bohemianwanderer – To make this delicious sweet-and-sour aubergine dish, start with 2 large or 4 slender aubergines. First, remove the stalks and cut the aubergines into long pieces—quarters or eighths depending on their size. Rub the pieces thoroughly with olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Using your hands is the best way to evenly coat the aubergines.
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Next, arrange the aubergine pieces on a baking tray in a single layer. Roast them in a preheated oven at 190°C (170°C fan)/375°F/gas mark 5. Bake for about 25 minutes, turning the pieces two or three times during cooking. You want the aubergines to become golden, soft, and slightly wrinkled. This roasting process caramelizes the aubergines, enhancing their natural sweetness and softening their texture for a melt-in-the-mouth experience.
While the aubergines roast, prepare the sauce that will give the dish its characteristic sweet-and-sour flavor. Warm 2 tablespoons of red wine vinegar and 2 tablespoons of honey or sugar in a frying pan. Taste and adjust the balance to ensure it is both sweet and sour to your liking. This balance is key to complementing the aubergines’ richness.
Creating the Sweet-and-Sour Sauce and Serving the Dish
Once the vinegar and honey mixture tastes just right, add six tablespoons of olive oil to the pan and mix well. Taste again to balance the flavors. Then, add the roasted aubergines to the pan in batches, gently turning them so they absorb the sauce and become glossy. After coating the aubergines, transfer them to a serving plate, leaving most of the sauce behind in the pan.
To finish the sauce, add 2 tablespoons of small capers, 1 teaspoon of pine nuts or chopped almonds, and a handful of fresh mint leaves. Tear the mint leaves if they are large, or leave them whole if small. Heat this mixture for about a minute to infuse the flavors and warm the nuts and capers.
Pour the caper, nut, and mint sauce over the aubergines. Let the dish sit for at least 30 minutes, turning the aubergines occasionally. This resting time allows the flavors to meld and the aubergines to soak up the sauce fully. Serve the dish as a flavorful side or a light main, perfect for warm weather or as part of a mezze spread.
This recipe highlights the balance of textures and flavors, combining soft roasted aubergines with a tangy, sweet sauce and crunchy nuts. It is simple, fresh, and perfect for showcasing aubergines in an exciting way.
