Incredible Sicilian Aubergine Stew Caponata Food

INCREDIBLE SICILIAN AUBERGINE STEW WITH COUSCOUS

Steps:

• Trim and cut the aubergine into large chunks. Heat a couple of lugs of olive oil in a large pan over a medium heat, add the aubergine, oregano and a little sea salt, then toss to coat.
• Turn the heat up to high and cook for 4 to 5 minutes, giving the pan a shake every now and then.
• While that's ticking away, peel and finely chop the onion and garlic. Pick and chop the parsley leaves and finely chop the stalks, then roughly chop the tomatoes.
• When the aubergine is golden all over, add the onion, garlic and parsley stalks, then cook for a further 2 minutes - if the aubergine gets too dry, add a little more oil to the pan.
• Drain and add the capers, destone and add the olives, then drizzle over the vinegar.
• When all the vinegar has evaporated, add the tomatoes and simmer for around 15 minutes, or until the aubergine is tender.
• Put the couscous into a bowl, add a pinch of salt and just cover with boiling water, then pop a plate on top and leave to fluff up.
• Lightly toast the almonds in a dry pan over a medium heat for 1 to 2 minutes, or until golden, keeping them moving.
• Use a fork to fluff up the couscous and stir through half the chopped parsley.
• Season the stew to taste, then drizzle with extra virgin olive oil.
• Serve the stew with the couscous and sprinkle with the almonds and remaining parsley.

EASY CAPONATA STEW

Steps:

• Heat the olive oil in a high-sided frying pan over a high heat, add the onion and aubergine with a big pinch of salt and fry until golden and softened, around 10 mins. Crush in the garlic with the oregano and cook for 1 min max, then tip in the capers and tomatoes. Half fill the empty can with water and add to the pan, bring to the boil then turn the heat down to a simmer until the sauce has thickened and the veg softened.
• Toast the bread, then drizzle with a little more olive oil. Squash the cherry tomatoes a bit with the back of a spoon, then stir in half the basil and season the caponata, adding lemon juice, salt and black pepper to taste. Tip into bowls, top with the remaining basil and serve.

CAPONATA

Steps:

• Pour the olive oil into a large heavybased saucepan or casserole, place over a medium heat and add the aubergines. Cook for a good 15-20 mins until they are soft. Scoop the aubergines out of the pan - you should be left with some olive oil. Add the shallots and cook for about 5 mins until they are soft and translucent. Add the tomatoes and cook slowly, so they break down and turn to a soft mush, then add the aubergines back to the pan. Now put in the capers, raisins, celery and vinegar, season well and cover with a lid. Cook over a low heat for 40 mins, until all the vegetables are soft. Stir gently so it doesn't break up too much; the stew should smell sweet and sour.
• When the caponata is cooked, leave to cool slightly while you make the bruschetta. Heat a griddle pan, drizzle the bread with olive oil and griddle until toasted and lightly charred on both sides, then rub with a garlic clove and season. Serve the warm caponata scattered with the basil leaves and pine nuts, with bruschetta on the side.