Peel and finely slice the onions. Scrub the carrots and chop into small pieces. Trim the aubergines and dice them. Halve the red pepper and scrape out the seeds and membrane. Finely chop the pepper. Trim any tough stalks away from the kale and roughly shred the leaves.

Peel the garlic cloves and finely chop or grate them. Finely grate the zest off the orange. Halve the chilli (if using) and flick out the seeds and membrane for less heat. Finely chop the chilli.

Pour 1 tbsp oil into a large pan and bring to a medium heat. Slide in the onions and season with a little salt and pepper. Cook for 10 mins, stirring now and then, till golden and soft.

Stir the chopped carrot, chilli, aubergines, pepper, garlic and orange zest into the onions. Add 2 tsp each turmeric and mixed spice and 1 tbsp garam masala. Cook for a further 7-8 mins, stirring every so often, till the veg have slightly softened. If the pan starts to look a little dry, add 2 tbsp cold water.

Crumble the vegetable stock cube into a jug and whisk in 1 ltr boiling water, till dissolved.

Stir the kale and rice into the veg and pour over the hot stock. Bring back to the boil, then cover the pan and reduce to a simmer. Cook for 10 mins, then remove from the heat and allow to steam for a further 8 mins.

Halve the pomegranate. Place 1 half, cut-side down, in the palm of your hand. Hold over a bowl and whack the back of the pomegranate with a wooden spoon so the seeds tumble into the bowl. Repeat with the other half. Pull any stubborn seeds out of the skins with your fingers, discarding the white pith.

Stir the rice and veg. Scatter in the pomegranate seeds and squeeze in the juice from the orange. Taste the pilaf and add more salt or pepper if needed, then heap into warm bowls and serve.