Roasted Aubergine Courgette And Macaroni Bake Food

MEDITERRANEAN LAYERED BAKE

Steps:

• Add the sliced potatoes to a large saucepan with water and parboil (they should still be firm in the centre, but slightly softened on outside). Drain and set aside.
• Add the olive oil to a frying pan over a medium high heat, once hot, add the onion and fry for a couple of minutes until softened
• Add the peppers and garlic and fry for a further couple of minutes.
• Add the chopped tomatoes, tomato paste (puree), stock, balsamic vinegar, oregano, fresh basil and crushed fennel seeds.
• Bring to a boil and then reduce heat, and allow to gently bubble for 15-20 minutes until sauce reduces down and thickens (it's important to let the sauce reduce down and thicken otherwise it will be too watery).
• Taste sauce and season as needed with salt and black pepper.
• Set aside.
• Wipe the frying pan clean, spray with olive oil spray and place over medium heat, add the courgette and aubergine in batches until lightly browned on all sides and softened, seasoning with a little salt and black pepper as you do.
• Then you can begin the layering.
• Add half the tomato sauce to the bottom of the baking tray.
• Then add half the courgette and half the aubergine.
• Add half the potato slices in a then layer, slightly overlapping each other as you do.
• Then add the remaining tomato sauce, another layer of aubergine and courgette and then the final layer of potatoes.
• Preheat oven to 200c/fan 180c/400f or gas mark 6
• Add the milk to a saucepan, stir the cornstarch with a couple of tablespoon of water to make a slurry, add this into the milk, slowly heating until it starts to thicken. As it starts to thicken, stir in 30g of the parmesan until melted into the sauce.
• Pour the sauce over the potatoes, spreading out so it covers evenly with a spatula
• Top with the remaining parmesan and mozzarella.
• Cover with foil (it's important you use a deep enough tray so that the cheese doesn't touch the foil when covered)
• Place in the oven and bake for 30 minutes, remove foil and continue to bake for another 20-30 minutes until the top is lovely and golden.
• Sprinkle with some fresh chopped parsley
• Serve and enjoy!!

VEGETABLE PASTA BAKE

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 190C/170C Fan/Gas 5.
• Put the peppers, aubergine, courgette and onion into a roasting tin or deep baking dish and coat in the oil. Season with salt and pepper and cook for 45 minutes, turning twice, until the vegetables are tender and golden brown.
• Add the cherry tomatoes, chopped tomatoes, garlic and basil and cook for 10-15 minutes.
• Meanwhile, cook the pasta in boiling salted water according to pack instructions. Add 4-6 tablespoons of the pasta cooking water to the vegetables to loosen the tomato sauce.
• Drain the pasta and stir into the roasted vegetables. Stir through the mozzarella and pesto, top with Parmesan and return to the oven for another 10 minutes, until the cheese has melted.

ITALIAN AUBERGINE TRAYBAKE

Steps:

• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. In a roasting tin, toss the aubergine with the oil and roast for 15 mins, then stir in the tomatoes, garlic, olives and torn basil leaves, and cook for another 10 mins.
• Top with the bread and dot with the chunks of mozzarella. Bake for a further 25 mins, then scatter over the remaining basil leaves before serving.

PASTA ARRABBIATA WITH AUBERGINE

Steps:

• Heat the oil in a large non-stick pan, add the onions, cover and cook for 5 mins. Remove the lid and cook for 5 mins more, stirring frequently until softened. Add the garlic, chilli flakes and paprika, stir briefly, then tip in the tomatoes and a can of water. Stir in the bouillon and aubergine, then bring to a simmer, cover and cook for 20 mins.
• Cook the penne in a pan of boiling water for 12 mins until al dente. Drain, reserving 60ml of the cooking water. Add the cooked penne to the sauce, and toss well with the basil and a little of the reserved water, if needed. Spoon into two shallow bowls, and serve topped with the cheese and some extra basil, if you like.