Melanzane alla Milanese

April 1, 2021.Reading time 9 minutes.

Aubergines are one of my favourite vegetables. Although actually, they’re a fruit and even a berry by botanical definition. I like them as Melanzane alla Parmigiana; make a Norma sauce nearly every week; love them in tagines or curries; in ratatouille – either traditionally cooked on top of the stove or roasted in the oven; […]

Penne with Aubergine & Salted Ricotta

August 22, 2018.Reading time 12 minutes.

I couldn’t resist taking a trip back to Prezzemolo & Vitale yesterday – this time with plenty of time to spare, my car and a large bag! Chelsea is not that far away – only about 10 miles – but I know from experience, as I used to work nearby, that the traffic can be […]

Aubergine Salad with Chilli, Capers, Mint & Parsley

July 29, 2018.Reading time 7 minutes.

I bought Gino D’Acampo’s Hidden Italy on the spur of the moment; it was on offer in WH Smith for a bargain £7. I’ve got a few of Gino’s books now. Like a true and good Italian, he keeps things simple, reasonably authentic – and his recipes work! Which isn’t something that can be said […]

Freekeh Salad with Aubergine, Feta & Pomegranate

April 23, 2018.Reading time 7 minutes.

With Nicola & Rachael down from Worcestershire for the weekend to celebrate my birthday, we had a busy day planned for Saturday – which included High Tea at the famous Maids of Honour tea rooms in Kew. With uncertain timings and knowing we’d have more ‘tea’ than I usually do – in fact I don’t […]

Ottolenghi’s Roasted Aubergine with Saffron Yoghurt

August 23, 2017.Reading time 7 minutes.

I used to cook lots of Ottolenghi’s recipes after I bought his Jerusalem book (published 2012) but then turned my attention – as often happens – to new books I bought. However, I so much loved my visit to the Ottolenghi restaurant in Islington last Saturday that I vowed as I ate the delicious food […]

Spicy Kofte with Aubergine Tagine

November 5, 2016.Reading time 5 minutes.

I’ve been wanting to make the lovely Aubergine & Tomato Tagine I put on the blog back in January 2012 for Jonathan & Lyndsey. It’s such a delicious recipe, and we all love aubergines, so I knew they’d like it. It makes a good mid-week vegetarian supper served with just couscous but as it was […]

Polenta with Aubergine, Tomato & Pine Nut Sauce

April 1, 2015.Reading time 9 minutes.

Writing about the maize for polenta growing in the fertile plains of the Po Valley in Northern Italy in my last post set up a longing for some polenta. Polenta is a relatively new love of mine. My first experiences of it were of glutinous and tasteless lumps that didn’t inspire me to cook it myself. […]

Pasta alla Norma – Pasta with Aubergine, Tomato & Basil

February 3, 2014.Reading time 8 minutes.

Well, after that culinary excursion across the Atlantic at the weekend with my chowder recipe, it didn’t take long for The Single Gourmet Traveller to be hankering after some Italian again. In fact, I went so far as to book myself a little holiday – 3 nights – in Bologna at the end of April, […]

Imam Bayildi – Turkish Stuffed Aubergines

October 18, 2013.Reading time 7 minutes.

It’s three weeks since I was in wonderful Istanbul, walking through markets full of gorgeous ripe and perfect fruits and vegetables; spices piled high, their aroma hanging in the air, singing of the exotic; fresh pomegranate juice squeezed to order and sold on stalls on the edge of roads. Fisherman hanging over the edge of […]

Griddled Aubergine Salad with Buffalo Cheese, Pine Nuts & Pomegranate

July 20, 2013.Reading time 8 minutes.

It’s so hot that even the Single Gourmet Traveller didn’t want to eat as much as usual. But she did want to eat, of course. My family know it’s time to worry if I ever don’t want to eat. I had to do some work today so planned to take a portion of bolognese ragu […]