Hot And Sour Aubergines With Caramelised Chilli Peanuts Recipes

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.

ROASTED AUBERGINE WITH CHILLI PEANUT DRESSING

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. Mix the oil with ½ tbsp sweet chilli sauce and 1 tsp soy. Cut the aubergine into wedges lengthways, then transfer to a foil-lined roasting tin. Pour over the sweet chilli mixture and toss. Separate them out so they cook evenly, then roast for 30 mins.
• Meanwhile, mix the remaining sweet chilli, soy and the peanut butter. Squeeze in the lime, then add a splash of water and set aside. When the aubergine has 15 mins left, cook the rice following pack instructions, then stir through the chopped coriander and spring onion.
• Pile the rice into a bowl, and top with the aubergine. Drizzle over the peanut sauce, then scatter over the coriander leaves and spring onions.

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.

CANDIED PEANUTS (CARAMELIZED PEANUTS)

Steps:

• Combine the sugar and water in a skillet. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until the mixture thickens into a syrup.
• Add the peanuts and continue stirring for about 10 minutes, or until the liquids evaporate and a sandy-textured sugar mixture coats the peanuts.
• Lower the heat and continue stirring as the excess sugar in the pan begins to melt. This will take another several minutes. Once the syrup begins to form, it will turn from clear to golden to amber. Stir constantly, and be careful that the heat is not so high as to burn or darken the syrup too much.
• When the syrup is a medium amber color and the sugary coating on the peanuts has glazed, add the salt if using and turn the peanuts out into your prepared pan. Spread the candied peanuts into a single layer to cool.
• Be sure the caramelized peanuts are completely cool before storing in an airtight container.

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!