I am a huge carb lover, but unfortunately (weeps) they do not like me.
Pasta, noodles , chips, crisp and more chips. Well I could gauge on them all day every day. But I end up looking 9 months pregnant and it feels like I have a tonne of bricks strapped to my stomach.
I fancied Moussaka or Lasagne over the Bank Holiday, so I decided to try and made a carb-free alternative.
I basically chucked together a load of vegetables that needed using up, and it turned out pretty spectacular. Much better than I had anticipated to be honest.
Because well sometimes these great ideas of mind can end up straight in the bin.
(SO HAPPY THIS WAS NOT THE CASE)
Aubergine & Bean Bake Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1 aubergine
- 2 tins of mixed beans
- 1 red pepper
- 1 red onion
- 10 cherry tomatoes.
- 1 courgette
- 1 tablespoon smoked paprika
- 1 tablespoon of cajun spice
- 3 cloves of crushed garlic
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon oregano
- 1 vegetable stock cube
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- 70g of grated mozzarella
- Handful of parsley to garnish
- 2 tablespoons of Olive Oil
Method:
- Wash the aubergine and slice into 3cm round pieces.
- Season with a teaspoon of salt and fry in a pan with no oil for 2 minutes on each side. (This prevents the aubergine from having a soggy and chewy texture).
- Once all the aubergine slices have been cooked, remove from pan.
- Add Olive Oil sliced red pepper, courgette, red onion, garlic, soy sauce, cajun spice, paprika, and pan fry on a medium heat for 5 minutes.
- Add passatta, sugar, beans and vegetable stock cube and stir and simmer on low for 5 minutes.
- To a rectangle oven dish add a layer of aubergine.
- Spoon on the bean and vegetable mix.
- Sprinkle half the mozzarella over and repeat the process.
- Bake in the oven at 180C (gas mark 4) for 20 minutes.
I served it with a side salad, and couple of tablespoons of coleslaw.
The aubergine added a hearty layer to the bake, and I can honestly say I did not miss the pasta at all.
I think the cheesy crispy topping SO made up for it.
You could add any mince or chicken into the bean sauce too, or opt for a vegan cheese alternative.
This recipe is really adaptable, and can be suited to your dietary needs.
Do you think you may try?
