aubergine slice in olive oil and cook either on grill or in griddle pan until golden on both sides.
• In a wide fry pan fry the garlic in a little olive oil for a few seconds then stir in the ginger cumin, harissa, honey and lemon juice.
• Add enough water to cover the base of the pan and to thin the mixture then lay aubergine slices into this.
• cook gently for about 10 mins or until all the sauce has been absorbed.
• add a little extra water if necessary to give a coating sauce, season to taste with salt and serve at room temperature with chunks of fresh bread.

AUBERGINES IN A SPICY HONEY SAUCE

Steps:

• Peel the aubergines (the peel remains tough when it is grilled) and cut them into rounds about 1cm/1/3in thick. Dip them in olive oil, turning them over, and sprinkle with salt.
• Cook on a griddle pan or under the grill, turning them over once, until they are lightly browned. They do not need to be very soft, as they will cook further in the sauce.
• In a wide saucepan or frying pan, fry the garlic in 2 tbsp of the oil for seconds only, stirring, then take off the heat. Add the ginger, cumin, cayenne or chilli powder, honey, lemon juice and water.
• Put in the aubergine slices and cook over a low heat, either in batches so that they are in one layer, or together - rearranging them so that each slice gets some time in the sauce - for about 10 minutes or until the slices are soft and have absorbed the sauce. Add a little more water if necessary to thin sauce.

ROAST AUBERGINES WITH YOGURT & HARISSA

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 200C/190C fan/gas 6. Pierce the aubergines a few times with the tip of a knife, then brush with olive oil and put them on a baking sheet. Roast for about 40-45 mins, or until the aubergines are completely tender.
• Melt the butter in a pan, then stir through the harissa (see our recipe). Cut the aubergines in half, opening them up a bit like a baked potato. Put them on a warm platter and season the inside of each one, then mix the yogurt with the garlic. Spoon some of this into each aubergine, then drizzle over the spiced butter. Scatter over the coriander and sesame seeds to serve.

GRILLED AUBERGINES WITH SPICY CHICKPEAS & WALNUT SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat 2 tbsp oil in a pan, add the onion and fry until soft and lightly browned, about 10 mins. Add the chilli, ginger and spices and mix well. Stir in the chickpeas, tomatoes and 5 tbsp water, bring to the boil, then simmer for 10 mins. Add a little salt and pepper and the lemon juice.
• Arrange the aubergines over a grill pan. Brush lightly with oil, sprinkle with salt and pepper, then grill until golden. Flip them over, brush again with oil, season and grill again until tender and golden.
• Mix the yogurt with the garlic, most of the walnuts and coriander and a little salt and pepper. Arrange the aubergine slices over a warm platter and spoon over the chickpea mix. Drizzle with the walnut sauce and scatter with the remaining walnuts and coriander.

SPICED AUBERGINE BAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Generously brush each aubergine slice with vegetable oil and place in a single layer on a baking tray, or two if they don't fit on one. Cook on the low shelves for 10 mins, then turn over and cook for a further 5-10 mins until they are golden. Reduce the oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4.
• Heat the coconut oil in a large, heavy-based frying pan and add the onions. Cover and sweat on a low heat for about 5 mins until softened. Add the garlic, mustard seeds, fenugreek seeds, garam masala, chilli powder, cinnamon stick, cumin and ground coriander. Cook for a few secs until it starts to smell beautiful and aromatic.
• Pour the chopped tomatoes and coconut milk into the spiced onions and stir well. Check the seasoning and add a little sugar, salt or pepper to taste.
• Spoon a third of the tomato sauce on the bottom of a 2-litre ovenproof dish. Layer with half the aubergine slices. Spoon over a further third of tomato sauce, then the remaining aubergine slices, and finish with the rest of the sauce. Sprinkle over the flaked almonds and coriander (if using), reserving some to serve, and bake for 25-30 mins. Serve garnished with more coriander.