An easy sharing supper that looks considerably more impressive than the effort involved.
There are some recipes that make you feel as though you’ve made proper food without actually requiring very much from you. This is one of them.
I’ve been using my Stellar griddle pan for these chargrilled aubergines and it turns something incredibly simple into a rather gorgeous plate of food. The aubergine becomes soft and golden, with those lovely charred lines, while the sumac adds a fresh, slightly lemony kick.
Add whipped feta, pomegranate, mint and a drizzle of chilli oil and suddenly an aubergine feels rather exciting.
Even better? The whipped feta is ridiculously easy and I buy the pomegranate seeds ready-prepared in a pack. We are very much in favour of shortcuts at G&J.
Chargrilled Aubergine with Whipped Feta
Serves: 4 as a starter or part of a sharing supper
Prep: 10 minutes
Cooking: Around 15 minutes
You’ll need
- Aubergines, quartered lengthways
- Olive oil
- Sumac
- Sea salt
- Fresh mint
- Pomegranate seeds
- Whipped feta
- Chilli oil
- Warm flatbreads, to serve
How to make it
Heat your griddle pan until nice and hot.
Brush the aubergine quarters generously with olive oil, then season with sea salt and sumac.
Place them onto the hot griddle and cook for a few minutes on each side until they’re beautifully charred on the outside and soft in the middle.
Spoon the whipped feta onto a serving plate, arrange the aubergines on top and scatter generously with fresh mint and pomegranate seeds.
Finish with a little chilli oil and serve with warm flatbreads for scooping up all that feta.
Make it a sharing supper
This is lovely as a starter, but I think it’s even better put in the middle of the table with warm breads and a few other dishes for everyone to help themselves.
It’s colourful, relaxed and looks like you’ve made considerably more effort than you actually have, our favourite kind of entertaining.
And I have to give some credit to the Stellar griddle pan. I love a pan that can take an everyday ingredient and make it feel like a bit of a treat. Those charred lines aren’t strictly necessary, of course, but they do make everything look rather good.
The original recipe and full quantities are available on Stellar’s website.
G&J tip: Buy the pomegranate seeds already prepared. Life is short and nobody needs to be standing in the kitchen whacking a pomegranate with a wooden spoon on a Tuesday night.
