Prep time:

Cooking time: 42 minutes

Total time:

Serves: 4

1tbsp tomato purée

3 medium aubergines, thickly sliced (1cm)

1 can chickpeas, drained

1 onion, finely chopped

1 tin tomatoes

2tsp harissa spices (to taste – it contains chilli)

75g dried apricots (or dates), chopped

1tsp cinnamon

couscous, or rice (and/or flatbread) and Greek style yoghurt, garnished with pomegranate or preserved lemon and coriander, to serve

100ml vegetable stock (or water) – use if the sauce becomes too thick

The melting texture of aubergine in this warming vegetarian dish contrasts well with the nuttiness of chickpeas. As with curry, the flavours of a tagine deepen and intensify over time, so you can happily make this a day in advance.


You will need: a casserole pot or tagine

Preheat your oven to 160°C. Gently fry the aubergines and onion until soft (5-10 mins), then add the rest of the ingredients to the casserole/tagine, combine well and bake for 30-40 minutes in the oven. Remove from the oven and allow the flavours to develop for a few minutes (or overnight and then re-heat) before serving.

Sausage & apple rolls

Apples go so well with pork and with pastry. Choose a good cooking variety and some high quality sausage meat for these deliciously simple-to-make sausage rolls – perfect to serve at Halloween or Bonfire Night.

Apple, cauliflower & Stilton salad

This crunchy salad is ideal for the autumn – whatever the weather. It is hearty enough to serve for a light lunch or supper on its own, but equally good as a side dish. Use firm, tangy dessert apples like...

Hedgerow harvest cake

Celebrate the season with a delicious combination of fruits and nuts gathered from the hedgerows (or the supermarket). Apple is a very useful ingredient in general for cakes, either grated or as apple purée, as it will help to keep...