Sticky Miso Aubergines

On the fence about aubergines?

This recipe is bound to convert you into an aubergine-lover. Since going vegan, I have tried far more recipes with aubergines, as they have a slightly meatier texture than courgettes for instance. What I’ve realised is that the way that you cook them makes all the difference.

Finding the right recipe for your aubergine is the best to start. They absorb and accentuate flavour really well, especially when baked. If overcooked or undercooked, they can taste bitter.

Baking them in the oven is often a fool-proof way to bring out the best in your aubergines.

This recipe is perfect for when you’re craving a nourishing, yet naughty dinner. The sweet taste of the maple syrup with fermented miso and salty soy sauce makes an incredible marinade for your aubergine. When baked, they get quite sticky, acting as a sauce.

I recommend adding your baked aubergines to a veggie stir-fry, with either rice or noodles.

So, let’s get stuck in.

What you’ll need:

• Baking tray
• Mixing bowl
• 1 tbsp sesame oil
• 3 tbsp soy sauce
• 1 tbsp miso paste (white or brown will work)
• 1-2 tbsp maple syrup (depending on how sweet you prefer it)
• spring onion
• 1 thumb-sized piece of fresh ginger
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1-2 aubergines
• Either half fresh chilli cut up finely or 1 tsp chilli flakes

How to make it:

1. Preheat oven to 200* or 180* with a fan oven
2. Slice your aubergine into 2 inch thick slices long ways, then slice them in half to make batons. Making them too thin or or thick will affect how they cook – you may need slightly less time for thinner slices or more time for thicker slices
3. For the marinade: add miso paste, sesame oil, maple syrup, ginger, garlic, soy sauce and chilli to a mixing bowl and whisk until mixed together
4. Now, put your aubergine slices into the bowl and coat in the marinade, tossing around until saturated
5. Drizzle sesame oil on the baking tray and lay out the Aubergine then pop in the oven
6. Bake for about 25 minutes, checking to see whether they look like they have absorbed the marinade
7. If they feel firm, they are not cooked yet, so bake them for a few more minutes until they feel more soft
8. Serve with a noodle or rice veggie stir-fry and garnish with spring onion and chilli

Enjoy!