This is a simplified version of a Thai street food dish. The combination of aubergine, lemongrass, tamarind, coconut milk, sugar and spices is incredible.

Ingredients

Serves: 4

Preparation/Cooking time: 45 mins

• 3 large aubergines, each cut into 6 slices (lengthways)

• Sesame oil for frying (you can also use rapeseed)

• 5 shallots or 1 large onion, finely diced

• 2 cloves garlic, crushed

• 1 stick lemongrass (bashed)

• 1 tsp tamarind paste

• 4 tbsp soya sauce

• 2 tins coconut milk

• 2 tbsp syrup (eg maple, agave) or 1 tbsp brown sugar

• 1 tsp stock powder (eg Marigold, vegan)

• Juice of 2 limes

  Spices:

• 2 tsp ground cumin

• 2 tsp ground coriander

• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg

• ½ tsp cinnamon

• ½ tsp chilli powder

• Pinch ground cloves

• Pinch fennel seeds

Optional: serve with Jasmine rice, Thai crackers, fresh coriander, Thai Basil, lime, unsweetened vegan yoghurt, sweet chilli sauce, toasted cashews.

Method

1. Either fry the aubergine slices on each side until golden with a little oil and salt OR if you prefer pre-heat the oven to 180ºC (fan)/350ºF/Gas Mark 4, lightly coat the slices in oil and a sprinkle of salt and roast them until golden (around 15 minutes on each side), turning once. Set aside. (Note: we charred ours on a griddle pan first – a few minutes on each side)

2. Lightly fry the shallots/onion with the fennel seeds in the sesame oil until soft and golden.

3. Add the crushed garlic and fry for a further minute.

4. Add all the spices, stir and fry for another minute.

5. Add the coconut milk, tamarind paste, lemongrass, soya sauce, stock powder, syrup/sugar. Bring to the boil and then simmer to reduce for around 20-30 minutes.

6. Adjust the flavour to your taste, adding more soya sauce, syrup or lime juice (if necessary).

7. Remove the lemongrass before serving. Serve with rice and optional extras.

Maryanne Hall, Viva! Vegan Recipe Club www.veganrecipeclub.org.uk

Instagram: @veganrecipeclub