Miso Aubergine With Cucumber Noodles Recipes

MISO-GRILLED AUBERGINE & CUCUMBER PICKLE RICE BOWL

Steps:

• Slice the cucumber into thin rounds and place in a bowl. Add 1 large pinch each of sea salt and sugar, 2 tablespoons of the rice vinegar, and massage it into the cucumber.
• Place a dish on top inside the bowl and weigh it down with something heavy. Set aside to allow the excess water to drain out.
• Rinse the rice well, until the water runs almost clear. Drain and place in a small saucepan along with 375ml of water.
• Pop a glass lid on, bring to the boil, then cook over a low heat for 25 minutes, or until you can see holes in the surface of the rice (don't be tempted to lift the lid). Take off the heat and leave, covered, for 20 minutes.
• Fold 4 tablespoons of rice vinegar, the tablespoons of sugar and 1 pinch of salt into the rice.
• Set the grill to high. Quarter the aubergine lengthways and score the flesh. Place flesh-side up on a foil-lined baking tray and grill for 15 minutes, or until almost tender.
• Mix the miso and mirin with the remaining tablespoon of rice vinegar and 1 tablespoon of water. Brush half the glaze over the aubergine; grill for a further 8 to 10 minutes, brushing with the remaining glaze halfway, until tender.
• Meanwhile, toast the sesame seeds (if using) in a dry frying pan until golden.
• Place the aubergine on a bed of sticky rice. Trim and finely slice the spring onions, scatter over the aubergine with the sesame seeds (if using) and serve with cucumber pickle on the side.

MISO AUBERGINES

Steps:

• Heat oven to 180C/160C fan/gas 4. With a sharp knife, criss-cross the flesh of the aubergines in a diagonal pattern, then place on a baking tray. Brush the flesh with 1 tbsp vegetable oil.
• Mix the miso with 25ml water to make a thick paste. Spread the paste over the aubergines, then cover the tray with foil and roast in the centre of the oven for 30 mins.
• Remove the foil and roast the aubergines for a further 15-20 mins, depending on their size, until tender.
• Meanwhile, bring a saucepan of salted water to the boil and heat ½ tbsp vegetable oil over a medium-high heat in a frying pan. Add the couscous to the frying pan, toast for 2 mins until golden brown, then tip into the pan of boiling water and cook for 8-10 mins until tender (or following pack instructions). Drain well. Serve the aubergines with the couscous, topped with the chilli and a scattering of coriander leaves.

MISO AUBERGINE WITH CUCUMBER NOODLES

Steps:

• Heat the grill to medium. Halve the aubergine lengthways and cut a crisscross pattern into the cut side. Put cut-side down on a baking sheet and grill for 10 minutes, or until the skin starts to brown.
• Turn over and spread 1 tbsp miso paste on each cut side, put back under the grill and cook for 15 minutes, or until the aubergine is soft and cooked through, being careful not to let it burn. Sprinkle with sesame seeds and grill briefly to brown them.
• Meanwhile, soak the rice noodles following the packet instructions. Peel the cucumber, then use the peeler to cut into thin strips. Toss these with the noodles and season with salt and the vinegar.

MISO-GLAZED AUBERGINE (NASU DENGAKU)

Steps:

• Preheat the oven to 200ºC / 400ºF
• Using a medium-size mixing bowl add the miso paste, sesame oil, soy sauce, rice vinegar, maple syrup, and hot water. Mix all the ingredients until they are well combined.
• To prepare the aubergines, cut them in halves lengthwise. Score the inside of the aubergine in squares making diagonal cuts. The cuts need to be deep but keeping the skin untouched.
• Using a brush, marinate the aubergine with the miso glaze. Make sure enough sauce is used on each aubergine.
• Place some baking paper on a baking tray, lay the marinated aubergines (facing up) and bake for around 30-40 minutes.
• When the aubergines are cooked, take them out of the oven and drizzle some extra miso mixture on the top, add finely chopped onions and sprinkle some sesame seeds.

GINGER MISO AUBERGINE NOODLES

Steps:

• Bring a pan of water to the boil and cook the noodles following pack instructions. Meanwhile, heat the sunflower oil in a frying pan. Cook the aubergines over a medium heat for 5-8 mins until softened.
• Mix together the ginger, miso paste, sesame oil, mirin and sugar, add to the pan with the aubergines and cook for a few mins. Drain the cooked soba noodles and add to the pan, toss together, then divide between serving plates and scatter with the spring onions.