Name: Sweet-sour griddled aubergines
Prep time: 20 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 45 min
Yield: Serves 6 as a side
Ingredients: 3 aubergines, cut into 1cm-thick slices; olive oil, for brushing; 25g walnuts; 1 tbsp caster sugar; 1½ tbsp runny honey; 1½ tbsp sherry vinegar; 3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil; 3 oregano sprigs, leaves picked and chopped; 1 red onion, finely chopped; 50g feta, crumbled; 1½ tsp sumac; 1½ tsp sesame seeds

An oval platter piled with charred slices of aubergine on a wooden table

3 aubergines
cut into 1cm-thick slices
olive oil
for brushing
25g walnuts
1 tbsp caster sugar
1½ tbsp runny honey
1½ tbsp sherry vinegar
3 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil
3 oregano sprigs
leaves picked and chopped
1 red onion
finely chopped
50g feta
crumbled
1½ tsp sumac
1½ tsp sesame seeds

Method

step 1
Heat a griddle pan over a high heat. Season the aubergine slices with fine sea salt and brush each side with olive oil. Cook the slices in batches for 3-5 mins on each side or until golden and charred, and completely soft throughout. Transfer to a bowl while you cook the remaining batches.
step 2
Heat the walnuts in a dry frying pan until lightly toasted, sprinkle over the sugar and a pinch of salt, and mix well until lightly coated. Transfer to a chopping board to cool.
step 3
Whisk together the honey, vinegar and oil in a small bowl, then toss into the aubergine bowl and coat well. Transfer to a large serving platter. Roughly chop the walnuts before scattering over the aubergines, along with the oregano, onion, feta, sumac and sesame seeds.