Smokey Baked Eggplant Fable x Mingle

Step 1

PRE-HEAT oven to 200 degrees Celsius.

Step 2

HALVE eggplants lengthwise, keeping stems on. Score the eggplants in a criss-cross pattern, cutting to a depth of more than just half way. Place the eggplant halves directly onto the naked flame on your gas stove for a few minutes each side to char. Set eggplants aside.

Step 3

HEAT olive oil in a medium size saucepan big enough to fit the eggplant pieces. Add onion and garlic, sauté for a few minutes until fragrant.

Step 4

ADD fresh tomatoes, tomato paste and Mingle All Purpose Seasoning Blend, cayenne pepper and sauté until tomatoes begin disintegrate and a thicker sauce starts to form.

Step 5

ADD diced preserved lemon, water, parsley and salt and bring to boil. Add eggplant pieces ensuring the pieces submerged in the liquid. Boil with the lid on for 10 minutes. You may need to turn your eggplant pieces in the liquid occasionally to ensure they are evenly cooked.

Step 6

REMOVE eggplants from liquid and place in a baking tray. Turn heat down to medium and allow tomato sauce to continue simmering until reduced to half volume, about 15 minutes. Coat the eggplant in some olive oil and bake for 15-20 minutes. Eggplants should be soft and cooked through. Continue baking if still firm.

Step 7

MEANWHILE fry off minced Fable pieces in some olive oil, until pieces have browned and caramelised.

Step 8

WHEN tomato liquid is reduced, add fried Fable pieces and cook for a few more minutes. Adjust seasoning as required.

Step 9

REMOVE the tray of eggplants from the oven and top generously with Fable tomato mixture. Return the tray to the oven and finish off under the grill for 5-10 minutes.

Step 10

PREPARE tahini sauce by whisking all ingredients together. Add more water and season with salt to taste and desired consistency.

Step 11

WHEN eggplant is finished, serve directly from the tray or on plates with generous lashings of tahini sauce.