Not quite a curry, but with just a few fragrant spices and a gentle cook in the oven, you’ll be rewarded with a pot of melting meat and aubergine which will make you oh so happy! And for non meat eaters, read on to the end for a vegetarian alternative.
Ingredients, to serve four with rice
- 3 tbsp oil
- 750g pork cut into bite sized chunks (I used skinless pork belly strips)
- 2 aubergines cut into bite sized chunks
- 2 tbsp brown sugar
- 5 star anise
- 1 cinnamon stick
- 2 onions, peeled and very finely diced
- 1 tbsp grated ginger
- 1 red chili, finely chopped
- 1 bunch fresh coriander (separate stems and leaves and finely chop both)
- 1 tbsp fish sauce
- Juice of a lime
Heat oven to 200C/180C Fan Oven/Gas 6. Heat the oil in an ovenproof pan that has a lid and fry the meat until browned (you may need to do this in batches), remove from the pan.
Add the aubergine and brown (you may need a little extra oil), remove from the pan and put with the pork.
Now add the sugar to the pan and allow to caramelise slightly, then return the meat and aubergine to the pan with the cinnamon and star anise.
Put the onions, ginger, most of the chili (reserving a little for garnishing) and the chopped coriander stalks into the pan and cook for a couple of minutes. Add the fish sauce and enough water to cover the mixture completely.
Cover and place in the oven for an hour. Remove, stir in most of the coriander and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Garnish with any remaining coriander and chili and serve with boiled rice and vegetables.
For a vegetarian version, omit the pork, and replace with a mixture of robust mushrooms such as brown chestnut and shitake. Substitute the fish sauce with a light soy sauce.
Inspired by a BBC Good Food recipe
Chica Andaluza 
Spiced pork and aubergine. Can’t lose 🙂
A winning combination for me!
That’s so dark it almost looks like beef!
I’ve been to the Spanish dentist for Inquisition treatment today (which is what I told him), so I’d better cook some pork to build up immunity 😉
Eek…I need to find a Spanish dentist for Big Man (we already have a Spanish doctor)! Hope it doesn’t hurt too much 😓
This time it was good.
Good luck with finding a Spanish dentist on the south coast. If it becomes a problem you’ll have to introduce him to mine!
Sounds promising, Tanya! I did your pork and peppers last Sunday lunchtime and we thoroughly enjoyed it. I probably didn’t follow it exactly but it was good. Will try this one next week. 🙂 🙂 Have a great weekend!
Oh I’m so pleased you tried it and made it your own! I loved this one with aubergines as I’m a big fan 😀
Me too! Just got to convince the husband 🙂
I have the same issue here but this one went down well!
Love the spices you have used here 🙂
Oh mmmm – this sounds dreamy! I’ll let you know when I make it!
Your last recipe was such a success in our house I will definitely be giving this one a try!
I need to put you on the payroll…if I had one 😎
A one woman cheer squad! (Although I’m sure I wouldn’t be alone for long 😉).
Recently, Conor shared a recipe for curried lamb with melanzane and I enjoyed it. I bet this dish you’ve shared will be another I’d enjoy. Cooking the melanzane low and slow is a very rewarding way to go. When cooked in conjunction with pork belly, the dish must be a real treat. Cannot wait to try it. Thanks, Tanya!
Ooh I need to check out Conor’s recipe! I’m a big aubergine fan 😀
This is a very different and delicious sounding dish…I really like eggplant.
Ooh I need to check out Conor’s recipe! I’m a big aubergine fan 😀
Oops message to Chgo John went to you I think! This was a different and delicious way to cook the eggplant. ..really enjoyed it!
This sounds really nice. Vaguely Mahgrebian sounding–or a dish you invented? Either way, it must be delicious. 🙂
Pinched it from the BBC website!
Such an easy and quick meal to prepare. Love spiced pork with rice!
It looks delicious, are you a chef?:D
good good
yes
good morning