Pic of Zaalouk

Zaalouk

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Salad dressings & dips

Zaalouk

Side Serves 4 55 min
This Morrocan aubergine and tomato dish is good as a starter, a dip with pitta or flatbread, or spread in a sandwich. To peel the tomatoes, cut a small cross in one end, lower into a bowl of boiling water for a minute, remove, plunge into cold water, then peel off the skins. If you don't have any harissa, use a teaspoon each of paprika, ground cumin and coriander with a crumbled dried red chilli instead.

Ingredients

  • 1 very large aubergine, or 2 smaller aubergines (500-600g)
  • 2 tbsp olive oil, plus a little extra
  • 2 large or 3 smaller garlic cloves, crushed or finely chopped
  • 5 tomatoes, peeled, deseeded and finely chopped
  • 1 tsp caster sugar
  • 1-2 tsp harissa (add to taste)
  • handful fresh parsley, chopped
  • handful fresh coriander, chopped
  • juice of 1 lemon
  • salt and pepper

Method

Prep time: 10 min
Cooking time: 45 min

  • Step 1

    Preheat oven to 200°C/Gas 6.

  • Step 2

    Cut the aubergine in half lengthways and cut criss-cross slashes into the flesh. Drizzle over a little olive oil and roast in the oven until tender (about 30-40 minutes).

  • Step 3

    Meanwhile, heat the oil in a frying pan. Add the garlic and cook for 1 minute (don't let it burn).

  • Step 4

    Add the tomatoes, sugar, harissa and ¾ of the herbs. Cook on a low heat for 15 minutes, until the mixture is a thick sauce.

  • Step 5

    Scoop out the aubergine flesh and lightly mash it with a fork. Stir in the lemon juice and aubergine and season.

  • Step 6

    Simmer for 5 minutes, then leave to cool and serve at room temperature, scattered with the rest of the herbs.