Blackened Sweet Aubergine Recipes

BLACKENED SWEET EGGPLANT (AUBERGINE)

Steps:

• Place eggplants in a tray and cook at the top of the oven for about 35 minutes, until the insides are very soft and the outsides dry and almost crisp.
• Remove from the oven, slit the skin and scrape out the flesh.
• Add cumin and garlic, stir in and break up. (You can make this smooth or coarse, depending on how you like it.) Add olive oil to loosen. Add lemon juice and season, to taste.
• Serve warm or at room temperature. If adding herbs do this at the last minute.

BURNT AUBERGINE VEGGIE CHILLI

Steps:

• If you have a gas hob, put the aubergine directly onto a lit ring to char completely, turning occasionally with kitchen tongs, until burnt all over. Alternatively, use a barbecue or heat the grill to its highest setting and cook, turning occasionally, until completely blackened (the grill won't give you the same smoky flavour). Set aside to cool on a plate, then peel off the charred skin and remove the stem. Roughly chop the flesh and set aside.
• In a large pan, heat the oil, add the onion and carrots with a pinch of salt, and fry over a low-medium heat for 15-20 mins until the carrots have softened.
• Add the aubergine, both types of lentils, the kidney beans with the liquid from the can, soy sauce, tomatoes, chocolate, chilli powder, oregano and the spices. Stir to combine, then pour in the stock. Bring to the boil, then turn down the heat to very low. Cover with a lid and cook for 1½ hrs, checking and stirring every 15-20 mins to prevent it from burning.
• Remove the lid and let the mixture simmer over a low-medium heat, stirring occasionally, for about 15 mins until you get a thick sauce. Stir in the lime juice and taste for seasoning - add more salt if needed. Serve hot over rice with whichever accompaniments you want!