Whatever you celebrate over the Festive Season, these gorgeous Aubergines filled with Spinach & Mushrooms https://bit.ly/2gg97Nn will sit beautifully on your feasting table. If you’re Banting, just leave out the breadcrumbs. #festive #vegetarian #delicious

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Aubergines filled with Spinach & Mushrooms

Serves 4

 

Ingredients

2 medium aubergines, halved lengthways

2tbsp olive oil

1 small onion, finely chopped

2 garlic cloves, crushed

225g fresh mushrooms, sliced

350g fresh spinach, washed

50g vegetarian Parmesan-style cheese, grated

6tbsp fromage frais

3tbsp fresh white breadcrumbs

grated zest of 1 lemon

25g pine nuts, toasted

2tbsp chopped fresh parsley

 

Method

1 Heat oven to 200°C. Bring a large pan of water to the boil, add the aubergine halves and cook for 4-5 minutes. Drain well and pat dry with kitchen paper.

2 Place the aubergines on a baking tray, brush with 1tbsp of the olive oil and cook for 20-25 minutes until tender and golden. Scoop out the flesh (leaving about 15mm of flesh attached to the skin), then roughly chop.

3 Meanwhile, heat remaining oil in a large frying pan, then cook the onion and garlic for 4-5 minutes until the onion has softened. Add the aubergine flesh to the pan and fry for a few minutes, add the mushrooms, then cook for about 5 minutes until browned and tender. Add the spinach and cook for 3-4 minutes until wilted, stirring frequently.

4 Remove the pan from the heat and stir in the cheese, fromage frais and seasoning to taste.

5 In a bowl, mix together the breadcrumbs, lemon zest, pine nuts, parsley and seasoning.

6 Spoon the spinach mixture into the aubergine halves and sprinkle the top of each with the breadcrumb mixture. Return to the oven and cook for 10-15 minutes until the topping is golden.