Over the recent long weekend I got together with some friends for an Ottolenghi feast which was unsurprisingly a delicious affair. I decided to whip up this eggplant mango soba salad because I can’t go past soba noodles! It was delicious and even relatively easy for an Ottolenghi recipe!
I made some very minor tweaks to the recipe from Plenty
Ingredients List
- 120ml rice vinegar
- 30g caster sugar
- Pinch salt
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 red chilli
- 1tsp sesame oil
- Zest and juice of two limes
- 250g soba noodles
- 220ml sunflower oil
- 2 eggplants
- 1 mango
- Bunch of fresh coriander
- Bunch of basil
- Half a red onion
Steps
- Combine the vinegar, sugar and salt in a small saucepan and gently heat until the sugar is dissolved, stirring occasionally then remove from the heat
- Mince the garlic and finely chop the chilli then add to the dressing with the sesame oil. Leave to cool, then add the lime zest and juice
- Meanwhile, cook the soba noodles according to packet instructions (about 5 minutes) then drain and rinse well under cold water. Leave to dry on a tea towel
- Heat the sunflower oil in a pan, and dice the eggplant into 2cm pieces. Fry the eggplant in batches until golden brown then drain in a colander with a generous sprinkle of salt
- Dice the mango and chop the herbs, then thinly slice the red onion
- Combine the soba noodles, eggplant, mango, herbs and red onion in a serving dish then pour over the dressing and toss to coat
This eggplant mango soba salad was a big hit. It’s fresh, zesty and light and makes the perfect lunch dish. It’s also excellent for dinner, particularly when served with some marinated tofu on the side. So yum.
I’ve never been a huge fan of frying things, and even the eggplant in this dish was a struggle for me to cook because using that much oil always freaks me out. I have to say though, it was so worth it! The eggplant is so delicious when cooked this way, and it somehow still felt pretty healthy too!
Getting together for an Ottolenghi feast was such a good way to get to eat lots of delicious food with friends, and we all rolled out of there feeling full but oh-so-happy. I have a feeling it will be an event we repeat somewhat regularly now!
Are you an Ottolenghi fan? Have you tried this eggplant mango soba salad?
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I Spy Plum Pie is Liz, an early 30s kiwi-born, Melbourne raised girl who is passionate about the environment and sustainability, food, exploring and learning new things. Join me on my journey to a happy, sustainable life!