Spicy Baby Aubergine Stew

Name: Spicy Baby Aubergine Stew
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 45 min
Total time: 55 min
Yield: Serves 4
Cuisine: middle eastern
Ingredients: 2 tbsp olive oil; 2 red onions sliced; 4 garlic cloves smashed; 2 red chillies deseeded and sliced, or 2-3 dried red chillies left whole; 2 tsp coriander seeds toasted and crushed; 2 tsp cumin seeds toasted and crushed; 16 baby aubergines left whole with stalk intact; 2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes; 2 tsp sugar; bunch mint leaves, roughly chopped; bunch coriander roughly chopped; couscous and yogurt to serve

4.15 (30)

⏱ 55 mins 🍽 Serves 4 🌶 middle eastern ✅ Easy 🏷 Main course

This Middle Eastern main course is a wholesome one-pot stew featuring whole baby aubergines cooked with onions, garlic, and toasted spices in a tomato sauce. Fresh mint and coriander are stirred through just before serving. The dish is ready in 55 minutes, serves four people, and is traditionally accompanied by couscous and a dollop of yogurt for a complete meal.

Ingredients

2 tbsp olive oil
2 red onions sliced
4 garlic cloves smashed
2 red chillies deseeded and sliced, or 2-3 dried red chillies left whole
2 tsp coriander seeds toasted and crushed
2 tsp cumin seeds toasted and crushed
16 baby aubergines left whole with stalk intact
2 x 400g cans chopped tomatoes
2 tsp sugar
bunch mint leaves, roughly chopped
bunch coriander roughly chopped
couscous and yogurt to serve

Method

Warm the olive oil in a heavy saucepan, then cook the sliced red onions and smashed garlic cloves until they start to take on colour. Introduce the sliced red chillies along with the toasted, crushed coriander and cumin seeds. Once the seeds release a fragrant, nutty scent, add the whole baby aubergines and turn them to coat in the spiced onion mixture.
Pour in the two cans of chopped tomatoes and add the sugar. Place a lid on the pan and allow everything to cook gently for 40 mins, until the aubergines have become completely tender.
Adjust the seasoning of the sauce, then stir in half of the roughly chopped mint and coriander. Replace the lid and let it simmer for 2 mins. Finish by scattering the rest of the fresh herbs over the top and serve alongside couscous and yogurt.

Nutrition (per serving)

Calories148 kcal

Fat7 g

Saturates1 g

Carbs16 g

Sugars13 g

Fibre6 g

Protein5 g

Sodium124 mg

Recipe details

Skill levelEasy

CategoryMain course

Cuisinemiddle eastern

DietHealthy, Vegetarian