Roast puttanesca aubergines with tomato rice & feta

• olive oil↗3 tbsp

  (or use the oil from the sundried tomato jar, below)

• banana shallots↗3 medium

  or 1 small red onion, finely chopped

• brown rice↗300g easy-cook long-grain g

  easy-cook long-grain

• tomato purée↗1 tbsp
• garlic cloves↗2

  finely chopped

• sundried tomatoes↗5

  in oil, drained and finely sliced

• chopped tomatoes400g can

  400g can

• vegetable stock cube↗1

  or 2 tsp vegetable bouillon powder

• aubergines↗3 large

  halved lengthways

• oregano↗1 tbsp finely chopped

  finely chopped or use 1⁄2 tsp dried oregano

• capers↗3 tbsp

  drained and rinsed

• black olives↗100g

  pitted and chopped

• pine nuts↗60g

  toasted

• basil↗30g

  chopped, plus a few extra leaves to garnish

• feta↗200g

  crumbled

• cherry tomatoes↗250g

  quartered

• balsamic vinegar↗2 tbsp
• extra virgin olive oil↗

  for drizzling (optional)

• green leafy salad

  to serve (optional)

Step-by-step instructions

1. 1

   Heat the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Heat 1 tbsp of the oil in a saucepan over a medium heat and cook the shallots with a pinch of salt for about 8 mins, stirring until softened. Add the rice and tomato purée, stirring to coat the rice in the oil for about 1 min. Tip the mixture into a medium baking dish, about 20 x 30cm, then add the garlic and sundried tomatoes.

2. 2

   Tip the chopped tomatoes and 500ml water into the pan, using some of the water to swill out the tomato can. Add the stock cube and return the pan to the heat, stirring to help dissolve the stock. Bring to the boil and carefully pour over the rice mixture in the baking dish. Cover tightly and bake for 1 hr 30 mins until all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is golden at the edges.

3. 3

   Meanwhile, score the cut sides of the aubergine halves in a diamond pattern, being careful not to cut through the skin. Scatter the oregano over the aubergine flesh and season. Lightly brush or rub with the remaining oil, pushing the seasoning into the cuts. Put the aubergines in a large baking dish or roasting tin, flesh-side up. When the rice has been in the oven for 15 mins, put the aubergines on a lower shelf to bake for 45 mins, covered, then a further 30-35 mins, uncovered, until golden and soft. Remove both dishes from the oven, cover and set aside.

4. 4

   Combine the capers, olives, pine nuts and basil in a bowl. Stir half through the baked rice using a fork to fluff the rice up slightly. Add the feta and cherry tomatoes to the remaining mixture and season with black pepper. Spoon the rice onto a large serving platter and top with the aubergine halves. Spoon the feta mixture over the aubergines, drizzle with the balsamic vinegar and garnish with the extra basil leaves. Drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil, if you like, and serve with a green leafy salad.