AUBERGINES AND FETA

A CLASSIC MEDITERRANEAN DISH ADAPTED TO A HEALTHIER VERSION 

AUBERGINES AND LOW FAT COTTAGE CHEESE

 

I used to always wonder what to serve vegetarians when I was entertaining, and preparing a Non Indian meal.

 

Indian food is easy we have loads of vegetarian dishes and sometimes I adapt some of the classics into a continental version.

1) Like Bhindi and potato panfried with garlic, salt and pepper.

2) Aubergines in a tomato sauce.

3) Baked cauliflower with peas etc.

 

In Dubai I had Aubergines and Feta at a Mediterranean restaurant and it soon became my favourite. Who doesn't love feta cheese?

But you cant have it too often so I came up with a lower fat, healthier version and its a huge hit.

 

Prepping the Aubergines

 

1/2 inch slices of "Bharta Baingan" or the large Aubergines. Salt it lightly and leave aside. Wash thoroughly after 10 mins

Crush garlic with salt and pepper, and apply to the sliced aubergines. Now the amount of garlic you use is up to you, I for one love garlic and use it abundantly.

 

Heat up a little olive oil in a grilling pan or a regular Nonstick pan and gently roast the slices of aubergines, you could also lay out the slices on a baking tray and drizzle olive oil on the sliced aubergines and roast a 200 degree C oven till cooked and lightly browned

 

Once the slices are done, lay them out on a platter

 

For the Cheese Crumble

Again this is fairly to taste - even the quantity of crumble depends on you

But  I generally have a thumb rule - For 3 Large Aubergines - 1/2 cup of cheese crumble

You could use only cottage cheese or if you want a little zip do half cottage cheese and half feta cheese

If you want to further lower the calories then use 1 part feta cheese to 3 parts cottage cheese

 

Once you decide your proportion - enhance the flavour

To the crumble add diced green chillies, coriander or mint, crushed pepper and a little salt and chilli flakes

All the above are to your taste

 

Once you prepare your crumble spread it out over the aubergines

Garnish with fresh mint or coriander whichever one you used in the crumble

Drizzle lightly with olive oil and serve with a lemon half - squeeze before serving

 

 Enjoy!!