Griddled Aubergines With Sesame Dressing Food

GRILLED AUBERGINE WITH CREAMY DRESSING

Steps:

• Heat a griddle pan or grill. Brush each aubergine slice with olive oil. Cook in batches for 2-3 mins, turning once, until softened and lightly charred. Arrange on a serving platter and season with pepper.
• To make the dressing; whisk the remaining ingredients until well combined and season to taste. Drizzle over the grilled aubergines, then serve at once.

GRILLED AUBERGINE, WATERMELON & SESAME SALAD

Steps:

• Rinse the rice under cold water to get rid of some of the starch, then cook following pack instructions. Drain, then spread out on a baking tray and leave to cool completely.
• Meanwhile, heat a griddle pan until searing hot. Toss the aubergine slices in 3 tbsp oil then, working in batches, cook for around 5 mins on each side until tender and charred. Put them in a bowl, then cover with foil so they continue to soften. Set the pan aside (there's no need to wash as you'll use it later).
• Line a baking tray with parchment. Mix the sesame seeds, chilli flakes and a good pinch of sea salt together. Melt the sugar in a small saucepan over a low heat - resist the temptation to stir otherwise it will crystallize. Once the sugar is a deep caramel colour, turn off the heat and stir in the sesame mix, then tip onto the parchment. Flatten the brittle out as best you can (be careful as it will be very hot) and leave to cool.
• Whisk the remaining oil with the miso, ginger, lime juice and sesame oil, then whisk in enough water to loosen the dressing. Season to taste, then set aside.
• Reheat the griddle pan. Lightly salt the watermelon slices and griddle for 30 secs on each side until charred, then set aside.
• To assemble the salad, mix the aubergine and dressing through the rice, then transfer to a large serving bowl. Top with the feta and watermelon, then break the brittle into shards and stand them upright for dramatic effect in the salad.

GRIDDLED AUBERGINES WITH SESAME DRESSING

Steps:

• Brush each aubergine slice with some oil, then season. Heat a griddle pan or barbecue. When hot, griddle the aubergine slices for 2-3 mins on each side until golden brown and tender.
• Mix the yogurt with the tahini, garlic, lemon juice and herbs, then season. Top the aubergines with the dressing and scatter over extra herb leaves.

GRIDDLED VEGETABLES WITH MELTING AUBERGINES

Steps:

• Grill the aubergine, turning frequently, until soft all over and the skin is blistered, about 8-10 mins. Alternatively, if you have a gas hob, cook it directly over the flame. When it is cool enough to handle, remove the skin, finely chop the flesh and mix with the lemon juice, 1 chopped clove garlic, 1 tbsp parsley, 1 tsp extra virgin olive oil and the seeds. Mix the remaining parsley with the remaining chopped garlic and the lemon zest.
• Meanwhile, mix the thyme, crushed garlic and rapeseed oil and toss with the vegetables, keeping the onions as slices rather than breaking up into rings. Heat a large griddle pan and char the vegetables until tender and marked with lines - the tomatoes will need the least time. Pile onto plates with the aubergine purée and olives, drizzle over a little extra olive oil and scatter with the parsley, lemon zest and garlic.

AUBERGINES WITH GARLIC & HERB DRESSING

Steps:

• Brush the aubergine on both sides with a little olive oil; you will need about 5 tbsp. Griddle, barbecue or grill the aubergine slices until lightly browned on both sides. Remove and arrange, overlapping, on a platter. This can be done on the previous day and chilled.
• Heat the red wine vinegar with the sugar in a small pan until it has dissolved, then brush over the aubergine slices. Heat the remaining oil in a frying pan, add the garlic and fry quickly until lightly toasted, then pour the garlic and oil into a small bowl. Just before serving, scatter the garlicky oil and herbs over the aubergines.