Baked Aubergine

Baked Aubergine

Ingredients

• 1 large aubergine, washed and cut in half lengthways
• 200g of mixed lentils, rinsed
• 1 small onion, diced
• 1 carrot, diced
• 1 pepper chopped
• 120g beans
• 1 clove of garlic, crushed
• 30g of cheese, grated
• 1 teaspoon of sweet paprika
• ½ a teaspoon of fennel seeds, crushed
• A handful of flat leaf parsley, chopped
• 1 small glass of red wine
• 300ml of vegetable stock
• 3 tbsps of olive oil
• Salt and pepper

Directions: Pre-heat the oven to 200c. Cut your aubergine in half and scoop out the flesh, leaving two aubergine shells. Brush with olive oil before placing in an oven proof dish. Cover with foil and bake for 20 minutes.

Place the mixed lentils in a pan with the wine and stock and bring to the boil. Reduce and simmer for 20-25 minutes, or until the lentils are cooked but still have bite.

Whilst the lentils are cooking, heat a tablespoon of olive oil in a separate pan and sauté the onion and garlic for two minutes before adding in the carrot and 30g of the chopped aubergine flesh. Cook for a further five minutes before adding the pepper, paprika, fennel seeds and half a tablespoon of olive oil. Cook for a further two minutes before adding the beans.

Heat for another few minutes, until the beans have warmed through. Once the lentils are cooked, drain them and add them to the bean and vegetable mix.

Take the pan off the heat and grate in the cheese. Season to taste and stir in half of the parsley, before mixing well. Spoon the mixture into the aubergine shells, sprinkle with a little of the leftover parsley and serve.

Served with a side of greens, these stuffed aubergines will make sure your vegetarian guests won’t be disappointed.

By-Pavithra N Raj, Dietician Executive, Columbia Asia Hospital