Baked stuffed aubergine/eggplant with walnut and Roquefort

Sharing a James Martin vegetarian recipe ... blue cheese and walnuts add a festive note to this delicious veggie stuffed aubergine/eggplant. The dish can be mostly made it in advance - just add the topping and reheat before serving.

Ingredients

Serves Eight

4 large aubergines/eggplants
2 garlic cloves, chopped
1 small white onion, diced
6 tomatoes, diced
1 small sprig of fresh rosemary
1 small sprig of fresh thyme
virgin olive oil
salt and freshly ground black pepper
60g/2½oz walnuts
50g/2oz toasted fresh breadcrumbs
200g/8oz Roquefort (or similar blue raw milk sheep’s cheese)

For the tomato sauce (optional)

4 tbsp olive oil
1 medium onion, very finely sliced
1 garlic clove, coarsely chopped
1 x 400g tin good-quality tomatoes
10 small fresh basil leaves, shredded
fresh chopped oregano

Method
1. Preheat the oven to 200C/440F/Gas 6.
2. Cut the aubergines/eggplants in half, leaving the tops on and score the surface of the flesh with a knife.
3. Place on a baking tray cut-side up, drizzle with olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Bake for about 30 minutes or until soft.
4. While the aubergines are cooking, gently fry the onions and garlic in oil for a few minutes. Add the tomatoes and herbs and cook to soften.
5. Remove the flesh from the roasted aubergines, reserving the skins to be stuffed later. Chop the aubergine flesh into small cubes.
6. Add the aubergine flesh and the lightly chopped walnuts to the tomato mixture and season generously with salt and pepper. Place the mixture in the aubergine skins (if making in advance, you can refrigerate the aubergines at this stage).
7. Crumble over the cheese and top with breadcrumbs. Return to the oven or place under a hot grill until the cheese is melted, the breadcrumbs crisp and the flesh warmed through.
8. For the tomato sauce, heat the oil in a pan and fry the onion for five minutes. Add the garlic and fry for a further minute. Add the tomatoes and bring to the boil, add the chopped oregano reduce the heat and simmer for 30-40 minutes. Halfway through, add the shredded basil leaves.
9. When it has finished cooking, add salt to taste, and blend to a smooth purée using a hand-held blender or food processor. The sauce keeps for a few days in the fridge, but is best if eaten when freshly made.
10. Serve the hot aubergines with the hot tomato sauce on the side.

Tip
The blue cheese isn't overpowering, so people who are less keen on strong cheeses will still enjoy this dish.

From an original idea here

Read

About the health benefits of aubergines/eggplants here

You will find a variety of recipe ideas within this blog. It is important to note, not all may be suitable for you. If you may have any food allergies, or underlying health issues these must always be taken into account. If you are a diabetic and not sure how certain foods may affect your blood sugars, test is best, i.e. use your meter. If you have any concerns about your health it is always advisable to consult your Doctor or health care team.

All the best Jan