
October 17, 2020

Food • Photography • Life


This is a fantastic way to hide some eggplant and use up a big hunk of pesto. I’ve served this on toast, with eggs, as the base of a sandwich, and would absolutely love the pesto swirled into some mashed potatoes. The hummus, too, tbh. Ooh. Would also be nice thinned with a bit of oil or water and tossed with pasta. I need to make a second batch.
gluten-free, paleo, vegetarian, vegan

Eggplant Hummus with Dill Pesto
Hummus
1 smallish eggplant, roasted
1 can chickpeas, drained
2 Tbsp. olive oil
Juice of 1 lemon
2 Tbsp. tahini
1/2 tsp. cumin
1/2 tsp. red pepper
Salt
To make, combine all ingredients in a food processor and whiz. Taste for seasoning and add more salt or acid as necessary.
Dill Pesto
1 huge hand dill (about 1/3 of a cup packed)
About 1/3 of a cup smoked almonds, chopped
1 big clove garlic
3-4 Tbsp. olive oil
1 Tbsp. water
Zest of 1 lemon
Salt
To make, combine all ingredients in a food processor and whiz. Taste for seasoning and add more salt or acid as necessary.
Makes about a cup of hummus and half – 3/4 a cup of pesto







This is a nice little dairy-free use of enchilada sauce. Would work well in a burrito.
A couple notes: I was wanting a little more fat with mine – the addition of a little butter before baking would work, and if you eat cheese – that would work as well.
Also watch your chicken. Mine turned out a touch rubbery – I may go for pre-sliced chicken strips next time.

Enchilada Chicken & Rice Bake
Gluten-free
1 small onion
1 Tbsp. neutral oil
1 cup long grain brown rice
1 tsp. cumin
2 tsp. garlic powder
2 bell peppers
1 jar enchilada sauce (375g)
3-4 chicken thighs
Optional: Avocado, cilantro, scallions, cheese
Slice the onion thinly and add to a large pan with 1 Tbsp. neutral oil over medium/medium-high heat. Sautée until beginning to soften.
Add the rice and toss until coated. Sautee until the rice smells nutty and is beginning to pop and brown a bit. Add to the bowl of a rice cooker or pot with 2 cups water, some salt and the spices. Cook how you cook brown rice.
While the rice is cooking, preheat the oven to 200C/375F and very lightly grease a casserole dish.
When the rice is done, add to the casserole. Thinly slice the peppers and arrange on top of the rice. Nestle the chicken on top. Top with enchilada sauce. Add a jar of water.
Cover tightly with tinfoil and bake 30 – 35 mins or until the chicken is cooked through.
Top with the optional add-ons and serve.
Serves 4
