26 April 2024

Sticky aubergine tart

Georgina Hayden’s new cookbook, Greekish, is full of imaginative takes on Greek cuisine, like this sticky aubergine, pomegranate and herb tart. To add richness, simply crumble over a little feta.

Ingredients (serves 4)
2 large aubergines
20g flaked almonds
4 tbsp olive oil
2 cloves of garlic, finely sliced
2 green chillies, finely sliced
3 tbsp pomegranate molasses
2 tbsp red wine vinegar
2 tbsp caster sugar
500g puff pastry
½ pomegranate
½ bunch coriander
½ bunch mint

Method
1. Preheat the oven to 200C fan/gas mark 7. Peel the aubergines and slice crossways into 2.5cm discs. Toast the flaked almonds in an oven-proof frying pan for a few minutes, until golden, then remove from the pan and set aside.
2. Fry the aubergine slices in olive oil for about 3 minutes on each side until lightly browned, then remove and set aside.
3. Whisk the pomegranate molasses, red wine vinegar, caster sugar, garlic and half the chilli together. Pour into the pan, bring to the boil, then simmer down for a minute or two until reduced and sticky. Remove from the heat and add the aubergine slices.
4. Roll out the puff pastry so it is a bit larger than the pan, drape it over the top and carefully tuck down the inside of the pan. Prick the top with a fork and bake for 25 minutes, until deep golden on top and bubbling at the edges.
5. While the tart is in the oven, pick the pomegranate seeds annd roughly chop the herbs. Toss with the remaining sliced green chilli and toasted flaked almonds. When the tart is ready, let it rest for a moment then turn it out onto a board. Sprinkle over the herby pomegranate and nuts, then slice and serve.

Greekish by Georgina Hayden is available here.

You can still find great value Bordeaux these days, but you need to know where to look, says Will Lyons in The Times. Here are three of the best to try.

2020 Château Recougne Bordeaux Supérieur (14%), Majestic, £12.99
A “hugely enjoyable medium-bodied red” with inviting aromas of cedar, spice and dark fruit.

2018 Finest Château Abelyce Saint-Émilion Grand Cru (13.5%), Tesco, £18
A good, mature Bordeaux for the price, with “notes of dark, black fruit and spicy cedar flavours”.

2019 Château Montaiguillon Montagne Saint-Émilion, (14.5%) Lea & Sandeman, £21.50
Punching “way above its price tag”, this bright and sweet red has a perfect texture.

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