Hi everyone, I just came home from work, and was absolutely starving, and could not really be bothered to cook, it was going to be another Tea and Toast dinner for the Nimmo family. I popped on the jug to get the cuppa brewing, and opened the fridge to get the milk.
LOW AND BEHOLD. There was left over food which I had totally forgotten about from last night's mad rush for food!!! And it was such an exciting discovery. All the flavours from my found dish had been infusing all day in the velvety olive oil that I had cooked it all in.
What did I cook I hear you ask?
I had cooked the most delicious CAPONATA. I have made a few recently with the eggplants being so bold, shiny and just calling me. This meal is just so quick and tasty and the mix of flavours just tantalises my taste buds every time. Sweet, salty, crunchy, and the zing from the vinegar component.
It is much better to let the caponata infuse over night so the flavours meld, although it is just as delicious when eaten the same day like I did last night.
So here is the secret recipe that I use for my caponata.
One large eggplant - cut into large cubes
One Onion cut into chunks
2 Garlic Cloves
Some butter about a dessert spoon
Capsicum cut into chunks
Tomato Paste
Cut up tomatoes - about 3-4 large ones.
Capers
Splash Red wine Vinegar
Salt and pepper
Green Olives
How to put together
Sautee the eggplant in PLENTY of oil in batches until it has soaked up the oil and browned. This can take alot of oil - but its worth it.
Put these to the side
Saute onion, garlic and capsicum in oil and butter
When this is all gooey and soft, then add back in your eggplant.
Add in your pre-cut tomatoes
Mix through about of 2 dessert spoons of Tomato paste
Add in the capers, vinegar, pepper and salt
Sneak in also some sugar - I just use raw as it lives beside my stove. a healthy pinch I would suggest.
Keep gently turning in the pan while it cooks down
When completed, add in about 10 green olives.
So we end up with a sweet, salty, tangy dish that you can do so much with.
Leave in the fridge over night for best results, more delicious when served cool.