Name: Aubergine pilaf with crispy halloumi
Total time: 35 min
Yield: Serves 4
Ingredients: 2 aubergines cut into 2cm chunks; 2 tbsp ras el hanout plus 1 tsp; 3 tbsp olive oil; 450ml vegetable stock hot; a pinch saffron; 1 onion thinly sliced; 2 cloves garlic crushed; 1 tsp cumin seeds; 300g basmati rice washed; 225g block halloumi; 1 tsp sesame seeds; yogurt to serve (optional)

2 aubergines
cut into 2cm chunks
2 tbsp ras el hanout
plus 1 tsp
3 tbsp olive oil
450ml vegetable stock
hot
a pinch saffron
1 onion
thinly sliced
2 cloves garlic
crushed
1 tsp cumin seeds
300g basmati rice
washed
225g block halloumi
1 tsp sesame seeds
yogurt
to serve (optional)

Method

step 1
Heat the oven to 200C/fan 180C/gas 6. Toss the aubergines with 1 tbsp of the ras el hanout and 1½ tbsp of the oil on a baking sheet and season well. Roast for 15-20 minutes or until lightly golden and softened. Mix the hot stock with the saffron in a jug and leave to infuse.
step 2
Meanwhile, heat 1 tbsp of oil in a deep casserole over a medium-high heat. Fry the onions for 10-15 minutes or until golden and crisp. Scoop out with a slotted spoon onto kitchen paper, leaving the oil in the pan. Add the garlic, cumin, 1 tbsp of ras el hanout and sizzle for 1 min, then stir in the rice, to coat in the oil and spices. Add the stock and some seasoning, and stir briefly, then put on the lid and reduce the heat to low. Cook for 15 minutes, then remove from the heat and leave to steam for another 5 minutes.
step 3
While the pilaf is steaming, cut the halloumi into shards, and heat the remaining ½ tbsp of oil in a non-stick frying pan. Fry the halloumi for 1-2 minutes until crisp and golden, then flip and cook for another minute. Sprinkle over the remaining 1 tsp of ras el hanout, along with the sesame seeds, and toss to coat the halloumi.
step 4
Fluff up the pilaf with a fork, then stir in the roasted aubergines and golden onions. Serve topped with the crispy halloumi and a dollop of yogurt, if you like.