Miso Aubergine With Cucumber Noodles Recipes

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. With a sharp knife, criss-cross the flesh of the aubergines in a diagonal pattern, then place on a baking tray. Brush the flesh with 1 tbsp vegetable oil.
• Mix the miso with 25ml water to make a thick paste. Spread the paste over the aubergines, then cover the tray with foil and roast in the centre of the oven for 30 mins.
• Remove the foil and roast the aubergines for a further 15-20 mins, depending on their size, until tender.
• Meanwhile, bring a saucepan of salted water to the boil and heat ½ tbsp vegetable oil over a medium-high heat in a frying pan. Add the couscous to the frying pan, toast for 2 mins until golden brown, then tip into the pan of boiling water and cook for 8-10 mins until tender (or following pack instructions). Drain well. Serve the aubergines with the couscous, topped with the chilli and a scattering of coriander leaves.

Steps:

• Bring a pan of water to the boil and cook the noodles following pack instructions. Meanwhile, heat the sunflower oil in a frying pan. Cook the aubergines over a medium heat for 5-8 mins until softened.
• Mix together the ginger, miso paste, sesame oil, mirin and sugar, add to the pan with the aubergines and cook for a few mins. Drain the cooked soba noodles and add to the pan, toss together, then divide between serving plates and scatter with the spring onions.

Steps:

• Heat the grill to medium. Halve the aubergine lengthways and cut a crisscross pattern into the cut side. Put cut-side down on a baking sheet and grill for 10 minutes, or until the skin starts to brown.
• Turn over and spread 1 tbsp miso paste on each cut side, put back under the grill and cook for 15 minutes, or until the aubergine is soft and cooked through, being careful not to let it burn. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and grill briefly to brown them.
• Meanwhile, soak the rice noodles following the packet instructions. Peel the cucumber, then use the peeler to cut into thin strips. Toss these with the noodles and season with salt and the vinegar.