Aubergine Ragu Recipes

Steps:

• Heat 2 tablespoons olive oil in a 10-inch skillet over medium heat. Add onion and cook until onions start to brown, 8 to 10 minutes, stirring occasionally. Reduce heat to medium-low and continue to cook until lightly caramelized, another 10 to 15 minutes. Add garlic and cook 1 more minute.
• Use your hands to break up the tomatoes in the can, squishing them into the skillet. Pour in the tomato juices. Fill tomato can halfway with water and stir that water into the skillet. Add half the basil leaves, season with salt and black pepper to taste, and red-pepper flakes, then simmer vigorously until tomatoes break down and sauce has thickened, 15 to 20 minutes.
• Meanwhile, heat the broiler, and place the rack 4 inches from the heat source.
• Cube 1 1/2 of the eggplants into 1 1/4-inch cubes (about 7 cups). Save remaining half an eggplant for garnish. Arrange cubed eggplant in an even layer on a rimmed baking sheet. Toss eggplant thoroughly with remaining 4 tablespoons oil, then season to taste with salt.
• Broil eggplant until browned on one side, 5 to 6 minutes. Flip the pieces and broil until browned and tender, 6 to 8 minutes. (If your eggplant starts to burn, move the baking sheet to a lower rack.)
• To make the garnish of eggplant slices, slice remaining eggplant lengthwise into long, thin 1/4-inch-thick slices. Place flour on a plate, and generously coat both sides of each eggplant slice.
• In a large heavy-bottomed pot or Dutch oven, heat 1 inch of oil to 350 degrees. Fry eggplant, in batches, until golden, about 1 to 2 minutes, flipping the slices halfway through. Transfer to a separate paper towel-lined plate and sprinkle with salt.
• In a medium bowl, fold together burrata and ricotta.
• To serve, gently stir broiled eggplant into tomato sauce until evenly coated. Simmer for 1 to 2 minutes until the eggplant is warmed through. Transfer to serving bowls, and spoon burrata mixture on top. Garnish with remaining basil leaves, crisp eggplant slices and the capers if you like.

Steps:

• Prick the aubergines all over with a fork, then place directly over a gas flame (or BBQ), and char, turning, for about 5 mins or until they feel like they are collapsing inside. Remove and leave to cool.
• Once the aubergine has cooled, split them in half and carefully scoop out the juicy, soft flesh into a bowl. Peel it away from the burned skin, being careful to capture any of the juices that escape onto the board. Roughly chop the flesh and set aside.
• Heat the olive oil in a pan over a medium to high heat, add the onion, bay leaf and a pinch of salt and cook, stirring, for about 10 mins, until the onion is softening and just starting to colour. Add the garlic and chilli and cook for a couple of mins more. Mix in the tomatoes and red wine vinegar, and cook, stirring, for about 10 mins until they are collapsing. Add the aubergine, and mix well with the other ingredients, cooking for a few more mins, then add the lentils and 100ml water. Continue to cook until most of the water has reduced. Season. Serve the warm ragu on top of a generous serving of swede purée. Garnish with the walnuts and parsley.