Do you need to salt aubergines before cooking?

Many aubergine recipes want you to salt before cooking to reduce the bitterness and pull liquid, but it is not necessary. As a rule, you can salt the aubergine when you want it to be creamy and tender, but when you want it to keep its shape and firm texture, there is no need to salt it before cooking. Note that aubergines have a mild flavour, so for most recipes, you probably want to season with salt, curry, chilli, or other flavours as you prepare the dish, whether you pre-salt the aubergines or not.

Do you peel aubergines before cooking?

You can eat the skin of an aubergine, so you do not have to peel them before use – especially not if you make them like these baked aubergines, in which the skin helps keep in all the juicy, soft, fleshy inside of the vegetable. However, the skin can be bitter, especially in very ripened aubergines, so in some cases, you might want to peel them.

How long do you bake aubergines?

The baking time depends on shapes and sizes. You can slice them in half, cut them into rounds, or cube them. Slices or cubes should bake for about 25-35 minutes, while whole or halved aubergines may take up to 40-45 minutes. They are done when they are tender, caramelised around the edges, and the flesh is soft. If you bake them too long, they can become overly mushy and lose their shape. If underbaked, they will be tough and slightly bitter.

Baked aubergines with feta and pomegranate

50 mins cooking time

Baked aubergines with feta and pomegranate

50 mins cooking time

Method

Preheat your oven to 220C/200C fan/gas mark 7.

In a small bowl, mix Lurpak® Plant Based and harissa paste. Set aside.

Cut aubergines in half lengthways and score the flesh in a criss-cross pattern. Place on a large baking tray.

Rub the harissa Lurpak® Plant Based over the flesh of the aubergines, making sure to get into the cuts.

Sprinkle with salt and freshly ground pepper. Place in the oven for 35-40 minutes or until the flesh is cooked and tender.

Remove from the oven and sprinkle each half of the aubergine with feta, pomegranate seeds, and chopped coriander.

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With Lurpak® Plant based you now have all the great taste and quality that you expect from Lurpak® but in a plant based product. With Lurpak® by your side you’re always ready to start cooking. Now sleeves up and crush expectations. Learn more about new Lurpak® Plant Based.

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Baked aubergines with feta and pomegranate

Baked aubergines with feta and pomegranate

Method

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