Meera Sodha’s vegan recipe for sticky peanut aubergine flatbreads

From theguardian.com

The perfect flatbread deserves to be honoured with the right filling, and this aubergine concoction comes out tops 

Recently, I discovered a new Greek flatbread in my local supermarket. Stout but soft, and as plump as a baby’s cheek, it set my heart a-flutter, and now that Greek flatbread and I, we’re in the throes of an early romance. I have tried to honour my flatbread with nothing but the best fillings – namely, something unscrupulously delicious (and also easy). Which is another way of saying that I’ve experimented with a lot of bung-it-in-the-oven fillings, and these sticky, peanutty and spiced aubergines came out tops.

Sticky peanut aubergine flatbreads

Unscrupulously delicious: Meera Sodha’s sticky peanut aubergine flatbread. Photograph: Louise Hagger/The Guardian. Food styling: Emily Kydd. Prop styling: Jennifer Kay. Food styling assistant: Susanna Unsworth. Photo assistant: Sophie Bronze

Prep 5 min
Cook 1 hr
Serves 4

For the aubergines
3 aubergines (1kg)
3 tbsp rapeseed oil
Fine sea salt
2 banana shallots (150g), peeled and sliced into thin half-moons
4 tbsp red-wine vinegar
100g (or 6 tbsp) crunchy peanut butter
4 tbsp light soy sauce
3 tbsp dark agave syrup
1½ tbsp tomato paste
1½ tsp ground cumin
1 tsp cayenne pepper

To serve
Greek flatbreads – I like Deli Kitchen
80g vegan mayonnaise
100g baby spinach

Heat the oven to 200C (180C fan)/390F/gas 6. Cut the aubergines in half lengthways, then cut them into roughly 3cm x 8cm wedges. Put the aubergine pieces in a large bowl and toss with all the oil and a teaspoon of salt. Arrange on a lined baking tray, keeping the bowl to one side, and roast for 30 minutes.

While the aubergines are roasting, put the sliced shallots in a small bowl with the vinegar and a quarter-teaspoon of salt, stir to combine, then submerge the shallots in the liquid and set to one side.

Put the peanut butter, soy sauce, agave syrup, tomato paste, cumin and cayenne pepper in the empty, oily aubergine bowl, and stir to mix.

When the aubergines are ready, take them out of the oven and tip into the large bowl with the peanut butter mix. Mix well, so the aubergines are coated in the sauce, then tip the lot back on to the baking tray and spread out in a single layer. Return to the oven for another 10 minutes, until the sauce thickens and becomes sticky.

Heat up your flatbreads – just pop them in the oven for a couple of minutes. To build the wraps, spoon a tablespoon and a half of mayo into the middle of each flatbread, top with a handful of spinach leaves, and top that with some of the aubergine mix and a few quick-pickled shallots. Fold the edges around and chomp.

https://www.theguardian.com/food/2024/jan/20/sticky-peanut-aubergine-flatbreads-vegan-recipe-meera-sodha