smoky eggplant ragu

You won’t miss the meat in this deliciously smoky and rich Italian sauce with walnuts added for texture. I served mine with ricotta gnocchi but any pasta or gnocchi will work. Use one large eggplant (aubergine). To get that smoky flavour, prick the skin a few times and blacken all over, either on a barbecue…… Continue reading smoky eggplant ragu

montadito

Montadito is Spanish for bread or toast with toppings, basically tapas on toast. These are excellent as pre-dinner nibbles or as a delectable lunch. Using fresh produce from the garden and served on lightly toasted sourdough rye bread, these four are from or inspired by the cookbook MORO easy by Sam and Sam Clarke. Pepper,…… Continue reading montadito

Korean eggplant

Here’s a delicious Korean eggplant side dish (Gaji-namul 가지나물) adapted from this Maangchi recipe. I used Italian eggplant instead of the usual Korean (Japanese) eggplants. Prepare a steamer with 2 cups of water and bring it to boil, Wash and trim your eggplants and cut them into bite-size pieces. Steam over high heat for 5 minutes…… Continue reading Korean eggplant

beef kofta curry + fried eggplant

Here’s a classic Pakistani-style kofta curry. Easy to make and utterly delicious! First make the kofta (meatballs). In a food processor pulse 1 small roughly chopped onion, 1 roughly chopped green chilli and a packed ¼ of cup of coriander (cilantro) leaves and stems until the onions are just chopped but not liquified. Add 450g (1 lb) of minced…… Continue reading beef kofta curry + fried eggplant

moussaka

The Greek version of Moussaka was created by Nikolaos Tselementes, a French-trained chef, in the 1920s. Somehow I’ve managed to post two vegetarian versions without ever posting the classic one that David loves to cook. Here is his adaptation of a recipe from The Complete Middle Eastern Cookbook by Tess Mallos. Preheat your oven to…… Continue reading moussaka

three sichuan salads

More cold dishes from The Food of Sichuan by Fuchsia Dunlop: “A Sichuan feast always begins with a teasing spread of cold dishes to arouse the senses and set the mood for the meal to come.” These three salads are all easy to make and delectable. Spicy steamed eggplant (aubergine) salad. For this salad, cut…… Continue reading three sichuan salads

vegetarian moussaka

This classic Greek dish is usually made with layers of eggplant and minced lamb, topped with a bechamel sauce. In this version mushrooms take the place of meat. It’s both satisfying and delicious. Slice 1.5kg (3.3 lbs) of eggplants (aubergines) into 1cm (less than ½”) slices. Brush with olive oil, season with salt and cook…… Continue reading vegetarian moussaka

eggplant and tofu in garlic sauce

I love Sichuan food. It’s so full of robust flavour without overpowering the ingredients. This recipe from Serious Eats has the perfect balance of salt, sweet, sour and spice. All the ingredients you might not recognise are readily available at Asian supermarkets. Cut 900g (2 lbs) of eggplants into chunks. Place them in a large…… Continue reading eggplant and tofu in garlic sauce