Spicy Aubergine & Lardon Hotpot

Prep: 15 mins

Cook: 30 mins

Did you know the word anise (as in the star) comes from “entice”? That rhymes with spice – which this is full of – and rice. But not aubergine. It’s an enticing hotpot, though, even if it doesn’t all rhyme.

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828 kcal
(per portion)

Ingredients you'll need

1 onion
1 red pepper
2 aubergines
1 chilli
A thumb of ginger
1 garlic clove
1 tsp china 5 spice
200g unsmoked lardons
200g white basmati rice
1 star anise
A handful of coriander

From your kitchen

½ tbsp olive oil
Sea salt
Freshly ground pepper
300ml + 350ml boiling water

Step by step this way

1.
Peel and chop the onion. Halve the pepper. Scoop out the seeds and white bits, then chop. Trim the aubergines. Chop into chunks. Slice the chilli, flicking out the seeds for less heat. Peel and finely chop the ginger.
2.
Heat ½ tbsp oil in a deep frying pan or wok. Add the lardons. Stir fry for 5 mins till golden. Lift out of the pan with a slotted spoon. Pop on a plate lined with kitchen paper.
3.
Add another splash of oil to the frying pan if you think it needs it. Add the onion. Stir fry for 5 mins till soft and glossy. Season with salt and pepper. Add the aubergines to the onions. Stir fry for 5 mins till golden.
4.
Add the chilli, ginger and China 5 spice to the frying pan. Pour in 300ml boiling water. Pop the lardons back in the pan. Cover. Bring to the boil. Turn the heat right down. Simmer for 15 mins till thick. Stir now and then while it cooks.
5.
Meanwhile, tip the rice into a small pan. Add 350ml boiling water. Drop in the star anise. Cover. Bring to the boil. Turn the heat down. Simmer for about 8 mins till all the water is absorbed.
6.
Take the rice off the heat. Set aside, lid on, for 2-4 mins to finish cooking the rice.
7.
Taste the hotpot. Season with a little salt and pepper if you think it needs it. Serve with the rice and coriander leaves.

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