Sweet Sour Aubergines Food

SWEET & SOUR LENTIL DHAL WITH GRILLED AUBERGINE

Steps:

• Cover the lentils, turmeric and tamarind paste with 500ml water. Add some salt and boil for 15 mins or until very soft. Skim off any foam that forms on the top. Meanwhile, heat 1 tbsp of the oil and cook the onion, garlic and ginger until golden, about 5 mins.
• Add the curry powder and cook for a further 2 mins. Pour in the lentil mixture and cook for another 10 mins.
• Meanwhile, heat a griddle pan until very hot. Rub the remaining oil over the aubergine slices and season. Cook for 2-3 mins each side until cooked through and charred. Eat with basmati rice, lime or mango chutney and a sprinkling of coriander, if you like.

MINTY SWEET AND SOUR EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE)

Steps:

• Preheat the broiler and position the rack on the top level.
• Line a baking sheet with foil and brush the foil with oil.
• If using Japanese eggplants, slice on the diagonal 1/3 inch thick.
• If using Italian eggplants, slice in half lengthwise, and then cut slices 1/3 inch thick.
• Lay as many as will fit on the baking sheet and brush with oil and sprinkle with salt and pepper.
• Broil until lightly browned.
• Turn and repeat.
• If you have more slices than will fit on one baking sheet, repeat the process until all slices have been browned.
• Turn off broiler and pre-heat oven to 350°F.
• Toast the cumin seeds in a small saute pan until they darken and give off an aroma.
• Cool the seeds and place in a bowl with the rest of the seasoning ingredients.
• Lay the eggplant slices in a baking dish in slightly over-lapping rows or concentric circles. Dribble or brush over each row the seasoning mixture until all slices are used.
• Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes. (Result is a lovely casserole/gratin of eggplant to serve as a side.
• In the alternative, place slices on baking sheet, brush with seasoning mixture and bake till mixture is absorbed. (Result is a canape which can be served on its own).
• Beware--the aroma is so good you will be tempted to pick one up and eat it to the despair of your fingertips and tongue.
• As a canape or a side, the eggplant can be served hot or at room temperature.

SWEET AND SOUR EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE) ( AGRODOLCE)

Steps:

• In a colander over a bowl, combine the eggplant with enough kosher salt to coat evenly.
• Let the eggplant sit for 30 minutes then rinse in cold water and wring out any excess moisture with your hands; pat dry.
• Heat 3 tablespoons of olive oil in a medium saucepan over high heat.
• Add the eggplant and brown on all sides; remove from the heat and drain on paper towels.
• Add the remaining olive oil to the pot and then add the celery, red pepper and red onion.
• Sauté for several minutes, allowing the vegetables to soften and brown a little.
• Add the eggplant, capers, pine nuts, white wine vinegar, sugar and salt and pepper.
• Bring to a boil, reduce to a simmer, and cook, partially covered, for 10 minutes until the vegetables have cooked through and the liquid reduced.

SWEET & SOUR EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE)

Steps:

• Cut the eggplants into cubes.
• Put them in a colander, sprinkle with salt, and let stand for 30 minutes.
• Rinse thoroughly under cold running water and drain well.
• Pat thoroughly dry with absorbent paper towels.
• Heat the oil in a large skillet and sauté the eggplant cubes, stirring constantly, for about 1-2 minutes.
• Stir in the garlic and onion and cook further 2-3 minutes.
• Stir in the tomatoes, mint, and stock, cover, and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the vegetables are tender.
• Stir in the brown sugar, red wine vinegar, and chile flakes; season with salt and pepper to taste, and cook for 2-3 minutes.
• Garnish the eggplant with fresh mint sprigs and serve.

HOT & SOUR AUBERGINE

Steps:

• Put the aubergine in a bowl of lightly salted water and stand for 30 mins to soften. Drain and pat dry. Blanch the green beans in boiling water for 1 min then drain, rinse in cold water and drain again.
• To make the sauce, combine all the ingredients in a small bowl and set aside.
• Heat the oil in a large frying pan or wok over medium-high heat. When hot, cook the aubergine pieces until nicely browned on all sides - don't turn them too early, let them get a nice colour first. When they start to brown, add the onion and chilli, and keep stir-frying for 4 mins or until soft.
• Add the sauce and green beans, cover with a lid, lower the heat and simmer for 2 mins or until the aubergine is soft. Serve with rice.

HOT & SOUR AUBERGINES

Steps:

• In a small bowl, mix together the sauce ingredients. Heat a large frying pan and pour in 1 tbsp of the oil. Season the aubergine and brown on all sides until soft (you may need to add another 1 tbsp oil as they cook) - this will take about 15 mins. Set aside.
• Pour the remaining oil into a wok. Add the onion and garlic, and stir-fry for 3-4 mins on a low heat until the onion is soft and the garlic golden. Add the aubergine and pour the sauce over. Stir together, turn the heat down to low and cover with a lid for 2 mins. Take the lid off and stir-fry again for 1 min more. Serve with chilli slices and coriander sprinkled over.