This delicious aubergine and pomegranate salad is both crunchy and fresh, creamy and sweet – not to mention the perfect addition to any festive season feast! It will fill up your guests without being too heavy, and you can rely on its ability to wow every time.
Serves 2 | Under 1 hour
Ingredients
- a pinch of saffron thread
- 2 large aubergines, cut into slices 2.5 cm thick
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tsp ras el hanout
- 1 garlic clove, crushed
- Seeds from 1 pomegranate
- A small bunch pf flat leaf parsley, leaves roughly chopped
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 20g toasted pistacio nuts, roughly chopped
- 2 tbsp tahini
- 4 tbsp plain soya yoghurt
- 1 tsp maple syrup
- 2 tbsp pomegranate molasses
Method
1. Preheat the oven to 200º C (180º C, gas 6). Put the saffron in a small bowl and add 2 tsp hot water. Leave to one side.
2. Using a sharp knife, lightly score a cross-hatch over one side of each aubergine slice to allow the marinade to permeate. In a small bowl, mix the oil the the ras el hanout and garlic. Brush this mixture on both sides of the aubergine slices, then season generously with salt and pepper. Put on a baking tray and cool in the oven for 35-40 minutes until the aubergines are golden brown and have started to collapse a little.
3. In a small bowl, mix the pomegranate seeds with the parsley, half the lemon juice and the pistacio nuts.
4. Put the tahini into the bowl with the saffron water and add the yoghurt, the remaining lemon juice and the maple syrup. Stir to combine well.
5. Stack the aubergine rounds up on a plate, sprinkle over the pomegranate and pistacio mixture, and drizzle with the saffron yoghurt. Top with a drizzle of pomegranate molasses to serve.
This Recipe
Lucy Watson, from whose cookbook we extracted this recipe, is queen of vegan cooking and delish, wholesome meals. Click here for her chocolate fondant volcano pudding – also vegan, also mouthwateringly good.
Want To Know More?
Click on the link to find out why a diet rich in fruits and vegetables contributes to a long life, and how a plant-based diet can improve your overall lifestyle.
