Aubergine and Green Lentil Koftas

These aubergine and green lentil koftas are a fantastic way to enjoy the flavours of the middle east from your own home.

The Moroccan inspired spices compliment the delicate flavour of the aubergine and are great to serve with a dip as a sharing plate or in a pita.

You can shape the koftas in any way that suits – some go for regular patty shape, others for a kebab style.

This dish uses 1 protein serving, ½ carbohydrate and 1 fat serving from your daily allowances.

Ingredients for Aubergine and Green Lentil Koftas

– 280g green lentils

– 2 aubergine (approx 250g), sliced in half length-ways

– 1 tbsp ground cinnamon

– 2 tablespoon of olive oil

– 1 tbsp ground cumin

– 100g breadcrumb

– 1 vegetable stock cube

– 1 tbsp mild chilli powder

Instructions for Aubergine and Green Lentil Koftas

1. Preheat the oven to 180ºC (fan)/350˚F/Gas Mark 4.

2. Lay the aubergines skin down on a baking tray and drizzle with olive oil.

3.  Bake for 10 – 20 minutes or until they are soft in the middle. Set aside and leave to cool.

4. In the meantime, rinse the green lentils thoroughly before placing into a pan and covering with 500ml of water.

5.  Bring the pan to the boil and reduce to simmer until the lentils become soft. Then remove from the heat, drain and allow to cool.

6. Take the green lentils and place them into a bowl with the cinnamon, cumin, chilli powder and crumble in the stock cube.

7. If the aubergines are cool enough grab a dessert spoon and start scooping the cooked aubergine out of its skin and into the bowl.

8. Now get your hands in and mix together ensuring you squish as many lentils together in the mix as you can (don’t worry too much on this as the whole lentils will give the koftas a nice texture at the end).

9. Add your bread crumbs to the mix and stir them in, leaving it for a few minutes to let the mixture thicken. If the mix is to wet to mould into balls, add some more breadcrumbs 20g a time.

10. Mould the mixture into balls then press each ball down to form flat circles or shape as you prefer.

11. Heat the last tablespoon of oil in a pan and shallow fry each side until they are just over golden. Then place in your oven for 5 minutes to heat through.

Click here to download your copy of the Aubergine and Green Lentil Koftas recipe