Sweet and sour aubergines

Succulent and savoury.
Serves 4

Ingredients 

  • 1 tsp salt
  • 8 baby aubergines, quartered lengthways
  • 3 tbsp gram (chickpea) flour
  • 2 tsp cumin seeds
  • 2 tsp coriander seeds
  • 1 tbsp finely grated fresh ginger
  • 2 cloves of garlic, crushed
  • 1/2 tsp cayenne pepper
  • 1 tsp paprika
  • Handful of fresh coriander leaves, chopped
  • 3 tbsp coconut or vegetable oil
  • Juice of 1/2 a lemon
  • 3 tsp brown sugar

Method

  1. Rub ½ tsp salt into the aubergines and leave them to drain in a colander for 30 minutes.
  2. Put the chickpea flour, cumin seeds and coriander seeds into a heavy frying pan and toast on a medium heat until the seeds pop and the flour becomes darker. Scoop out into a pestle and mortar and roughly crush the seeds. Add the ginger, garlic, cayenne, paprika, fresh coriander, ½ tsp salt and bash into a thick, sticky paste.
  3. Pat the aubergines dry with kitchen paper, then rub the paste into them.
  4. Put the oil in a large frying pan. When it is hot add the aubergines and begin to fry, browning them on all sides for 3 or 4 minutes. Add 3 tbsp water. Pop a lid on the pan and leave to simmer for around 15 minutes.
  5. Whisk the lemon and sugar together and pour over the aubergines. Continue to cook for a few minutes, turning them once, until there is a thick sauce and the aubergines are almost falling apart. Serve warm, topped with chopped coriander.