31/03/2015
Aubergine & Beef Shakshuka
Middle eastern dish of eggs.
This works well as lunch the next day too:
Ingredients: 1 aubergine cut into 3 cm chunks
2 tbsp coconut oil, 1 x 250g lean beef mince, 1 red onion finely sliced & chopped. 2 garlic gloves finely chopped, 1tsp ground cinnamon, 1 tsp ground cumin, Β½ tsp smoked paprika, Β½ tsp crushed chillies, 2 x400g tins chopped tomatoes, 3 medium free range eggs.
Dressing to serve: 1 tbsp tahini paste, 1 tbsp Greek yoghurt, a squeeze fo lemon juice, 1 preserved lemon, finely chopped, 50g feta cheese crumbled. Handful of parsley
Method: pre-heat the oven to 2000c, fan 180c, gas mark 6. Put the aubergine chicnks into a roasting tin, drizzle with 1 tablespoon of oil and season. Roast in the oven for 30 minutes until tender and cooked through.
2. Meanwhile, heat a large nonstick pan add the mince and cook over a high heat, stirring for 3-4 mins until browned, place in a sieve & drain the fat. Then add the remaining oil to the pan & fry the onion, cook gently for 6 min's, add in the garlic, spices, & chillies. Cook for 2 more minutes then add the cooked mince, add the tomatoes & 200ml hot water. Stir well and bring to the boil.
3. Simmer, uncovered for 20 minutes. Stir occasionally, then add the roasted aubergine & season well.
4. Using the back of a large spoon, crack an egg into the mince. Cover with a lid and cook gently for 6 minutes, then turn off the heat and leave covered for a further 2 minutes until the whites are set, but the yolks are still runny. Alternatively, transfer the mixture to a preheated ovenproof dish, add the eggs and bake at 200oc, gas mark 6 for 5-8 minutes or until they are cooked to your liking.
5. Mix together the tahini, yoghurt & lemon juice to taste; season. Add the teaspoon of cold to make it drizzleable
6. Sprinkle the Shakshuka with the preserved lemon, feta & parsley. Spoon on the tahini dressing; finish with a pinch of paprika.
Serve with a green crisp salad.