Hot Stuff Cypriot Stuffed Aubergines And Minty Cumin Yoghurt Recipes

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 250C/495F/Gas 9.
• Grease a large oven to table dish - or a roasting dish with a little of the olive oil.
• Rinse the lentils under cold running water. Drain and place in a saucepan with the water and garlic. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes. The consistency should be thick because this will be stuffed in the aubergines.
• Cut the aubergines in half lengthways & bake them in the pre-heated oven for about 20 - 30 minutes. Leave them to cool and scoop out most of the flesh and keep it aside for stuffing, leaving an inch thick border to form a shell.
• Whilst the aubergines are cooking, heat the olive oil in a frying pan, add the onions, tomatoes and fry gently for 5 minutes. Chop the scooped aubergine flesh and add to the pan with spices. Cook gently for another 5 minutes. Now add the lentils, tomato puree,all the spices & salt and pepper to taste.
• Spoon the mixture into the shells. Bake for 15 to 20 minutes.
• Make the minted cumin yoghurt whilst the aubergines are baking; add the cumin and mint to the yoghurt & mix well. Put it into an attractive dish and garnish with a sprig of fresh mint.
• Serve the aubergines hot or cold, topped with the minted cumin yoghurt and an extra sprinkling of cayenne pepper if you need an extra "kick"!

Steps:

• Heat oven to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5. Leaving the stem on, cut the aubergine in half lengthways and score the flesh deeply with a sharp knife in a criss-cross fashion. Place in a shallow baking dish. Mix the olive oil and lemon juice then brush over the scored surface of the aubergine. Season with freshly ground black pepper and bake uncovered for 25-30 mins, until the flesh is tender.
• Meanwhile, put the couscous in a large bowl, pour over the boiling stock and leave to soak for 10 mins until all the stock is absorbed. Fluff up with a fork, then stir the apricots, tomatoes, spring onions and pine nuts into the couscous. Sprinkle with the cinnamon and toss well together.
• Remove the aubergine from the oven and scoop out the flesh, taking care to keep the skins intact. Chop the flesh and toss into the couscous mixture. Place the aubergine skins back in the baking dish and spoon the couscous mix into them, piling it up to hold a generous amount in each. Scatter any left over couscous mix around the edge of the dish.
• Return to the oven for 10 mins to heat through while you mix all the dressing ingredients together - add a drop of water if the dressing is too thick. To serve, heap the loose couscous mix under the stuffed aubergines so they're propped up on a slant. Drizzle over dressing and serve with mixed leaf salad.

Steps:

• Trim the aubergine and cut lengthways into 6 thick slices. Season all over and brush with 2 tbsp of the oil. Heat the remaining oil in a small pan and add the tomatoes, garlic and chilli flakes, along with a little salt. Cook gently for 3-4 mins until the tomatoes are just softened. In a small bowl, mix the yogurt with the mint and some seasoning.
• Heat a barbecue, griddle pan or grill, then cook the aubergine slices for 5-6 mins each side until nicely browned and softened. Serve 3 slices per person with the minty yogurt and tomato sauces.

Steps:

• Drizzle the aubergine slices with olive oil and a little salt and pepper, and toss in a bowl. Heat a griddle pan until hot and cook the slices on both sides until soft and lightly charred; you'll need to do this in batches. Leave to cool slightly on a serving plate.
• Meanwhile, mix the yogurt with the lemon juice, garlic and mint in a bowl. Season the mixture to taste. Drizzle the yogurt mixture over the griddled aubergine and serve at room temperature.