Roast Puttanesca Aubergines With Tomato Rice and Feta

    30m prep time
    130m total time
    Easy level
    19 ingredients

This dish brings together the rich, smoky flavours of roasted aubergines with the bold, briny notes of a classic puttanesca sauce. Paired with herbed tomato rice and crumbled feta, it offers a satisfying balance of textures and tastes. Whether served as a hearty main or a vibrant side, this recipe is sure to delight the palate.

Method

Based on 4 servings, adjust as needed.

Step 1

Heat the oven to 190C/170C fan/gas 5. Heat a little oil in a saucepan over a medium heat and cook the shallots with a pinch of salt for about 8 mins, stirring until softened. Add the rice and tomato purée, stirring to coat the rice in the oil for about 1 min. Tip the mixture into a medium baking dish, about 20 x 30cm, then add the garlic and sundried tomatoes.

Step 2

Tip the chopped tomatoes and the stock into the pan you cooked the shallots and rice in and return the pan to the heat. Bring to the boil and carefully pour over the rice mixture in the baking dish. Cover tightly and bake for 1 hr 30 mins until all the liquid has been absorbed and the rice is golden at the edges.

Step 3

Meanwhile, score the cut sides of the aubergine halves in a diamond pattern, being careful not to cut through the skin. Scatter the oregano over the aubergine flesh and season. Lightly brush or rub with a little more oil, pushing the seasoning into the cuts. Put the aubergines in a large baking dish or roasting tin, flesh-side up. When the rice has been in the oven for 15 mins, put the aubergines on a lower shelf to bake for 45 mins, covered, then a further 30-35 mins, uncovered, until golden and soft. Remove both dishes from the oven, cover and set aside.

Step 4

Combine the capers, olives, pine nuts and basil in a bowl. Stir half through the baked rice using a fork to fluff the rice up slightly. Add the feta and cherry tomatoes to the remaining mixture and season with black pepper. Spoon the rice onto a large serving platter and top with the aubergine halves. Spoon the feta mixture over the aubergines, drizzle with some balsamic glaze or quality balsamic and garnish with the extra basil leaves. Drizzle with a little extra virgin olive oil, if you like, and serve with a green leafy salad.
  • Ingredients
  • Based on 4 servings
  • 5 Sundried Tomatoes, in oil, drained and finely sliced 1 x Sainsbury's Sun Dried Tomatoes, Inspired to Cook 280g (168g*)
  • 3 tbsp Olive Oil, or use the oil from the sundried tomato jar 1 x Sainsbury's Olive Oil 500ml
  • Black Pepper to taste 1 x Sainsbury's Black Peppercorn Grinder 50g
  • 2 Aubergines, halved lengthways 2 x Sainsbury's Aubergine
  • 3tbsp Capers, drained and rinsed 1 x Sainsbury's Inspired to Cook Capucine Capers 198g (125g*)
  • 100g Black Olives, pitted and chopped 1 x Sainsbury's Pitted Black Olives 340g (150g*)
  • 60g Pine Nuts, toasted 1 x Sainsbury's Pine Nuts 100g
  • 200g Feta, crumbled 1 x Sainsbury's Greek Feta Cheese 200g
  • 300g Baby Plum Tomatoes, quartered 1 x Sainsbury's Baby Plum Tomatoes 325g
  • 400g Chopped Tomatoes, canned 1 x Stamford Street Co. Chopped Tomatoes in Tomato Juice 400g
  • 2tbsp Tomato Purée 1 x Sainsbury's Tomato Puree, Double Concentrate 200g
  • 3 Garlic Cloves, finely chopped 1 x Sainsbury's Garlic
  • 225g Easy Cook Long Grain Brown Rice 1 x Sainsbury's Brown Rice 1kg
  • 20g Basil, chopped, plus a few extra leaves to garnish 1 x Sainsbury's Fresh Packed Basil 30g
  • 3 Banana Shallots, or use red onion, finely chopped 1 x Sainsbury's Echalion Shallots 400g
  • 1tbsp Finely Chopped Oregano, or use a little dried oregano 1 x Sainsbury's Fresh Oregano 20g
  • 1 head Leafy Salad, to serve 1 x Sainsbury's Lettuce, Round
  • 500ml Vegetable Stock 1 x Knorr Stock Pot Vegetable 4x28g
  • 1 tsp Balsamic Glaze, to garnish, to taste 1 x Sainsbury's Balsamic Glaze 250ml
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