Recipe & photo opportunity

What’s in your lunchbox?

A garlicky aubergine Garlicky aubergine salad from Yasmin Khan’s latest book demonstrates that

salad serves 4 as part of a mezze the best recipes are sometimes the simplest. The flavours improve

over time, so it’s a good mezze to make ahead.

Ingredients

3 large aubergines (total weight about 1kg) 245g full-fat Greek-style yogurt 1 fat garlic clove, minced 1 tbsp chopped parsley leaves, plus more to serve 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil, plus more to serve Salt and black pepper

Method

1. Preheat the oven to 220°C/fan 200°C/gas mark 7. Pierce each aubergine with a fork all over, then place on a baking tray and roast for one hour, or until completely soft. You want the aubergines to completely collapse in on themselves and for the skins to be charred.

2. Remove the aubergines from the oven, slice them in half and leave to cool. When completely cold, scoop out the aubergine flesh with a spoon.

3. Discard the aubergine skins and roughly chop any big pieces of aubergine pulp. Place this in a serving bowl and add the yogurt, garlic, parsley, 3/4 teaspoon salt, 1/2 teaspoon black pepper and the extra virgin olive oil. Stir well with a fork to get everything evenly combined and then taste to adjust the seasoning (I often add a bit more salt at this stage, as I think the aubergines benefit from it).

4. Cover with a plate or cling film and pop it in the refrigerator, leaving it to sit for at least one hour before serving. Finish with a drizzle of olive oil and a smattering of chopped parsley. Scoop up the sweet aubergine with warm flatbreads, or serve it alongside grilled meats, roasted vegetables or simmered beans.

THIS fantastic photo was taken by Heidi Shaw, a teacher from Southampton.

Heidi says: “A few years ago my husband and I took our three children to Rwanda. While in Kigali we saw this wonderful truck loaded with mattresses. Rwanda is known for producing rather good mattresses, which it exports to countries such as the Democratic Republic of the Congo. I can vouch that they are really comfortable. WIN! Send us your

“The photo features the classic Toyota photo to win a truck – such a workhorse in countries round the world. “Education is so valued in this tiny country, £20 book token and lockdown has been really difficult, especially for people in the poorest communities. We stand in solidarity with them in this global crisis.”

If you are a keen photographer, why not send your pictures to us at educate@neu.org.uk

They should be large and high resolution, accompanied by 50 words telling readers about the subject. We send a £20 book token to each featured so don’t forget to pop your address in the email.

Win a copy of Yasmin Khan’s Ripe Figs: Recipes and Stories from the Eastern Mediterranean

We have three signed copies of Yasmin Khan’s book to give away – email your recipe to educate@neu.org.uk with your name, address and membership number, putting ‘Ripe Figs ’ in the strapline. Don’t forget to attach a picture. n See reviews, page 38