Honey & cumin chicken and aubergine skewers with pistachio dukkah

• chicken breasts↗6

  sliced into long, thin strips

• large aubergines↗2

  cut into 3cm cubes

• cumin seed↗3 tbsp tbsp
• ground cumin↗1 tbsp tbsp
• clear honey↗4 tbsp tbsp

  plus 2 tbsp for drizzling

• olive oil↗2 tbsp tbsp
• zest and juice 1 lemon
• sesame seed↗2 tbsp tbsp
• cumin seed↗2 tsp tsp
• coriander seed↗2 tsp tsp
• shelled pistachio↗50g g
• sweet paprika↗1 tsp tsp
• crushed black pepper↗1 tsp tsp

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Pre-soak wooden skewers in warm water for 20 mins. (You will need about 32 skewers and they must be able to fit inside a griddle pan or frying pan.) Meanwhile, mix the marinade ingredients and some seasoning in a large bowl, then tip half into another bowl. Add the chicken to 1 bowl and the aubergine to the other. (If you’re not catering for vegetarians, you can mix them together in one bowl.) Leave to marinate in the fridge for at least 20 mins, or up to 24 hrs.

2. 2

   To make the dukkah, toast the sesame, cumin and coriander seeds in a dry pan until aromatic. Meanwhile, tip the pistachios into a small food processor and blitz until finely chopped, but still with some texture, then transfer to a bowl. Tip the toasted seeds and spices into the processor and blitz again until finely chopped, then add these to the pistachios, along with the paprika, black pepper and a good pinch of salt. Mix, then set aside until ready to serve.

3. 3

   Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Thread the aubergine onto skewers, about 4-5 chunks per skewer, and place on 2 parchment-lined trays. Bake for 20-25 mins until tender and golden, turning the skewers and swapping the trays halfway through cooking.

4. 4

   Meanwhile, heat a griddle pan or a frying pan (or use both to speed up the cooking) over a medium-high heat. Thread the chicken pieces onto the remaining skewers. Cook the chicken skewers in batches in the hot pan, turning regularly to prevent the honey burning. When nicely charred, but not cooked through, transfer to a baking tray. When all the chicken skewers are browned, drizzle them and the aubergine skewers with the remaining honey. Pop the chicken into the oven with the aubergine for the final 5-10 mins cooking, or until they are cooked through and sticky. Serve the skewers with a bowl of dukkah for dipping.