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Stuffed aubergine rolls with ricotta, lemon and mint

 

 

stuffed aubergine rolls

Serves 6

  • 2-3 tbsp stratta lemon infused olive oil
  • 2 or 3 medium aubergines, sliced into 1cm thick lengths (to roll)
  • 250g ricotta
  • 25g mint leaves finely chopped
  • 25g chives, finely chopped
  • 10g parmigiano reggiano, finely grated

For the tomato sauce

  • 3tbsp extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 garlic clove, crushed
  • 400g can chopped plum tomatoes

 

Preheat the oven to 180ºC.

Brush a little stratta lemon oil over a large baking tray and lay the aubergines in a single layer. Brush the top with the remaining lemon oil, season and bake for 20-25 minutes until soft and lightly golden.

Remove from the oven and leave to cool for 15 minutes.

Meanwhile make the tomato sauce:  Heat the extra virgin olive oil in a pan over a low heat and fry the onions and, after a couple of minutes, the garlic for around 10 minutes until softened.

Add the plum tomatoes, season and simmer gently for 30 minutes.

Spoon about half of the sauce into the base of a baking dish.

Mix the ricotta, mint, chives and parmesan for the filling and season to taste. It should be minty and full of flavour so add more herbs if needed.

When the aubergines are at room temperature, put a spoonful of the stuffing into the thin end of each slice.  Roll up and place seam-side down in the baking dish.

Spoon the remaining tomato sauce over the rolls.

Bake until the sauce is bubbling and just starting to brown – around 20 minutes.

Serve warm or at room temperature with salad leaves and crusty bread.

 

 

 

 

Categories
Stratta blog

Courgette and shiso soup with parmesan and ricotta

Koj (Andrew Kojima), the brilliant Cotswold chef, introduced us to shiso.

http://kojcooks.co.uk/

This extraordinary Japanese herb adds great interest to dishes as you roll through the flavours that open up – is that basil, or mint, or coriander or…….!  With courgettes in profusion at this time of year we are always looking for new ways to enjoy them.  Here is one of them…

Courgette and shiso soup 1

  • 1tbsp olive oil
  • 1 onion finely sliced
  • 1kg courgettes, chopped into small chunks
  • 2 garlic cloves, crushed
  • Handful of basil leaves and handful of mint leaves roughly chopped (or if you can find it… small handful of shiso leaves)
  • 75g ricotta, plus 2tbsp extra to serve
  • 500ml vegetable stock
  • 30ml stratta shiso vinegar
  • 4 tbsp grated parmigiano reggiano

Heat the oil in a large pan; fry the onion and courgettes over a medium heat for 5-10 minutes until softened and slightly browned.

Add the garlic and basil or shiso stalks, season with salt and cook for 2-3 minutes.

Add the ricotta, stock, stratta shiso vinegar, most of the mint and basil leaves (or shiso leaves) and 250ml water.

Bring to the boil and simmer for a couple of minutes until everything is tender.

Blitz with a hand blender until smooth.

Stir in the cheese and season.

Serve in bowls with the remaining ricotta and torn mint and basil (or shiso) leaves.