The Reunion Gang


"When the going gets weird, the weird turn pro." Hunter S. Thompson

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Serves four

Ingredients

For the aubergine

  • 2 large aubergines, sliced into thin slices about a 5mm/¼in thick

  • 2 tbsp olive oil

  • 100g/3½oz ricotta

  • 100g/3½oz Parmesan, grated (or alternative vegetarian hard cheese)

  • 100g/3½oz mozzarella, sliced

  • sea salt and freshly ground black pepper

For the tomato sauce

  • 2 garlic cloves, finely chopped

  • 1 red onion, finely chopped

  • a good splash olive oil

  • 2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes

  • 2 tsp dried oregano

  • 125ml/4fl oz red wine

Method

  1. Brush the aubergine slices with olive oil on both sides to coat. Heat a griddle pan and cook the aubergines for a couple of minutes on both sides until lightly browned. Set aside while you get on with the tomato sauce.

  2. Heat a large frying pan. Fry the garlic and onion with a little oil until soft.

  3. Add the chopped tomatoes, oregano and wine. Simmer for about 15 minutes, or until the sauce thickens.

  4. Preheat the oven to 220C/200C Fan/Gas 7.

  5. In a medium-sized roasting tin, spread a little tomato sauce over the bottom of the tin. Add a layer of aubergine slices and spread another layer of tomato sauce on top.

  6. Spread half the ricotta on the top and sprinkle with Parmesan, salt and pepper. Continue to repeat the layers until all the aubergine is used. Finish with a layer of mozzarella slices topped with a final sprinkle of Parmesan. Bake for 25 minutes.

  7. Serve the parmigiana hot with a green salad alongside. This dish reheats well if you have any leftovers.

Notes

For Gang consumption, I used three aubergines, 250g ricotta and 250g mozzarella.

(c) The Reunion Gang. All rights reserved. May contain traces of nuts.