Aubergine Relish on Toasted Focaccia

Smoky grilled aubergine folded through tomatoes, shiitake mushrooms, and warm spices, slow-cooked to a rich relish and brightened with lemon and coriander. Served simply on toasted focaccia — perfect as a canapé or for sharing.

INGREDIENTS

     +    

2 aubergines

6 plum tomatoes, roughly chopped (skin & seeds left in)

200g shiitake mushrooms, sliced & fried

80g onion, finely diced

8 cloves garlic, grated

20g tomato purée

25ml balsamic vinegar

12g coriander, chopped

Zest of 1 lemon, finely chopped

1.5g chilli flakes

2g mixed spice

3g toasted cumin

8g Maldon salt (5g for cooking, 3g at finish)

50ml olive oil (plus extra for aubergines & bread)

Method

     +    

Rub aubergines with oil, season, and grill over barbecue until soft all over. Allow to cool, chop into 2cm cubes, and strain in a colander.

Heat 50ml olive oil in a pan. Add onions, garlic, spices, and cook until light golden.

Add fried mushrooms, chopped tomatoes, and tomato purée. Cook over medium-high heat until caramelised.

Add 5g salt, then stir in aubergine. Simmer gently for 30–40 mins, stirring occasionally, until well reduced.

Deglaze with balsamic vinegar, cook out for 5 mins more.

Remove from heat. Stir in coriander, lemon zest, and remaining salt.

Chill in the fridge before serving.

     +    
Assembly

Toast focaccia (or sourdough) until golden.

Spread generously with the aubergine relish.

Serve as a canapé or sharing board element.

Aubergine Relish on Toasted Focaccia

Smoky grilled aubergine folded through tomatoes, shiitake mushrooms, and warm spices, slow-cooked to a rich relish and brightened with lemon and coriander. Served simply on toasted focaccia — perfect as a canapé or for sharing.

INGREDIENTS

   +  &nbsp

2 aubergines

6 plum tomatoes, roughly chopped (skin & seeds left in)

200g shiitake mushrooms, sliced & fried

80g onion, finely diced

8 cloves garlic, grated

20g tomato purée

25ml balsamic vinegar

12g coriander, chopped

Zest of 1 lemon, finely chopped

1.5g chilli flakes

2g mixed spice

3g toasted cumin

8g Maldon salt (5g for cooking, 3g at finish)

50ml olive oil (plus extra for aubergines & bread)

Method

   +   

Rub aubergines with oil, season, and grill over barbecue until soft all over. Allow to cool, chop into 2cm cubes, and strain in a colander.

Heat 50ml olive oil in a pan. Add onions, garlic, spices, and cook until light golden.

Add fried mushrooms, chopped tomatoes, and tomato purée. Cook over medium-high heat until caramelised.

Add 5g salt, then stir in aubergine. Simmer gently for 30–40 mins, stirring occasionally, until well reduced.

Deglaze with balsamic vinegar, cook out for 5 mins more.

Remove from heat. Stir in coriander, lemon zest, and remaining salt.

Chill in the fridge before serving.

   +   
Assembly

Toast focaccia (or sourdough) until golden.

Spread generously with the aubergine relish.

Serve as a canapé or sharing board element.

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