Chinese Marinaded Aubergine

• 1 Large aubergine (egg plant)
• 1/4 cup roasted sesame oil*
• 1 tablespoon chilli sauce/sambal
• 2 cloves of garlic, crushed
• a splash of light soya sauce (enough to make a dressing consistency)
• a good pinch of ground WHITE pepper
• 1 handful chopped coriander (cilantro) leaves

1. Take your aubergine wedges and salt well all over. Set aside for 1/2 hour. Set up a steamer and bring it to a simmer on the stove.
2. Meanwhile, make the marinade with the rest of the ingredients and mix well. Taste and adjust your seasonings - this should be a moderately hot, salty and very earthy dish.
3. Rinse the salt from the aubergine wedges and layer them into your steamer. Steam for 15 minutes to achieve a very soft and giving texture.
4. Remove the aubergine to a bowl and while still hot, pour over the marinade. Cover and let sit in the fridge for 8 hours to a day or more if you wish.
5. The next day, bring to room temperature and sprinkle over the cilantro when you are ready to eat it. *If the roasted sesame oil is too strong for your palate, blend it to taste with another oil.

aubergine, sesame oil, chilli saucesambal, garlic, light soya sauce, ground white pepper, handful

Taken from food52.com/recipes/21029-chinese-marinaded-aubergine (may not work)