Name: Tamarind aubergine with black rice, mint & feta
Prep time: 25 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Asian
Ingredients: 2 large aubergines; 4 tsp tamarind paste; 2 tsp sesame oil; 1 red chilli deseeded and thinly sliced; 1 tbsp sesame seeds; 200g black rice; 6 spring onions finely sliced; 100g feta crumbled; 2 small packs mint roughly chopped; small pack coriander roughly chopped, reserving a few leaves, to serve; zest 1 large lime; 2 tbsp dark soy sauce; juice 1 lime; 5cm/2in piece ginger peeled and finely grated (juices and all); pinch of sugar

Tamarind aubergine with black rice, mint & feta

2 large aubergines
4 tsp tamarind paste
2 tsp sesame oil
1 red chilli
deseeded and thinly sliced
1 tbsp sesame seeds
200g black rice
6 spring onions
finely sliced
100g feta
crumbled
2 small packs mint
roughly chopped
small pack coriander
roughly chopped, reserving a few leaves, to serve
zest 1 large lime

For the dressing

2 tbsp dark soy sauce
juice 1 lime
5cm/2in piece ginger
peeled and finely grated (juices and all)
pinch of sugar

Method

step 1
Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Cut the aubergines in half lengthways and, with the tip of a knife, score the flesh deeply in a criss-cross diamond pattern – but don’t pierce the skin. Press on the edges of the halves to open the cuts. In a small bowl, combine the tamarind paste and sesame oil. Brush the mixture over the aubergine, pushing it into the cuts. Place on a baking tray, sprinkle over the chilli and sesame seeds, then roast, cut-side up, for 25-35 mins or until the flesh is really soft.
step 2
Put the rice in a small sieve and wash under running water for 1 min until the water runs clear. Tip the rice into a small saucepan and add 650ml cold water. Bring to the boil, reduce the heat and simmer for about 35 mins until the rice is tender. Drain under cold running water.
step 3
Make the dressing by whisking all the ingredients together with a pinch of salt. Adjust the seasoning to taste, adding a little more sugar, salt or lime juice, if you like.
step 4
In a big bowl, mix together the black rice, spring onions, feta, mint, chopped coriander, and the lime zest and dressing. Sprinkle the reserved coriander leaves over the aubergine halves and serve with the rice.