Make this harissa roasted aubergine tonight!

The perfect light, cosy autumn supper, this dish is quick but packs a big flavour punch. Warm harissa, roasted aubergine, a sweet pop of apricot and the crunch of toasted seeds — finished with a generous drizzle of Fino Chilli Oil, one of The Times’ Top 50 Tastiest Foods (judged by experts, though they could have just asked us…).

Ingredients (serves 2)

Fino Olive Oil 100g quinoa1 aubergine 8 dried apricots (chopped) 3tsp harissa paste 2 lemons 3tbsp coconut yoghurt 1 red onion (sliced) 30g parsley 50g pumpkin seeds1tbsp tahini 1 can chickpeas Fino Chilli Oil

Method

Preheat the oven to 180°c.

Cut the aubergine in half – score the flesh top to bottom and sprinkle with salt. Leave to one side for about half an hour, then pat the flesh using kitchen roll to remove excess water.

Drizzle with 1tbsp of olive oil and roast in preheated oven for 25 minutes. At the halfway point, paint the aubergine halves with 1 tsp of the harissa paste.

Cook the quinoa by bringing to the boil and then simmering for about 25 mins.

Chop the apricots into quarters and soak in boiling water for 10 minutes.

Meanwhile, pour 1 tbsp of olive oil into a frying pan and sauté the sliced red onions over a medium heat. Once soft, remove from the heat. Place in a large bowl and add in the drained apricots and the remaining 2 tsp of harissa paste, plus the zest and juice from one lemon. Season with salt and pepper.

Once the quinoa is cooked, drain any excess water and add the chickpeas and the apricot and onion mixture. Give it a good mix.

Finally combine the yogurt, tahini, and juice of the second lemon in a bowl.

Lightly toast pumpkin seeds in a pan until they start to pop.

Serve the aubergine alongside the quinoa mix, and with a good dollop of the yogurt sauce. Garnish with fresh parsley and sprinkle with toasted pumpkin seeds, and — if you want to add an extra kick — drizzle with a generous amount of delicious Fino Chilli Oil.

Still hungry? Find more Muddy-approved recipes here.

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