- 2 aubergines
- 2 garlic cloves
- 400g tin of chickpeas
- 225g halloumi
- 2 tsp fennel seeds
- 330ml cherry tomato passata
- 25g pine nuts
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- Sea salt
- Freshly ground pepper
- Deep frying pan or wok
- Shallow baking dish (optional)
- 1.
Trim the stems from the aubergines and chop the aubergines into 2cm-thick cubes. Warm a deep frying pan or wok on a high heat for 1 min, then pour in 2 tbsp olive oil. Add the diced aubergines with a pinch of salt and fry for 7-8 mins, stirring often, till they are soft and golden brown.
- 2.
While the aubergines fry, preheat your grill to a medium-high setting. Peel and finely grate or crush the garlic cloves. Drain and rinse the chickpeas. Coarsely grate the halloumi.
- 3.
When the aubergine has browned, add the garlic and 2 tsp fennel seeds. Fry, gently stirring, for 2 mins. Pour in the cherry tomato passata and add the chickpeas. Bring up to a bubble, and simmer for 5 mins then take off the heat. Taste and add more salt, or some pepper if you think it needs it.
- 4.
If your frying pan is ovenproof, leave the aubergine mixture in the pan. Otherwise transfer it to a shallow baking dish. Top with the grated halloumi.
- 5.
Slide the pan or dish under the grill for 4-5 mins till the halloumi has started to melt and brown. Scatter over the pine nuts and slide back under the grill for 1-2 mins till the aubergine and pine nuts are golden. Cool for a few mins, then serve on a couple of warm plates.