Sous vide spiced aubergine with turmeric and coconut sauce, cashew butter and crispy kale

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Chantelle Nicholson's sous vide aubergine recipe is cooked with a host of aromatic spices and served with a rich, vibrant turmeric sauce. Cashew butter and kale crisps add richness and texture to the dish.

First published in 2017

Ingredients

Metric

Imperial

Kale crisps

Turmeric and coconut sauce

Cashew butter

  • 100g of cashew nuts, toasted
  • 100ml of warm water
  • salt

Equipment

  • Pestle and mortar
  • Water bath
  • Large vacuum bags
  • Bar sealer
  • Piping bags
  • High-power blender

Method

1
For the kale crisps, massage the oil into the leaves and season well with table salt. Microplane the cashew nuts over the kale and place in a dehydrator or 60°C oven overnight to crisp up
2
For the aubergine, preheat the water bath to 72°C
3
Place the coriander, fennel and cumin seeds in a dry frying pan over a moderate heat and toast until fragrant, lightly crush and mix with the olive oil
4
Halve the aubergines lengthways and score the flesh in a crisscross pattern. Season liberally with table salt and leave for 10 minutes. After 10 minutes, wipe away the salt and any excess moisture
5
Place the aubergines in 2 vacuum bags and add the spiced oil. Seal, being careful not to take all of the air out as you will crush the aubergines, and place in the water bath for 90 minutes
6
For the turmeric and coconut sauce, heat a dash of vegetable oil in a large saucepan. When hot, add all the ingredients apart from the coconut milk. Season well, cook for 10 minutes until lightly coloured then add the coconut milk
7
Simmer for 20 minutes then place in a blender and blitz until smooth. Pass through a fine sieve
8
For the cashew butter, place the cashew nuts in a blender, season well and add the warm water. Blend until smooth, adding a little more water if necessary. Transfer to a piping bag
  • salt
  • 100g of cashew nuts, toasted
  • 100ml of warm water
9
Remove the aubergines from the bags and season with a little sea salt and pepper
10
Plate the aubergines with dots of cashew butter, drizzles of turmeric sauce and pieces of crispy kale
First published in 2017

From New Zealand law student to the opening of her first solo sustainable restaurant Apricity (which won a Michelin green star in 2023), Chantelle Nicholson’s hard work and determination – especially in evolving free-from and plant-based cooking at the highest level – has cemented her reputation as one of the UK's most forward-thinking chefs.

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