Inspired by the traditional North African flavours of a tagine, this dish is packed with warm, sweet spices which work perfectly with the star ingredients in this plant-based version. Chunky aubergines bring a subtle flavour and a meaty bite to the dish which complements the sweet earthiness of the chestnuts and the sunshiny bursts of apricot. I like to serve this with couscous and flatbreads but it’s equally nice served with quinoa or brown rice. This is a dish which can deliver comfort food in a bowl for one or be a show stopper at a meat-free dinner party. Either way, it’s one to make on repeat.
Ingredients:
2 tbsps olive oil
1 medium onion chopped
2 cloves of garlic minced
2 medium aubergines prepared as below *
180 g whole, cooked chestnuts
125g dried, ready to eat apricots
1 x 400 g tin chopped tomatoes
1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp ground ginger
½ tsp ground cumin
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp sea salt
1 heaped tsp preserved lemon paste or finely sliced rind from 2 preserved lemons (pulp / pips removed)
2 tbsps tomato puree
To serve:
A large handful of fresh mint finely chopped
1 tbsp pomegranate jewels
To make:
1. Heat the olive oil over a medium heat. Add the onions, spices, salt and garlic and sauté for 5 minutes until tender
2. Add the prepared aubergines and stir well until coated with the spices – fry over a gentle heat for five minutes
3. Add the chopped tomatoes, the tomato puree, the lemon paste and 1 cup of hot water. Stir well and bring to a gentle simmer. Simmer for 30 minutes.
4. Add the apricots and the chestnuts and simmer for a further fifteen minutes
5. Sprinkle the mint and pomegranate jewels over the tagine before serving
*Preparing the aubergines:
· Top and tail the aubergines then cut into 1” deep discs
· Place discs on a chopping board and sprinkle top side of the aubergines with salt. Leave for half an hour to allow the salt to ‘sweat’ out the excess water from the aubergine
· Pat the aubergine discs dry to remove the excess water and the salt
· Cut each disc into four and use in recipe as above
