Jono & Jules do food & wine

A summer day of torrential rain showers, so we retreat inside and cook this comfort food instead. We love barbecues but a nice change for today.

Don’t be afraid to get a good char on the aubergines when frying them, it really helps to flavour the chilli. We like to serve this with all of usual chilli sides – rice, coriander, avocado, sour cream, tortilla chips and grated cheddar cheese.

Wine Suggestion: A wet weather red wine with this … The Bee Side Grenache by Domaine of the Bee in Roussillon. Deeply coloured and full-bodied. This is, significantly, not heavy and has a real panache alongside refined, spicy tannins that suit this wet summer evening and our smoky aubergine chilli.

Smoky Aubergine Chilli – serves 4

• 3 aubergines, diced (not too big)
• 4 tbsp vegetable oil
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 4 cloves of garlic, finely chopped
• 2 red peppers, chopped
• 2 tsp ground cumin
• 2 tsp ground coriander
• 2 tsp smoked paprika
• 1 tbsp chipotle paste
• 2 x 400g tins chopped tomatoes
• 2 x 400g tins kidney beans, rinsed and drained
• a small bunch of coriander, leaves roughly chopped
• 1 lime, cut into wedges
• sour cream or yoghurt
• steamed rice

Toss the diced aubergines with 2 tbsp of the oil and plenty of salt in a large bowl.

Heat a non-stick frying pan over a medium-high heat and fry the aubergine in batches for 4-5 minutes, it should be browned and charred. Scoop out onto a plate and set aside.

Add the other 2 tbsp of oil to the pan along with the onion and some salt, cook for about 5 minutes or until softened. Add the garlic and cook for a minute before adding the peppers, spices and chipotle paste. Stir for 2-3 minutes, then add the tomatoes and a full tin of water.

Add the aubergines and beans, season well and simmer gently for 40 minutes until thickened.

Stir in the coriander and serve with lime wedges, yoghurt/sour cream, steamed rice and any of the other suggstions above.

(Original recipe by Adam Bush in Olive Magazine, June 2021.)